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-OF— 



ST, JOSEPH SOUNTY, MI0HIGAN, 



CONTAINING 

Full Page Portraits and Biooraphical Sketches of Prominent 
and Representative Citizens of the County, 

TOGETHER WITH 

PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATE, AND 
OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



( UK A(i<): 

CHAPMAN BROTHERS. 
1 889 



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jrtE greatest of Knglisli hist'^rians, Macallev, an'l one of the most brilliant writers 
of the past cenliirj', has said : "The history of a countrj' is best tolfl in a record of the 
lives of its people." In conformity with this idea the Portrait and Biographical 
Ai.uuMof this count3' has been prepared. Instead of going to must}- records, and 
taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be a])preciated by but few, our 
corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their 
enterprise and industry, brought the county to a rank second to none among tho.«e 
comprising this great and noble fstate, and from their lips have the sU>ry of their life 
struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelli- 
"ent public. In this volume will be found a record of manj' whfjse lives are worthy the 
imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, bj- 
industry and economy- have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited 
a<lvant.iges for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an 
^ influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who 
i have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have 
become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and 
*'_, ,, records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of raanj% very 

many who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way," content 
to have it said of them as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "they have done what 
they could." It tells how that many in the priile and strength of young manhood left the plow and the 
anvil, the lawyer's ofBce and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and i)eace 
once more reio^ned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not 
be lost uixjn those who follow after. 

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact 
that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otherwise be 
inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible 
eiveu to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers flatter them- 
selves that thev give to their readers a work with few erroi-s of consequence. In addition t4)lhe biograph- 
ical sketches. portraiU of a number of representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the 
publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the 
information necess.ary to compile a sketch, while othere were indiflferent. Occasionally some member of 
the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested 
one would be withhehl. In a few instances men could never be found, t!>ough repealed calls were made 
at their residence or place of business. 

( 11 A I'M A.N BROS. 
Chic'aoo, Kebrii.nrv, I HH!*. 



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OF THE 



GOVERNORS OF MICHirxAN. 



AND OF THE 





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FIRST PRESIDENT. 



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HE Father of our Country was 
Vioxn in Westmorland Co., V'a., 
Feb. 22, 1732. His parents 
were .Augustine and Mary 
(Ball) Washington. The family 
to which he belonged has not 
been satisfactorily traced in 
England. His great-grand- 
father, John Washington, em- 
igrated to \'irginia about 1657, 
and became a prosiierous 
* planter. He had two sons, 
Lawrence and John. The 
former married Mildred Warner 
and had three children, John, 
Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
tine, the father of (leorge, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore 
him four children, two of whom, 
Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. (.)f six children by his 
second marriage, George was the 
eldest, the others being Betty, 
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 
and Mildred. 
Augustine Washington, the father of Ceorge, died 
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
and to George he left the parental residence. George 
received only such education as the neighborhood 
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
scliool. when he received private instruciion in 



^ 



inathematics, 



His spelling was rather defective. 



Remarkable stories are told of his great physical 
strength and development at an early age. He was 
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- 
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. 

When George was 1 4 years old he had a desire to go to 
sea, and a midshipman's warrant w.is secured for him, 
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was 
abandoned. Two years later he was ap|K)inted 
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In 
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
essential to him. In 175 i, though only 19 years of 
age, he was api)ointed adjutant with the rank of 
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
after this he sailed to the West Indies with liis brother 
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They 
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence 
died, leaving a large fortune tf) an infant daughter 
who did not long survive him. On her demise the 
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George. 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieuten- 
ant-CJovernor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was 
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro- 
ceed to the French [wst near Lake Erie in North- 
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed 
was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, 
and the journey was to be made witliout military 
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The 

a^ 




-^^ 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



4- 



trip was a perilous one, and several rimes he came near 
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
a full and useful re[x>rt of iiis exijedition. A regiment 
of 300 men was raised in \"irginia and put in com- 
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
tiien begun against the French and Indians, in which 
Washington took a most important part. In the 
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
dock's defeat, Washington Wi;s almost the only officer 
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock 
vvere disabled early in the action, and Wasliington 
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
to his brother he says : "I had four bullets through 
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
unhurt, though death was levelin" my companions 
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was 
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
him. 

.\fter having been five years in the military service, 
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
took advantage of the fall of Fort Duiii.esne and the 
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
10 resign his commission. Soon after he entered the 
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an 
active and imiwrtant part. January 17, J759, he 
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy 
widow of John Parke Custis. 

When the British Parliament had closed the port 
'if Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
deli)hia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, 
peaceably if ix)ssible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
cord and Lexington had been fought. .Xmong the 
first acts of this Congress was the election of a com- 
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
res]x)nsible office was conferred u|)on \V'ashington, 
who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted 
it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he 
receive no sal.iry. He would keep nn exact account 
of expenses and expect Congress lo pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
trace the military acts of Washington, lo whom th-j 
foftiuies and lilierties of the people of this country 
were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
him under every possible disadvantage, and while his 
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame ever>- 
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion 
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
nation of c.irth. On Dec. 2^, 17S3. Washington, in 
a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his 



commission as commander-in-chief of the array to 
to the Continental Congress sitting at .\nnajxjlis. He 
retired immediately to Mount \'ernon and resumed 
his occuiv.tion as a farmer and planter, shunning all 
connection with public lilc. 

In Febriiary,i789, Washington was unanimously 
elected President. In his piesidential career ht was 
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new 
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part 
of other governments; trials from want of harmony 
between the different sections of our own country; 
trials from the imix)verished condition of the country, 
ownig to the war and want of credit; trials from the 
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and 
while perhaps this alone kept our government from 
sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to 
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
very annoying. 

.\t the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of Manh, 
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
his few remaining yeais free from the annoyances of 
public life. Later in the year, however, his re|K)se 
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France. 
\x the i)rospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superinter.dcd from his 
home. In accepting the command he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the lield until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
his life was suddenly cut off. December i 2, he took 
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
in h's throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
teenth his l)ody was borne wi'h military honors to its 
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at 
Mount Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to 
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
miration. The more we see of the operations of 
our government, and the more deeply we feel the 
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a ccanmon interest, 
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
ent and character, which have been able to challenge 
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na- 
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits 
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
be as lasting as the existence of man. 

The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect 
and well proiX)rtioned. His muscular strength was 
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry. 
He commanded respect without any appearance of 
haughtiness, and ever serious without being dull. 




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SECOND PRESIDENT. 



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•^ OUN ADAMS, the second 
<:''jj ['resident and the first Vice- 
^••■' v.- , (siT'/3 I fe^ Jr President of the United Slates, 
f) was born in Braintree ( now 
^ Quincy ),Mass., and about ten 
■^ miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 
1735. His great-grandfather, Henry 
Adams, emigrated from England 
about 1640, with a family of eight 
sons, and settled at Braintree. The 
parents of John were Jolin and 
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
father was a farmer of limited 
means, to which he added the bus- 
iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
tion at Harvard College. John 
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
"school of affliction," from which he endeavored to 
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of 1 iw. For this |)ur|)0se he placed himself 
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
had thought seriously of the clerical profession 
but seems to have been turned from this by what he 
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
cils, of dial)olical malice, and Calvanlstic good nature,'' 
of tlic oi>erations of which he had been a witness in 
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
profession, jxjssessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- 
tive lowers. He gradually gained |)ractice, and in 
1764 married .\bigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, (1765), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
tion turned him from law to politics. He took initial 
steps towarcj holding a town meeting, and the resolu- 



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lions he olTcrtd on the subject became very (opulat 
throughout the I'rovmce, and were adoi)ted word for 
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- 
ton in 176S, and became one of the most courageous 
and prominent advocaiesof tlie jiopular cause, and 
was chosen a member of the General Court (the I.eg- 
lislature) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates 
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, 
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himself 
by his capacity for business and for deljate, and ad- 
vocated the movement for independence against the 
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved 
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
should assume the duties of self-government. He 
was a prominent member of the committee of five 
appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
on .Adams devolved the task of battling it through 
Congress in a three days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the 
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a tetter to his wife, 
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated 
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the 
greatest question was decided that ever was debated 
in .America; and greater, i>erhaps, never was or will 
be decided among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
jiendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of 
July, 1776, will be a memorable e|xx:h in the history 
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversar^' 
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to .Mmighty 
God. It ought to be solemnized with ix)mp, shows, 



h 



^•►Hh-* 



24 



JOHN ADAMS. 



games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
from one end of the continent to the other, from this 
time forward for ever. Vou will think mc transiwrted 
with entliusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of 
the toil, and blood uid treasure, that it will cost to 
maintain this declaration, and supjiorl and defend 
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the 
rays of light and glory. 1 can see that the end is 
worth more than all the meaiis; and that ijosterity 
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I 
hope we shall not." 

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a 
delegate to France and lo co-operate with Bemjamin 
P'ranklin and .\rlhur Lee, wlio were then in Paris, in 
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
from the French Government. 'I'his was a severe trial 
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and e.\- 
jwsed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- 
ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. In September of the saiue year he was again 
cliosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- 
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
might be found willing to listen to such pioposels. He 
sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
HiiUand, where lie negotiated imi>ortant loans and 
formed important commercial treaties 

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
toil and an.xiety through which Mr. .\danis had passed 
threw him into a fever. After siifTering from a con- 
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
was advised to goto England to drink the waters of 
Bath. While in England, still droo[)inganddesixmd- 
ing, he received dispatches from his own government 
urging the necessity of his going to .Vmsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot, he made the trip. 

February 24, 17S5. Congress apix)inted Mr. .'\dams 
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
condescend to apix)int a minister to the United 
States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- 
plishing but little, he sought ]5ermission to return to 
his own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, John 
.\(lams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at 
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President, .\gain 
at tlie second election of Washington as President, 
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, W'ash- 
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
elected President, though not without much opposition. 
Serving in this office four years,he was succeeded by 
Mr. Jeflferson, his opponent in politics. 

While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 



French Revolution shook the continent of Euro]>e, 
and it was uixjn this point which he was at issue with 
the majority of liis countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
Mr. .\dams felt no symi)athy with the French people 
in their struggle, for he had no conlidcnce in their 
power of sell-government, and he utterly abhored the 
classof atheist piiilosophers wlio he claimed caused it. 
On the other h.ind Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in beh.iif of the French people. Hence or- 
iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon orgai.- 
ized, .\dainS at the head of the one whose sympathies 
were with England and Jefferson led the other in 
sympathy with France. 

The worid has seldom seen a sfiectacle of more 
moral beauty and grandeur, than was [iresentedby the 
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling 
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just 
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
after death. No one could look ujwn his venerable 
form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
and how he had given itp all the prime and strength 
of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
institution which he had been so active in creating and 
supiwrting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled 
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
station in the gift of the people. 

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half 
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
earth to hail its morning light. And, as. it is 
well known, on that day two of these finished their 
earthly pilgrim?ge, a coincidence so remarkable as 
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning 
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from 
his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
dependence FOREVER." When the day was ushered 
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
he was asked by one of his ;:ttendants if he knew 
what day it was.' He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all." 
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- 
signed his s]iitit into the bands of his God. 

The personal appearance and manners of Mr. 
.■\dams were not particularly pre|X)ssessinp. His face, 
as his ]X)rtrait nianifests,was intellectual ard expres- 
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his 
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous. 
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor 
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked 
the manners and address of Jefferson. 



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FIOMAS JEFFERSON was 
born April 2, 1743, at Shad- 
•'«cll, All)ermarle county, Va. 
His parents were Peter and 
Jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
the former a native of Wales, 
and the latter born in Lon- 
don. To them were born six 
daughters and two sons, of 
whom Thomas was the elder. 
When 14 years of age his 
father died. He received a 
most liberal education, hav- 
ing been kept diligently at school 
from the time he was five years of 
age. In 1760 he entered William 
and Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
of the Colonial Court, and it was the oIkhIc of fashion 
a.id splendor. V'oiing Jefferson, who was then 17 
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine 
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yei he 
was earnestly devoted lo his studies, and irreproacha- 
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
such inlli;ences,that he was not ruined. In the sec- 
ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
previously given much time. He often devo'.ed filteen 
hours a day to haid study, allowing himself for ex- 
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out 
of the city and back again. He thus attained very 
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
])hy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and 
Greek authors he read wi'.h facility. A more finished 
scholar ha= seldom cone forth from collci;eh.nlls: and 





there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
more pureminded, ujjright, gentlemanly young man. 

Immediately uixm leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
resistance of tiie -American Colonies, and the enlarged 
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
him into active [xjlitical life. In 1769 he was chosen 
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow. 

Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, there 
was a majestic swell of land, called .Monlicello, which 
commanded a jirospec t of wonderful extent and 
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new 
home; and here he reared a m.msion of modest yet 
elegant architecture, which, next to .Mount Vernon, 
I)ecame the most distinguished resort in our land. 

In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress, 
where, though a .silent member, his abilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
was placed uiwn a number of im|X)rtant committees, 
and was chairman of the one apixjinted for the draw- 
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- 
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger .Sherman and Robert K. 
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was apjwinted 
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were m.ade 
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 
4, 1776. What must have been the feelir.gN of that 



.► i r^ 



L, 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



\ 



man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
who was charged with tlie preparation of that dec- 
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
America, was also to publish her to the world, free, 
fcovcrign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort 
of tlie mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
sufficient to stamj) his name with immortality. 

In 1779 Mr. jetTerson was elected successor to 
Patrick Henry, ;.s Governor of Virginia. Atone time 
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
Monticello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
sion of tlic British troops. His wife's health, never 
very good, was much injured by this excitement, and 
in the summer of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
Two yeirs later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
Jan. I, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
dent, and four years later was elected President over 
Mr. Adams, with .\aron Burr as Vice President. In 
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
and George Clinton, Vice President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
tranquility and peace of the Union ; this was the con- 
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our 
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
a new republic. This has been generally supposed 
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been 
generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous 
character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined 
to retire from [wlitical life. For a period of nearly 
forty years, he had been continually before the i)ub- 
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of 
the greatest trust and resjxjnsibility. Having thus de- 
voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
declining years reiiuired, and ujwn the organization of 
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- 
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. 

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole 
families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a 
fashionable watering-plare. 

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- 



sary of the Declaration of American Independence, 
great preparations were made in every part of tht 
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnii) 
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer. 
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- 
tion, to participate in their testivities. But an ill- 
ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and 
had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
decline the invitation. 

On the second of July, the disease under which 
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants, entertained no 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was jxirfectly 
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next 
d;iy, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was 
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish that 
he might be permitted to breathe the airof the fiftieth 
anniversary-. His prayer was heard — that day, whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, 
burst uix)n his eyes, and then they were closed for- 
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble 
life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - 
the day which his own name and his own act had 
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. 

-Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred s])irit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of 
freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- 
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
animated their desjxjnding countrymen; for half a 
century they had lalxjred together for tne good of 
the country; and now hand in hand they depart. 
In their lives they had been united in the same great 
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
divided. 

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became 
white andsilverj'; his comi)L'xion was fair, his fore 
head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and 
thoughtful. He jxissessed great fortitude of mind as 
well as personal courage ; and his command of tem- 
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- 
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
all found at his ho\ise a re.ndy welcome. In conver- 
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic; and 
his language was remartcably pure and correct. He 
was a finished classic.d schol.Tr. and in his writings is 
discernable the care wiih which he formed his style 
ujxjn the best models of antiquity. 

■ » 




J^ (Z/0(y<-^ j(yCC i*A.A^^ c^K 



u 



FOURTH PR EVIDENT. 



3« 




pn]ES n]7iDisoi]. 




AMES MADISON, "Father 
|>\ of tlic Constitution," and tburth 
, President of the United States, 
O- X ^vas born March i6, 1757, and 
'--^\ died at his home in N'irginia, 
/^^ June 28, 1836. Tlie name of 
James Madison is inseiiarabl) con- 
nected with most of tlie inijxjrtant 
events in that heroic period of our 
coimtry during which the founda- 
tions of this great re\)ublic were 
laid. He was the last of the founders 
of the Constitution of the United 
States to ))e called to his eternal 
reward. 

The Madison family were among 
the early emigrants to the New World, 
landing uikju the shores of the Chesa- 
l)eake but 15 years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of 
James Madison was an opulent 
, planter, residing \\\io\\ a very fine es- 
tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co., 
Va. The mansion was situated in 
tile midst of scenery higiily pictur- 
esque and romantic, on the west side 
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of 
It was but 25 miles from the home of 
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and 
lohtical attachment existed between these illustrious 
men, from their early youth until death. 

riie early education of Mr. Madison was conducted 
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
Here he applied himsi-lf to study with the most im- 



Blue Ridge. 



prudent zeal ; allowing himself, for months, but three 
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble 
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a 
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
which embellislied and gave proficiency to his subsf 
quent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
law and a courseof extensive and systematic reading. 
This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
which he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work of 
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that 
his life was not to lie long, he diiected es|)ecial atten- 
tion to theological studies. P'.ndowed with a mind 
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with 
almost unequalled jxjwers of reasoning, he weighed 
all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
until his faith became so established as never to 
be shaken. 

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
(1777), he was a candidate for the General .Assembly. 
He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and 
consequently lost his election ; but those who had 
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the 
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
and he was ap|X)inled to the Executive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
Ciovernors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his 



•^1^^ 



32 



JAMES MADISOI^. 



4^ 



intclleclual, social and moral worth, contributed not 
a little to his subsequent enunence. In the year 
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
our hind, and he was imniedialely assigned to one of 
the most consijicuous positions among them. 

For tliree years Mr. Madison continued in Con- 
gress, one of its most active and inlluential members. 
In the year 17S4, his term having expired, he was 
elected a member of tlie \'irginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply tlian Mr. Madison the 
utter inelhciency of the old confederacy, with no na- 
tional government, with no jxiwer to form treaties 
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in 
the declaration, that an efficient national government 
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
carried a resolution througli the General Assembly of 
Virginia, inviting the other States to apix)int commis- 
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
this subject. Five States only were represented. 'l"he 
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
by Mr. Madison, urgmg all the .States to send their 
delegates to Piiiladelphia, in May, 1787, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
the time apiwinted. Every State but Rhode Island 
was represented. George Washington was chosen 
president of the convention; and the present Consti- 
tution of the United States was then and there formed. 
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more- ac- 
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
and the pen of James Madison. 

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was 
to be presented to the several .States for acceptance. 
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
States, with but little jjower at home and little respect 
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- 
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United 
States, exjiounding the principles of the Constitution, 
and urging its adoption. There was great opixjsition 
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in 
New V'ork attending Congress, he met Mrs Todd, a 
young widow of remarkable ]X)wer of fascination, 
whom he married. She was in person and character 
iiueenly, and proliably no lady has thus far occu|)ied 
so prominent a |)osition in the very peculiar society 
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
Madison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of F.ngland h.id brought us to tlie verge of war. 



British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and 
our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiiing 
in his dis[X3sition, war had no charms for him. But the 
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blouil 
boil, even now, to think of an .•\merican ship brought 
to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. 
.\ young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
crew to be paraded before him. \\'itii great nonchal- 
ance lie selects any number whom he may please to 
designate as Britisli subjects ; orders them down the 
ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun- 
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
battles of England. This right of search and im- 
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
tiie British cabinet to relintpiisji. 

On the i8th of June, 181 2, President Madison gave 
his ap])roval to an act of Congress declaring war 
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th 
of March, IS' 1 3, was re-elected by a large majority, 
and entered u|>on his second term of office. This is 
not the place to describe the various adventures of 
this war on the land and on the water. Our infant 
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
jiling wiih the most formidable power which ever 
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in Febriiaiy, 
1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
coast of the United States under blockade. 

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me 
ditator. .Vmerica acce|)ted ; F2ngland refused. A Brit- 
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
of the Patu.xet River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- 
burg, \\\)o\\ Washington. 

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the 
metro]X)lis. The wliole |)opulation fled from the city. 
The President, leaving Sirs. Madison in tlie White 
House, with her carriage drawn up at the door to 
await his sjieedy return, hurried to meet the officers 
in a council of war He met our troops utterly routed, 
and he could not go back without danger of being 
captured. But few liours elapsed ere the Prcsideiiti.il 
Mansion, the Capitol, ar.d all the jjublic buildings in 
Washington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on 
Feb. 13, 18 1 5, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of 
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his heau- 
tit'ul home at Montpelier, and there jiassed the re- 
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at tlie 
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
son died July 12, 1849. 

— ■► 




-^ 





^"z^ 



■♦- 



PIFTH PRESIDENT. 



35 



i^ 




AJ^f /'>.\>^^S^_ 






-^t»i 



' >^ 







'^eisr^ j\'^ 






AMES MONROE, the fifth 
I'residentof The United States, 
was born in Westmoreland Co., 
\'a., April 28, 1758. His early 
life was passed at the place of 
nativity. His ancestors had for 
many years resided in the prov- 
ince in which he was born. When, 
i\ at 17 years of age, in the process 
S» of completing his education at 
William and Mary College, the Co- 
lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
delphia to deliberate \x\K)n the un- 
just and manifold oppressions of 
(Ireat Britian. declared the separa- 
tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Had he been Iwm ten years before it is highly 
probable that he would have been one of the signers 
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
school and enlisted among the patriots. 

He joined the army when everything looked hope- 
less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased 
from day to day. The invading armies came [xjuring 
in; and the tories not only favored the cause of the 
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- 
tending with an enemy whom they had been taught 
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
iliOiculty and danger, the United States owe their 
|iolitical emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
ranks, and esjioused the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm delcrmination to live or die with her strife 



for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- 
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White 
Plains, and accomjianied the dispirited army as it fled 
before its foes through New Jersey. In four mimths 
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- 
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left 
shoulder. 

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was j^ro- 
moted a captain of infantry ; and, having recovered 
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an 
officer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam- 
paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy 
wine, Cermantown and Monmouth, he continued 
aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his 
ixjsition in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Uijon 
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
but on the invasions of the enemy, sen-ed as a volun- 
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 

In 17S2, he was elected from King George county, 
a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by that 
lK)dy he was elevated to a seat in the Executive 
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence 
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
at this early period displayed some of that ability 
and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards 
employed with unremitting energy for the public good, ' 



i 



i 



4^ 
36 



JAMES MONROE. 



lie was in the succeeding year cliosen a member of 
ihc'Qjngress of the United States. 
Decplyas Mr. Monioefelt the imperfectionsof theold 
Confederacy, he was opixjsed to tlie new Constitution, 
-hinking, with many others of the Republican party, 
'.hat it gave too much iwwcr to the Central Government, 
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
supporters, and wlio, notwithstanding his opposition 
secured its adoption. In 17S9, he became a member 
of the United States Senate; which office he held for 
four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep- 
arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the 
Central Government as little power, and the State 
Governments as much ixjwer, as the Constitution would 
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England, 
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much jMwer to the 
Central Government as that document could possibly 
authorize. 

The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and 
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In 
building up this majestic nation, which is destined 
to eclipse all Grecian and .\ssy riau greatness, the com- 
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- 
nounced as almost a demon. 

Washington was then President. England had es- 
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
tween these contending powers. France had hel|)ed 
us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms 
of Europe were now combined to prevent the French 
from escaping from a tyramiy a thousand-fold worse 
than that which we had endured Col. Monroe, more 
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
and noble nature. He violently ojjjwsed the Pres- 
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could apnreciate such a character, 
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
nouncing the jxjlicy of the Government, as the minister 
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. 



Shortly after his return to this countrj', Mr. Mon- 
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
office for three yeais. He was again sent to France to 
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
the vast territory then known as the Province of 
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
tained from Spain. Tneir united elTorts were suc- 
cessful. For the comparatively small smn of fifteen 
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and 
district of Louisiana were added to the United States. 
This was probably the largest transfer of real estate 
which wases'er made in all the historj- of the world 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
tain from that coimtr)' some recognition of our 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
odious impressments of our seamen. but FLng- 
land was unrelenting. He agam returned to F^ng- 
land on the same mission, but could receive no 
redress. He returned to his home and was again 
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned 
to accept the jxisitioii of Secretary of State tmder 
Madison. While in tliis office war with England was 
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
these trjing times, the duties of the War Department 
were also put uiKjn him. He was truly the armor- 
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
business man in his cabinet. Ujxjn the return ot 
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- 
piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. .\t the elci - 
tion held the ])revious autmnn Mr. Monroe himself had 
been chosen President with but little op[X)silion, and 
uiwn March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four years 
later he was elected for a second term. 

Among the important measures of his Presidency 
were the cession of F'loinda to the United -States; the 
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.'' 

This famous doctrine, since known as the "Monroe 
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. .\t that 
time the United Stales had recognized the indc[)end- 
ence of the South American st;ites. and did not wish 
to have European |K)wers longer attempting to sub- 
due [wrtions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
is as follows: "That we should lonsider any attempt 
on the part of F^uropean |X)wers to extend their sys- 
tem to any j)ortion of this hemisjdiere as dangerous 
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
view any interposition for the purjxjse of oppressing 
or controlling American governments or provinces in 
any other light than as a manifestation by European 
ixjwers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United 
St^ites." This doctrine immediately afTectcd the course 
of foreign governments, and has become the approved 
sentiment of the United States. 

.\t the end of his fecond term Mr Monroe retired 
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830, 
when he went to New York to live with his son-in- 
law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831. 




■■J 



5. 5, Ai 



curt\i 



A^ 



S/X TH PRESIDENT. 



39 , [ 

















!^::::-+ 



%^ 



,3 




OHM QUINCY ADAMS, the 
sixth President of the United 
^States, was lx)rn in the rural 
lionie of his honored father, 
John Adams, in Qaincy, Mass., 
on tlie I ith cf July, 1767. His 
mother, a woman of exalted 
worth, watched over his childhood 
during the almost constant ab- 
sence of his father. When hut 
eight years of age, he stood with 
' his niother on an eminence, listen- 
ing to the hoouiing of the great hat- 
tie on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
upon the smoke and flames billow- 
ing up from the conflagration of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven years old he 
took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
to sail with his fainer for Eurojie, 
through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. The bright, 
animated lioy sjient a year and a half in I'aiis, where 
his fitlier was associated with P'ranklin and Lee as 
Mimisier pleniiwtentiary. His intelligence attracted 
I he notice of these distinguished men, and he received 
from them flattering marks of attention. 

.Mr. John Adams h.id scarcely returned to this 
country, in 1779, ere he was againsent abroad Again 
John (^uincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
applied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
to study; then accompained his father to Holland, 
where he entered, first a school in .\msterdam, then 
the I'niversity at I.eyden. Alxjut a year from this 
time, in 1781, when the manly l.oy was but fourteen 
years of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- 
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretarj'. 

In this school of incessant lalx>r and of enobling 
rulture he s|>ent fourteen months, and then returned 
to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the 
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Aeain he resumed 
his studies, under a private tutor, at Hague. Thence, 



I in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father to 
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance 
with the most distinguished men on the Con;incnt; 
examining arciiitectural remains, galleries of paintings, 
and all renowned works of art. At I'aris he again 
became associated with the most illustrious men of 
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest tem|X)ral 
themes which can engross the human mind. After 
a short visit to Kiigland he returned to Paris, and 

i consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, 
when he returned to .America. To a l>rilliant young 
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world, 

i and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a 
residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive; 
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- 
ferred to return to .America to complete his education 
in an .American college. He wished then to study 
law, that with an honorable profession, he might be 
able to obtain an inde[)endent support. 

Ujxjn leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty, 
he studied law fur thiee years. In June, 1794, be- 
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
]x>inted by Washington, resident minister at the 
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
Ixjndon in f)ctober. where he was immediately admit- 
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney, 
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
(iieat Britian. After thus sfiending a fortnight in 
Ix)ndon, he proceeded to the Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as 
minister pleni]X)icniiary. On his way to Portugal, 
ufjon arriving in London, he met with des[«atches 
directing him to the court of Berlin, but requesting 
him to remain in London until he should receive his 
instructions. \\hile w.niting he was mairied to an 
American l.ndy to whom he had been ))reviously en- 
gaged, — M'ss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter 
of Mr. Joshua Johnson. American consul in London; 
a lady endownd with that bt;auty and those accom- 
]ilishment which eminently filled her to move in the 
elevated sphere for which she was destined. 



I 



■•► 



V 



•>-HI^ 



40 



JOHN QUtNCV ADAMS. 



He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
where he remained until July, 1799, when, havingful- 
filled all the puriwsc.s ot his mission, he soHcited his 
recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
from the 4tii of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
ability and his experience, placed him immediately 
among the most prominent and influential members 
ofthatlwdy. Esi)ecially did he sustain the Govern- 
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
familiar with tlie arrogance of the British court upon 
these jxaints, and no one more resolved to present 
a firm resistance. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John 
Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- 
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
at Boston, in August, 1809. 

Wliile in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
European system of weights, measures, and coins; to 
the climate and astronomical observations; while he 
Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a 
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
All through life the Bible constituted an imixirtar.t 
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five 
chapters every day. 

On the 4th of March, 1S17, Mr. Monroe took the 
Presidential chair, and immediately ap|)ointed Mr. 
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
sailed in June, 1819, forthe United States. On the 
i8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
home in Quincy. During the eight yearsof .Mr. Mon- 
roe's administration, Mr Adams continued Secretary 
of State. 

Some time l)efore the close of Mr. Monroe's second 
term of offii e, new candidates began to l)e presented 
forthe Presidency. The friends of Mr. .Adams brought 
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
sixty electoral votes were cast. .Andrew Jackson re- 
ceived ninety nine; John Quincy .\dams, eiglity-four; 
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
seven. As there was no choice by the people, the 
fpiestion wer.t to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
he was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
combined in a venomous and persistent assault Ujxin 
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
the past history of our country than the abuse whi< h 



was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per- 
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- 
lously and outrageously assailed. 

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
early, and taking much exercise. W hen at his home in 
Quincy, he lias been known to walk, before breakfast, 
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said 
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his 
own fire and applying himself to work in his library 
often long before dawn. 

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by .Andrew 
Jackson. John C. Callioun was elected \"ice I'resi- , 
dent. The slavery question now began to assume 
|X)rlentous magnitude. Mr. .Adams returned to 
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un- 
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
sentative, towering above all his [leers, ever ready to 
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
"the old man eloquent." Ujwn taking his seat in 
the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to 
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The 
battle wiiich Mr. .Adams fought, almost singly, against 
the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime 
in Its moral daiing and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, 
with expulsion from the Houee, with assassination ; 
but no threats could intimidate him, and h.is final 
triumph was complete. 

It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
fourscore yeais, yielding 10 the simple faith of a little 
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before 
he slept, the pra)er which his mother taught him in 
his infant years. 

On the 2istof February, 1848, he rose on the floor 
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly- 
sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. 
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around ar.d 
said " T/iis is the cndof earth .-"then after a moment's 
pause he add. 'd, '''' I am content" These were the 
last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent." 

•► 



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SEIENTH FRESIJjENT. 



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NDREW JACKSON, the 
seventh President of the 
' United States, was born .in 
Waxhaw settlement, N. (J., 
March 15, 1767, a few days 
after liis father's death. His 
parents were (xxjr emigrants 
from Ireland, and took up 
their abode in Waxhaw set- 
tlement, where they lived in 
deepest iwverty. 
Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
universally called, grew up a very 
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form un- 
gainly; and there was but very 
little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
tractive. 

Wlien only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
17S1, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
ordered him to brush his mud-siiattered boots. " I am 
a i)risoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
the dauntless boy. 

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate 
blow at the head of the helpless young j)risoner. 
.\ndrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
ful gashes, — one on the hand and the other ujwn the 
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite 
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
were finally stricken with the small-jjox. Their 
mother was successful in obtaining their exchange, 



i~ 



and took her sick boys home, .\fter a long illness 
.\ndrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon 
left him entirely friendless. 

Andrew supiwrted hiinself in various ways, such as 
working at the saddler's tr.ide, teaching school and 
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he 
entered a law olfice at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the 
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was apixjinted 
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of 
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear, 
and tlie Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish 
witn the Sharp Knife. 

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
supixjsed herself divorced from her former husband. 
Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later, 
to find that tiie conditionsof the divorce had just been 
definitely settled by the first husi)and. The marriage 
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- 
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. 
Jackson into disfavor. 

During these years he worked hard at his profes- 
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In January. 1796, the Territor)' of Tennessee then 
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the 
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- 
stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven 
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates. 
The new State was entitled to but one nieml er in 
the National House of Representatives. .Andrew Jack- 
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
rode to Philedclphia, where Congress then held its 



•¥^-if^ 



1 



,t 



44 



ANDRE W JACKSON. 




sessions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
cratic purty. Jefferson was his idol. He admired 
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
Jackson took his seat, Gon. Washington, whose 
second term of office was then e.vpi;ii;g, delivered his 
last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a 
com[)linientary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
did not approve of the address, and was one of the 
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to 
say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
" wise, firm and patriotic." 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in r797, but soon resigned and returned home. 
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court 
of his State, which \x)sition he held fjr si.\ years. 

When the war of 1812 witii tireat Britian com- 
menced, Madison occupied tiie Presidential chair. 
Aaron B irr sent word to the President that there was 
an unknown man in the West, .\ndrew Jackson, who 
would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
ferred ujxjn him. Just at that time (ien. Jackson 
offered his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troo[)s 
were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly expected to make an at- 
tack uiwn New Orleans, where Gen Wilkinson was 
in command, lie was ordered to descend the river 
with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The 
expedition reached Natchez; and afteradelay of sev- 
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the 
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
golden opinions ; and he became the most popular 
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory." 

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. 
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in 
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
lingering vii)on a l)ed of suffering news came that the 
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- 
tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
a sling, and unable to moimt his horse without assis- 
tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Favettesville, .-Mabama. 

The Creek Indians jiad established a strong fort on 
one of the bends of theTallaiX)osa River, near the cen- 
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. 
With an army of two thousand men. Gen. Jackson 
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
dnys. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or 
Horse-shoe, on «hc 27th of March. 1814. The bend 



of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of 
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow 
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast- 
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
with an ample suplyof arms were assembled. 

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- 
perate. Not an Indian would accept of (luarter. When 
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the 
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
they swam. Nearly even,- one of the nine hundred war- 
rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
l)ower of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold 
plunge into the wilderness, with its territfic slaughter, 
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants 
of the bands caiue to the camp, begging for peace. 

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
centrate all our militia ujwn the British, who were the 
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
was apix)inted major-general. 

Late in .\ugust, with an army of two thousand 
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to 
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
a force uixjn the beach, anchored near the little fort, 
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious 
assault The battle was long and doubtful. At length 
one of the shijjs was blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
.\nd the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, 
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his 
troops, which numbered about four thousand men, 
won a signal victory over the British army of about 
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the 
loss of the British was two thousand six hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected 
for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he 
assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of 
her death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of the most memorable 
in the annals of our countn,'; applauded by one party, 
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
enemies or warmer friends. .\\. the expiration of his 
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
he died lune 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
son's life were th^t of a devoted Christian man. 



i 



I 




O > ^y^U'e^ ^^i^J U^L,€.^^.<L-^ 



-4•■ 



EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 



■«»- 



47 







■••■^i^>i^ 







e^^•) 




3 



AKTIN' VA\ HU REN, the 
eighth President of the 
L'nited States, was born at 
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
1782. He died at the same 
[>lace, July 24, 1862. His 
body rests in the cemetery 
at Kinderhook. Above it is 
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet 
high, bearing a simple inscription 
about half way up on one face. 
The lot is unfenced, unbordered 
or unbounded by shrub or flower. 

There is but little in the life of Martin Van Buren 
of rxjmantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in 
ixilitical and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those 
incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and exemplary piety. 

He was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. .At the 
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
in his native village, and commenced the study of 
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
years of study in a law-office were reipiired of him 
before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with 
a lofiy ambition, and conscious of his [wwers, he |)ur- 
sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After 
ijending six yeirs in an office in his native village. 



he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his 
studies for the seveniii year. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of 
age, commenced tlie practice of law in his native vil- 
lage. The great conflict between the I-ederal and 
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. ^'an 
Buren was from the beginning a jKjlitician. He had, 
perhaps, imbibed that si)irit while listening to the 
many discussions which had been earned on in his 
father's hotel. He was in cordial symi)nthy with 
Jefferson, and earnestly and elotpiently espoused the 
cause of State Rights; though at that time the I-ed- 
eral party held the supremacy both in his town 
and State. 

His success and increasing ruputation led him 
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, th.; 
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years 
constantly gaining strength by contending in tlu 
courts with some of the ablest men who have .adorned 
the bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
beauty and accomplishments. .After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump- 
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep over 
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was 
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record 
of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
In 181 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
the State Senate, and uave his strenuous sup|x)rt to 
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was ai>- 
pointed Attorney-Cieneral, and the next year moved 
to Albany, the capital of the State. 

While he was .ncknowledged as one of the most 
jKomiiient leaders of the Democratic party, he h^d 



:?^rf-^ 



48 



■•► 



MARTIN VAN BUHEN. 



the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that " universal suffrage" which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
governing the State. In true consistency with his 
democratic principles, he contended that, while the 
path leading to the privilege of voting should be open 
to every man without distinction, no one should be 
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
and some property interests in the welfare of the 
State. 

In 182 I he was elected a nrember of the United 
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
native State. His course in this convention secured 
the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
interests of all classes in the community. In the 
Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a 
conspicuous ixjsition as an active and useful legislator. 

In 1S27, John Quincy Adams being then in the 
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Biiren was re-elected to 
the Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
termined opposer of the .Administration, adojiting the 
"State Rights" view in opposition to what was 
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. .\danis. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen (iovernorof 
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether 
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
garded throughout the United States as one of the 
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians. 
It was supjKJsed that no one knew so well as he how 
to touch the secret springs of action; how to pull all 
the wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to 
organize a jwlitical army which would, secretly and 
stealthily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
these ]X)wers it is said that he outv.'itted Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
few thought then could be accomplished. 

When Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
apiK-inted Mr. Van Buren Secretary of Stale. This 
position he resigned in 1831, a-id was immediately 
appointed Minister to England, where he went the 
stFtie autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
refused to ratify the nomination, and he leturned 



•►^h^-l?: 



home, apparently untroubled ; was nominated Vice 
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election 
of President Jackson; and with smiles for all and 
frowns for none, he took his place at the head of that 
Senate which had refused to confinn his nomination 
as ambassador. 

His rejection by the Senate roused al! the zeal of 
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- 
ite ; and this, probably more than any other cause, 
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu- 
tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- 
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
Jackson as President of the United States. He was 
elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the 
retiring President. " Leaving New York out o'i the 
canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. \'an 
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred 
upon him the jxjwer to appoint a successor." 

His administration was filled with exciting events. 
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in 
volve this country in war with England, the agitation 
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- 
cial panic which spread over the country, all were 
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
and brought the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of re-election. 

With the exception of being nominated for the 
Presidency by the " Free Soil " Democrats, in 1 848, 
Mr. Van Buren lived cpiietlv u[x>n his estate until 
his death. 

He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, 
and living within his income, had now fortunately a 
competence for his declining years. His unblemished 
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
patriotism, and the distinguished iwsitions which he 
had occupied in the government of our country, se- 
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
the presidency. From his fine estate at I.indenwald, 
he still exerted a jxjwerful influence upon theix)litics 
of the countr)^ From this time until his death, on 
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old 
age, probably far more happiness than he had before 
experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life. 




yCtJ'. //r ^^^^aA.^T'^^ 



» I I <•• 



NINTH PRESIDENT. 



< < 4 




%y:: 




"^(mAmi H^ENini m4imii(Mi. 







T 



ILIJAM HKNRV HARRI- 
SON', the iiiiitli I'resiiieiU ot 
the United States, was born 
at licikeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 
His fatiier, Benjamin Harri- 
son, was in comparatively op- 
ulent circumstances, and was 
one of the most distinguished 
men of his day. He was an 
intimate friend of George 
Washington, w as early elected 
a member of the Continental 
Congress, and was conspicuous 
among the patriots of Virginia in 
resisting the encroachments of the 
British crown. In the celebrated 
t'ongress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
rison and John Hancock were 
both candidates for the office of 
speaker. 

Mr Harrison was subsequently 
chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
was twice re-elected. His son, 
William Henry, of course enjoyed 
in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough common-school education, he 
entered Hamixlen Sidney College, where he graduated 
with honor soon after the death of his father. He 
then repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under 
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
Robert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

U|X3n the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he 
abandoned his medical studies and entered the army, 
havinp obt.Tined a commission of Ensign from Presi- 




dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old. 
From that time lie passed gradually upward in rank 
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose 
death lie resigned his connnission. He was then ai)- 
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
Territory ^as then entitled to but one member in 
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
position. 

In the spring of iSoo the North-western Territory 
was divided by Congress into two [wrtions. The 
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced 
in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory 
north-west of tlie Ohio." Tiie western [lorlion, which 
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil- 
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was a]>- 
IXjinted by John .\dams. Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
extensive a realm as any sovereign uixjn the globe. He 
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
vested with jxjwers nearly dictatorial over the now 
rapidly increasing white population. The aliility and 
fidelity with whiih he discharged these res|>onsible 
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four 
times appointed to this office — first by John Adams, 
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- 
dent Madison. 

When he began his adminstration there were but 
three white settlementsin that almost boimdless region, 
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the 
tumult of wealth and traffic. Oneof these settlements 
was on the Ohio, nearly ojiposite Louisville; one at 
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the thiid a French 
settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison 
reigned was filled with manv tribes of Indian.^ .About 



52 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



" ■i r^ M 



-t 



the year 1806, two extraordinary mer, twin brothers, 
of the Shawnesc tribe, rose among theni. One of 
these was tailed Tecuniseh, or " The Crouching 
Panther;" the other, Olliwacheca, or "The Prophet." 
Tecumseh was not only an Inaian warrior, but a man 
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- 
able perseverance in any enterprise in which he might 
engage. He was inspired with the higliest enthusiasm, 
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred 
the encroachment of the whiles upon the hunting- 
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
anorator, wlio could sway the feelings of the untutored 
Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which 
they dwelt. 

But the Prophet was not merely an orator : he was, 
in the su|)erstiuous minds of the Indians, invested 
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
magician. Witli an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went 
from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
by the Great Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tii)pe- 
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
October 28, 18 12, Ins army began its inarch. When 
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was 
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
the In(iian character to be deceived by such protes- 
tations Selecting a favorable sixDt for his night's en- 
campment, he took every precaution against surprise. 
His troops were jiosted in a hollow stiuare, and slept 
Ujjon their arms. 

The troops threw themselves uixjn the ground for 
' rest; but every man had his accourtremenis on, his 
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
the desperation which superstition and |)assion most 
highly inflamed could give, u|X)n the left flank of the 
little army. The savages had been amply provided 
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
Dus yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubtir.ga 
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
charge with the bavonet, and swept every thing be- 
fore them, and conpletely routing tlr" foe. 

A* 



Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can- 
adas, were ol themselves a very formidable forte ; but 
with llieir savage allies, rushing like wolves from the 
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- 
ing, plu.idering, scalpiiig, torturing, the wide frontier 
was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. 
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
Under these despairing circumstances, Crov. Harrison 
was apjwinted by Presiiient Madison commander-in- 
chief of the North-western army, wiih orders to retake 
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
General liarrison was found equal to the i)osition, 
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re 
siK)nsibilities. 

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharine 
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
lashed over his saddle Thirty-five British officers, 
his prisoners of war, sup[)ed wiiii him after the battle. 
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
before the fire, without bread or salt. 

In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
the National House of Representatives, to represent 
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved' an 
active member; and whenever he s[X)ke, it was with 
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested 
the attention of all the members. 

In 1S19, Harrison was elected to the Senate of 
Ohio; and in 1S24, as one of the presidential electors 
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry t'lay. The 
same year he was chosen to the I'nited States Senate. 

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of 
Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re -nominated by his 
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated 
by the Whigs, with John Tyler (orthe Vice Presidency. 
The contest was very animated, lien Jackson gave 
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
his triumph was signal. 

The cabinet which be formed, with Daniel Webster 
at its head as Secretary of Stale, was one of the most 
brilliant with which anv President had ever been 
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- 
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country 
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison was seized by a 
pleurisv-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died on the 4th of .April ; just one month after 
his iiVTUguration as President of the United States. 



=^ 



-4^ 



TENTH PRESIDENT. 



■•► 



55 




^> JDlir^ TTIEE, 



I OHX T^ 
xk Presidentc 



I 



TYLER, the tenth 
pa r icbiuentof the United States. 
He was horn in Charles-city 
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 
was the favored child of af- 
fluence and high social [X)- 
sition. .\t the early age of 
twelve, John entered William 
i and Mary College and grad- 

uated with much honor when 
I but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted him- 
self with great assiduity to the 
study of law, partly with his 
father and partly with P^dmund 
Randolph, one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers of Virginia. 

\\. nineteen years of age, ne 
commenced the practice of law. 
His success was rapid and aston- 
ishing. It is said that three 
months had not elapsed ere there 
was scarcely a case on the dock- 
I et of the court in which he was 

r.ot retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he 
was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
1 rntic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
IcfTerson and Madison. For five successive years he 
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
unanimous vote or his county. 

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
.1 member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
.ibly with the Democratic party, opposing a national 
bank, internal improvements by the General Govern- 




ment, a i)rotective tariff, and advocating a strict con- 
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
vigilante over Stale rights. His labors in Congress 
wore so arduous that before the close of his second 
term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his 
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his 
native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
cessful one. His jxipularily secured his re-election. 

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
United States. X |X)rtion of the Democratic party 
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
and brought forward John Tyler as his op|X)nent, 
considering him the only man in \'irginia of sufficient 
jKjpularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor. 

In accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
tion. He opjxjsed the tariff; he spoke against and 
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
uously opposed all restrictions ufxjn staven,-, resist- 
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had 
abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. 
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
in perfect accordance with the principles which he 
had always avowed. 

Returning to \'irgini.i, he resumed the practice of 
his profession. There was a :pl:t in the Democratic 



•v^ 



-•► 



JOHN TYLER. 



party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
i'ersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was 
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
of law, and devoted himself to tlie ciiltiire of his ulan- 
tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, 
lor the better education of his cliildren ; and he again 
took his seat in the Legislature of \iiginia. 

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
1839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of 
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
ident. It was well known that he was not in symjja- 
thy with the Whig party in the No:th: but the Vice 
President has but very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
Democratic Vice President were chosen. 

In 1 84 1, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
dent of the United States. In one short month from 
tliat time. President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
thus found himself, to his own surjirise and that of 
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
.\pril was inaugurated to the high and responsible 
office. He was placed in a ]X)sition of exceeding 
delicacy and difficulty. All his longlife he had been 
o|)|K)sed to tl-.e main principles of the party which had 
brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record, 
(ien. Harrison had selected a Wliigcal)inet. Should 
he retain them, and thus suiround himself with coun- 
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, 
on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
mony with himself, and which would oppose all those 
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
vited the cabinet which President Harrison had 
selected to retain their seats. He reccomm'nded a 
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a hill for the 
incorjxjration of a fiscal bank of the United States. 
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with 
his veto. He suaaested, however, that he would 



approve of a bill drawn up ujx)n such a plan as he 
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. 
It '.vas passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
Icis said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
ure by a published letter fiom the Hon. John M. 
Bolts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- 
dent into their arms. The i)ariy which elected him 
denounced him bitterly. W\ the members of his 
cabinet, e.Kcejiting Mr. U'ebster, resigned. The Whigs 
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
meeting and issued an address to the [leople of the 
United States, proclaiming that' all political alliance 
between the Whigs and President Tyler were at 
an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and 
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
men. Mr. Wel)ster soon found it necessaiy to resign, 
forced out by the pressure of his \\ hig friends. Thus 
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
tion passed sadly away. .\o one was satisfied. The 
land was filled with murmurs and vitu))eration. Whigs 
and Democrais alike assailed him. More and more, 
however, he brought himself into sympathy with his 
old friends, the Democrats, until atthe close of his term, 
he gave his whole influence to the sui^wrt of Mr. 
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
harassments of office, tothe regret of neither party, and 
probably to his own unsj)eakal)le lelief. His first wife, 
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married, 
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of 
many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
est, Charles city Co., Va. A jwlished gentleman in 
his manners, richly furnished with information from 
books and e.xperience in the world, and (wssessing 
brilliant jxiwers of conversation, his family circle was 
the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient 
moans for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he 
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few 
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
storms of civil war which his own principles and 
policy had helped to introduce. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State- 
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal- 
houn h.id inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his 
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; 
and while engaged in .active measures to destroy, by 
force of arms, the Government over which he had 
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died. 



^ 



% 




^^ 



'^ 



^^J^^ 



OC- ^^.J^e^-^^^<C 



■<•- 



ELEVENTH PRESIDENT. 




59 





JAMES IK» PDlIi, 








I AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 
^|,I'resident of the United States, 
was l)orii in Mecklenburg Co., 
N. C.Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 
ents were Samuel and Jane 
(Knox) Folk, the former a son 
of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 
at the ahove place, as one of the 
first pioneers, in 1735. 

In the year 1006, with his wife 
and children, ar.d soon after fol- 
lowed by most of the members of 
the Polk farnly, Samuel Polk emi- 
grated some two or three hundred 
miles farllier west, to the rich valley 
oftlie Duck River. Here in the 
midst of the wilderness, in a region 
which was subsequently called Mau- 
ry Co., tliey reared tlieir lot: huls, 
and establislied tiieir honns. In ilie 
hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
derness, James K. Polk spent the 
early years of his childhood and 
youth. His father, adding the [uir- 
suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
gradually increased in wealth until 
he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
mother was a sui>erior woman, of strong common 
sense and earnest piety. 

Very early in life, James deveioiied a taste for 
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
liim methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
u.ility and industry, and had inspired him will) lofty 
principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a 



sedentary life, got a situation for him beliind tlie 
counter, hoping to fit hini for commercial pursuits. 

This was to James a bitter disapix)intnient. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
were irksome in the e.xtreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made 
arrangements for him to i)rosecute his studies. Soon 
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With 
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half 
years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore 
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
service. 

He graduated in 1818, with the highest honors, be- 
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this 
time much impaired by the a.>siduity with whicli he 
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
office of Felix Crundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who 
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
miles from Nashville. They had ])robably been 
slightly acquainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican, 
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same jwliti- 
cal faith. He was a jxipular public speaker, and was 
constantly called ujon to address the meetings of his 
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
he was popularly called the Najoleon of the stump. 
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial ard 



4 



•^1^^ 



^ 



JAMES K. POLK. 



.*t 



:ourteous in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
nature in the joys and griefs of others which ever gave 
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
Mr. Jackson, to tlie Presidency of the United States. 

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
to his constituents may l)e inferred from the fact, that 
far fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
tinued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
only that he might accept the (lubernatorial chair 
of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
always in his seat, always courteous; and whenever 
he s|)oke it was always to the [wint, and without any 
ambitious rhetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House Strong i)assions were roused, 
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of 
March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo- 
ber, 1839, took the oathof6ffice at Nashville. In 1841, 
his term of office expired, and lie was again tlic can- 
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 

On the 4th of .March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
the country in favor of the annex.ition of Texas, exerted 
its influence upon Congress; and tiie last act of the 
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to 
the .\merican Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and 
left tlie country, declaring the act of the annexation 
to be an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message. President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
ceived into the L'nion on the same footing with the 
other States. In tiie meantime. Gen. Taylor was sent 



with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was 
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly 
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
where he erected batteries which commanded the 
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on 
the western banks. 

The anticipated collision soon took place, and war 
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
called one of "observation," then of "occupation," 
then of " invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The 
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
and awfully slaughtered. 'l"he day of judgement 
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
It v.'as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
that the war was brought on. 

' To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was 
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. 
We now consented to peace upon the condition that 
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
all of New Mexico, and all of Ui)pcrand Lower Cal- 
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
was an extent of'territory equal to nine States of the 
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were 
some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
of this war, we ex|)endcd twenty thousand lives and 
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1S49, Mr. Polk retired from 
office, having served one term. The next day was 
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
as his successor. Mr Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
and his health was good With an ample fortune, 
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
of the dearest nature.Ht seemed as thbugh long years 
of tranquility and hapjiiness were before him. But the 
cholera — that fearful scourge— was then sweeping u[) 
the N'alley of the Mis-;issippi. This he contracted, 
and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth 
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen. 




'Zc^^c>i^i^:^^^yy/0^?i^. 



1 



-#•- 




TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 



(-3 




/ACKAKV TAyi.()X<. ^ 



■'^■^^ 







ACHARY TAYLOR, iwcltth 
President of the United States, 
Was born on the 24th of Nov., 
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His 
father, Colonel Taylor, was 
a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
tinguished i)atriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zacliary 
was an infant, his father with his 
wife and two children, emigrated 
to Kentucky, where he settled in 
the pathless wilderness, a few 
miles from Louisville. In this front- 
ier home, away from civilization and 
all its refinements, yaung Zachary 
could enjoy but few social and educational advan- 
tages. When six years of age he attended a common 
icliool, and was then regardr-d as a bright, active boy, 
father remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- 
acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and 
■nanifestcd a strong desire to enter the army to fight 
rhe Indians wli3 were ravaging the frontiers. There 
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his 
childliood 0:1 his father's large but lonely plantation. 
In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
army ; and lie joined the troops which were stationed 
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
from one of the first families of Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
land, in 1812, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been 
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifiy miles above 
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
ness by Gen. Harrison. on liis march to Tipjiecanoe. 
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, 
'.ed Ky Teciimseh. Its garrison lonsisted of a broken 



company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of 
whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn of i8i;, the Indians, stealthily, 
and in large numbers, moved ujxjn the fort. Their 
approach was first indicated by the murder of two 
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
made every jxjssible prejiaralion to meet the antici- 
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
forty painted and jjlumed savages came to the fort, 
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk 
with him. It was evident that their object was merely 
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept 
them at a distance. 

The sun went down ; the savages disappeared, the 
garrison slept uixjn their arms. One hour btfore 
midnight the war-whoop burst from a thousand lips 
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that 
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- 
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- 
Until si.\ o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
continued. The savages tiien, baffled at every |x>int, 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the 
rank of major by brevet. 

Until the close of the war, MajorTaylor was placed 
in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the 
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which 
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
best could. There were r.o looks, no society, no in- 



:!^ry-^ 




64 



ZACHARY TAYLOR. 



tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful 
years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of 
colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in 
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor 
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in 
employments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance. 
In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel 
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
lire lieyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
had promised they should do. The services rendered 
here secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
to the rank of brigadier-general by brevet; and soon 
after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
mand of the United .States troops in Florida. 

After two years of such wearisome employment 
amidst the everglades of tlie peninsula. Gen. Taylor 
obtained, at his own request, a change of command, 
and was stationed over tlie Department of the South- 
west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama and (Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
at Fort Jessup, in I.ouisiana, he removed his family 
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
Here he rem.aincd for five years, buried, as it were, 
from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
imposed upon him. 

In 1846, (ien. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
between the Xueces and Rio (jrande, the latter river 
being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
by the United States. Soon the war with Me.xico 
was brought on, and at Palo .\lto and Resaca de la 
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
Me.xicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
was then conferred uixjn Gen. Taylor, and his name 
was received with entliusiasm almost everywhere in 
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
Huena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
forces much larger than he commanded. 

His careless habits of dress and liis unaffected 
sinq)licity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
\.\\^ sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' 

The tidings of tlie brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
spread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The 
name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The 
Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- 
ful po|)ularity in bringing forward the un]X)lished, un- 
lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
nouncement, and for a time would not listen toit; de- 
claring that he was not at all qualified for such an 
office. So little interest had he taken in [xjlitics that, 
for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
who had been long years in the jjublic service found 
their claims set aside in behalf of one whose name 



had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent sjjeaker nor a fine 
writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- 
pared such few communications as it was needful 
should be presented to the public. Theix)pularity of 
the successful warrior sweiit the land. He was tri- 
umphantly elected over two opixjsing candidates, — 
Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. 
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good 
old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, 
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party 
was pushing its claims with tireless energy , expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was 
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
the {X)litical contlicts in Washington to be far more 
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
Indians 

In the midst of all these troubles. Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
but little over five days, died on the 9lh of July, 1850. 
His last woids were, " I am not afraid to die. I am 
ready. 1 have endeavored to do my duty." He died 
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his death. 

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
description of his character: — " With a good store ot 
common sense. Gen. Taylor's mind had r.ot been en- 
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
quence. The frontiers and small military jKjsts had 
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- 
])lic:ity was child-like, and with innumerable ])reju- 
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
tender age. Thus, if a man, however res|)ectal)le, 
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat 
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave 
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
side ixjcket, — in any such case, this critic held the 
off^'nder to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 
'touch with a pair of tongs.' 

".\ny allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In short, 
few men have ever had a more conifortalle, labor- 
saving contempt for learnirg of every kind." 





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TJIIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



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^■'MILLARn FILLMflRE.-^^^ 








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LMORE, thir- 
of the United 




^J lI.I.ARn FILU 
• ,'.)) teenth President c 
ftu" States, was horn at Slimmer 
M Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
> ^'^;.^i ^r?^ the 7th of January, 1800. His 
^ l')i|'„; >^ / ^^ father was a farmer, and ow- 
y .■' -i) ing to misfortune, in himihle cir- 
cumstances. Of his mother, tiie 
daughter of Dr. Abiatliar Millard, 
of I'iltsfield, Mass., it has been 
.said that she (xissessed an intellect 
of very high order, united with much 
l)ersonal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
(wsit'on, graceful manners and ex- 
quisite sensibilities. She died in 
1 83 1 ; having lived to see her son a 
young m.iii of <lisiinguishcd prom- 
ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
dignity which he finally attained. 

In consecjuence of the secluded home and limited 
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slerder ad- 
vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
mon schools, vvhi< h he occasionally attended were 
very imperfect institutions; and l)Ooks were scarce 
and ex|)ensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
acter to indicate the brilliant career u[K)n which he 
was aliout to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy; 
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The s.icred 
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
and had laid the foundations of an (ipright character. 
When fourteen years of age, his father sent him 
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Near the nii'l there was a small villiage, wherf some 
A* 



enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
village library. This i)roved an inestimable blessing 
to young Fillmore. His evenings were sjjent in read- 
ing. S(X)n every leisure moment was occupied with 
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate; 
and the selections which he made were continually 
more elevating and instructive. He read history, 
biography, oratory, and thus gradually tliere was en- 
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, 
educated man. 

The young clothier had now attained the age of 
nineteen years, and was of fine jjcrsonal a[>[)earance 
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened that 
there was a gentleman m the neighborhood of ample 
])ecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter 
Wooil, — who was struck wiili the prepossessing ap- 
pearance of young Fillmore. He made hisac(iuaint- 
ance, and was so much im|)ressed with his ability and 
attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
r.o friends to heli) him and that his previous educa- 
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had 
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to 
take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion about 
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to 
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
lege. But many a boy loiters through university hab ; 
tnd then enters a law office, who is by no means as: 



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68 



MILLARD PILLMORR. 



well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
tense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he was 
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then 
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
jjractice of law. In this secluded, peacefid region, 
liis practice of course was limited, and there was no 
opportunity for a sudden rise in foitune or in fame. 
Mere, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acipiirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to 
enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
P.uffiilo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1S29, 
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
.State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
County, 'riiougii he had never taken a very active 
part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
and lie found himself in a helpless minority in the 
Legislature, still the testimony comes from all parlies, 
that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
unusual degn e the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
the United States Congress _ He entered that troubled 
irena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
national history. The great conflict respecting the 
national bank and tlie removal of the deiHJsits, was 
then raging. 

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
his profession, wiiich he pursued with increasing re|)- 
utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
he again became a candidate for Congress; was re- 
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past e.\pe- 
rience as a representative gave him strength and 
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
gies were brought to bear Ujwn the public good. Every 
measure received his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
his iwpularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, 
he was elected Comptroller of the State. 



Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
dent at the api)toaching election. Far away, on the 
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old 
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles 
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
jnodaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But 
it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
namesof Zachary Taylor ar.d Millard Fillmore became 
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
President and Vice-Peesident. The Wiiig ticket was 
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849, 
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. 

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
about one year and four months after his inaugura- 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- 
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
dent. He a[)|!ointed a very able cabinet, of which 
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 

Mr. Filhiiore hatl very serious difficulties to contend 
with, since the opiwsition had a majority in both 
Houses. He did everything in his power tocon<.iliate 
the South; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt 
the inadcipiacy of all measuresof transient conciliation. 
The [wpulation of the free States was so rapidly in- 
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
evitable that the power of the Government should 
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
Fillmcre's adminstration, and tlie Japan Exi'-edition 
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1S53, Mr I'ill- 
more, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
idency by the " Know Nothing " ]>arty, but was lieaten 
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
he was mostly silent. It was generally sup[xised that 
his sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
cordial words of cheer to the one party or th^ other. 
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a rii)e 
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. V , March 8, 1874. 



FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



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iK^ ^FRANKLIN PIERCE.'^ ^e^^ 



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lANKLIN PIERCE, the 
irteenth President of the 
L'liited States, was born in 
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
23, 1.S04. His father was a 
Revoli\iionary soldier, who, 
with his own strong arm, 
hewed out a home in the 
wilderness. He was a man 
of inflexible integrity; of 
strong, though uncultivated 
mind, and an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat. 'I'he mother of 
Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
could desire, — -an intelligent, pru- 
dent, affectionate, Christian wom- 
an. Franklin was tlie sixth of eight children. 

Franklin was a very bright and !iandsomei)oy, gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
love of old and young. The boys on tiie play ground 
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neigiilwrs 
looked upon him with pride and affection. He was 
by instinct a gentleman; always speakingkind words, 
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar ; in body, 
in mind, in afiTections, a finely-developed boy. 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was 
one of the most jwpular young men in the college. 
The purity of his moral character, the unvarying 
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 
^1 



genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite 
There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
gree studied : it was the simple outgushing of his 
own magnanimous and loving nature. 

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge 
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
the State, and a man of great private worth. The 
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his 
father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant 
[wlitical career into which Judge Woodbury was en- 
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
nating yet perilous path of political life. With all 
the ardor of his nature he es[)0iised tlie cause of Gen. 
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here 
he served for four yeais. The last two years he was 
chosen speaker of the house by, a very large vote. 

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Without taking an active 
part in debates, he was faithful and laiiorious in duty, 
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
he was associatad. 

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced 
his administration. He was the yonngest member in 
the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane 
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
station with wiiich her husband was honoicd. Of tlie 



the T 



lit 



.t 



FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with 
their parents in the grave. 

In the year 183S, Mr. Pierce, witli growing fame 
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up iiis 
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
President Polk, uix)n his accession to office, appointed 
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but 
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
He took an im|X3rtant part in this war, proving him- 
self a brave and true soldier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
cates of tlic Mexican war, and coldly by his opjio- 
ncnts. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
very fiecpiently taking an active part in political ques- 
tions, giving his cordial supjwrt to the pro-slavery 
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
measures met coiilially with his approval ; and he 
strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
guished as a " Northern man with Southern principles.'' 
Tlie strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 

On the ! 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
brought forward iiis name. There were fourteen 
more ballotings, during whicli Gen. Pierce constantly 
gained strength, until, at the forty-r.inth ballot, he 
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pieice 
was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
States on the 4th of March, 1853. 



His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
country had ever experienced. The controversy be- 
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its 
culminating point. It became evident that there was 
an " irrepressible conflict " between them, and that 
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
of the Union were borne to the North on every South- 
ern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when President 
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
of office. The North had become thoroughly alien- 
ated from him. The anti-slaverj' sentiment, goaded 
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
unmindful of tiie fidelity with which he had advo- 
cated those measures of Government which they a[v 
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
able accei)tably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 

On the 4th of Marclv, 1857, President Pierce re- 
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two 
had died, and his only surviving child had been 
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his 
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
alone in the world, without wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles whicli he 
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been 
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
the time of his death, which occurred in October, 
1S69. He was one of the most genial and social of 
men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal 
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- 
erous to a fault, he contiibuted liberally for the al- 
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- 
people were often gladened by his material bounty. 



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I'IFTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



75 , \ 






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AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
,iee;Uh I'resident of the United 
''/ ^ States, was born in a small 
j.'-\ji troniicT town, at the foot of the 
eastern ridge of the AUegha- 
nies, in Franklin Co., Penn., on 
llie 23d of April, 1791. The ;>lace 
where the humble cabin of his 
fatlier stnod was called Stony 
- Hatter. It was a wild and ro- 
mantic sjwt in a gorge of the moun- 
tains, with towering summits rising 
grandly all around. His father 
was a iiative of the north of Ireland ; 
a iX)or man, who had emigrated in 
1783, with little property save his 
own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married 
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a res|)ectal)le farmer, 
and, with his young bride, plunj;ed into the wilder- 
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se- 
cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
advantagrs. When James was eight yeais of age, his 
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. -His 
]>rogress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution. His application 
10 study was intense, and yet his native powers en- 



abled him to master the most abstruse subjects with 
facility. 

In the year 1S09, he graduated with tlie highest 
honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of 
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, tbnd of 
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
an exuberant flow of ;;ninial spirits. He immediately 
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1812, when he was 
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose 
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 
with the ablest law\ers of the State. When but 
twenty-si.x years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate 01 e of tiie 
judges of the State, who was tried upon articles of 
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally 
admitted that he stood at tlie head of the bar; and 
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- 
crative practice. 

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House. 
During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
tried some important case. In 1831, he retired 
altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac- 
([uired an amjjle fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, u[K)\\ hiselevation toilie I'residency, 
appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The 
duties of his mission he performed with ability, which 
gave satisfaction to all parties. I'pon his return, in 
1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States 
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster, 
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the meas- 
ures proposed by President Jackson, of making repri- 



^?^r+-^ 



t 



76 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 
claims against that country ; and defended the course 
of the President in his unprecedented and wliolesale 
removal from office of those wiio were not the sup- 
porters of his administration. Upon this question he 
was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. 
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging 
from tlie journal of the Senate the vote of censure 
against Gen. Jackson for removing the deix)sits. 
Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in the 
District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the 
circulation of anti-slavery documents bv the United 
States mails. 

As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advo- 
cated that they should be respectfully received; and 
lliat the reply should be relumed, tliat Congress had 
no |)ower to legislate upon tiie subject. '" Congress," 
said he, "might as well undertake to interfere with 
slavery under a foreign government as in any of the 
States where it now exists." 

\5\iox\. Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
took his share of the resix)nsil>ility in the conduct of 
the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing 
the Nueces by tlie American troops into the disputed 
territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross 
the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration 
of war. No candid man can rod with pleasure the 
account of tiie course our Government pursued in tliat 
movement 

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
the party devoted to the pi^rpetuation and extension 
of slavery, and brouglit all the energies of his mind 
to bear agjinst the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his 
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1050, 
which included tlie fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce, 
u;ion his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. 
Buchanan with the mission to England. 

In the year 1856. a national Democratic conven- 
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The 
political conflict was one of the most severe in which 
o'.ir country has ever engaged. All the friends of 
slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re- 
striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- 
mont, the candiilale of the enemies of slavery, re- 
reived 1 14 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
174, and was elected. The ])opular vote stood 
1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224.750 for Buchanan. On 
March 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
years were wanting to fill up his threescore years and 
ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been 
allied in political principles and action for years, were 
seeking the destruction of the Government, that they 
might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a 
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. 
[n this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be- 
^^Tldered He could not, with his long-avowed prin- 



ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in 
their assumptions. As President of the United Stales, 
bound l)y his oath faithfully to administer the laws, 
he could not, without' [Kirjury of the grossest kind, 
unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- 
lic. He therefore did nothing. 

The opiwnents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
nominaied Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer 
in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery 
party declared, that if he were elected, and the con- 
trol of the Government were thus taken from their 
hinds, they would secede from the Union, taking 
with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at 
Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of 
the United .States. 

Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery 
parly was such, that he had been willing to offerlheni 
far more than they had ventured to claim. All the 
South had professed to ask of the North was non- 
intervention u[X)n the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- 
chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- 
operation of the Government to defend and extend 
the institution. 

As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders 
claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- 
ing that Congress had no \)ower to prevent it, one of 
the most [Htiable exhibitions of governmental im- 
becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He 
declaied that Congress had no power to enforce iis 
laws in any .State which had withdrawn, or which 
was attempting to withdraw from the Union. This 
was not the doctrine of .Andrew Jackson, when, with 
his hand ujxjn his sword hilt, he exclaimed. " The 
Union must and shall be preserved!" 

South Carolina seceded in December, i860; nearly 
three months before the inauguraticm of President 
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. 
The rebel flag was raised in Charleston : FortSumptcr 
was be^^ieged; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals 
were seized; our dejiots of military stores were plun- 
dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were 
appropriated by the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our 
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looktd 
on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, 
and close the administration, so terrible in its weak- 
ness /\t length the long-looked-for hour of deliver- 
ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the 
scepter. 

The administration of President Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with 
pleasure. .And still more deplorable it is for his fame, 
that in that dreadful cpnflict which rolled its billows 
of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came 
from his lips to indicate his wish that our countrv's 
banner should triumph over the flag of the rebellion. 
He died at his Wheatland retreat, June i, :868. 



* ► ■ - 



t 






<^ 



Q..y\^of^-^ 



^-"^T^ 



u 



SIXTEENTH PKESIDENT. 








r.RATTAM LTNCOLM, the 
sixtcciuh President of the 
•IVI iiited States, was liorn in 
^)\V ■ ^ Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
j£^_A^ /J 1S09. About the yean 780, a 
man by the name of Abraluun 
"^ Lincoln left Virginia with liis 
family and moved into the then 
wildsof Kentucky. Only two years 
after tliis emigration, still a yonng 
man, while working one day in a 
t'leld, was stealthily approached by 
an Indian andshot dead. His widow 
was left in extreme |)Overty with five 
little children, tliree boys and two 
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the 
boys, was four years of age at his 
father's death. This Thomas was 
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the 
President of the United States 
whose name must henceforth forever be enrolled 
with the most prominent in the annals of our world. 
Of course no record has been kept of the life 
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
the jioorest of'the jwor. His home was a wretched 
log -cabin; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
Kducation he liad none; he could never either read 
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
self out, and thus spent the wlwle of his youth as a 
laborer in the fields of others. 

When twenty-eight years of ape he buili a log- 
labin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of jioor Kentucky emi- 
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
second child was .\braham Lincoln, the subject of 
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
.1 palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
•• All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate- 
I'ul son " I owe to my angel-mother. " 

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 



r 



cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana. Where 
two vears later his mother died. 

.•M)rah:;m soon lieirame the scribe of the uneducated 
cominunity around him. He could not have had .a 
better school than this to teach him to ]nit thoughts 
into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
books he could obtain were few ; init these he read 
and re-read until they were almost committed to 
memory. 

.As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family 
was the usual lot of humanity. Th.'re were joys and 
griefs, weddings and funerals. .Abraham's sister 
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar- 
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and 
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr. 
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1830, 
and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. 

.Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. 
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
another log-cabin. .Abraham worked diligently at this 
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their 
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when 
he announced to his father his intention to leave 
home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
tune. Little did he or his friend^ imagine how bril- 
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of 
education and was intensely earnest to improve his 
mind to the utmost of his |X)wer. He saw the ruii> 
which ardent spirits were causing, and became 
strictly temi)erate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- 
cating liquor to pass his lips. .And he had read in 
God's word, "Thou shah not take the name of the 
Ixjrd thy Ciod in vain;" and a ))rofane expression he 
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His 
morals were pure, and he was vmcontaminated by a 
single vice. 

Voung .Abraham worked for a time as a hired lalmrer 
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield, 
where he was employed in building a large flat-loat 
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down 
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis- 
sissippi to New Orleans. What<-ver Abraham Lin- 
coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to giv« 
great satisfaction to his employers. In this advcTi- 



f 



•► 1 1 ^^ 



t 



So 



ABRAHAM LINCOLX. 



ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon 
his return tney placed a store and mill under his care. 

In 1832, at tlie outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he 
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
Jackson the apiwintmentof Postmaster of New Salem, 
His only [wst-otfice was his hat. .\11 the letters he 
received he carried there ready to deliver to those 
he chanced 10 meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a 
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr. 
Stuart, of Springfield, advised hiin to study law. He 
walked from New Salem to Springlield, borrowed of 
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
began his legal studies. ^Vhen the Legislature as- 
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1836 lie was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
His success with the jury was so great that he was 
soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 

In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question. 
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
in 185G, ho took an active part, and at once became 
one of tlie leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
ilavery question, and he took the broad ground of 
.he Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
created ecjual. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
test, but won a far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
on the 1 6th ot June, i860. The delegates and 
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
five thousand. .\n immense building called "The 
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
were thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fame 
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most 
urominent. It was generally sup[X3sed he would be 
the nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
bloody death, to wliich that nomination doomed him: 
and as little did he dream that he was to render services 
to his country', which would fix upon him the eyes of 
the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
a place in the affections of his countiymen, second 
only, if second, to that of Washington. 

Election day came atid Mr. Lincoln received 180 
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that vas poured upon this good 



and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this 
high [xjsition. In Februarys 1861, Mr. Lincoln started 
for Washington, stop[)ing in all the large cities on his 
way making speeches. The whole journey was frought 
with mucli danger. Many of the Southern States hud 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
more had arranged, upon his arrival to" get up a row," 
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with 
revolvers and hand-grenades. .\ detective unravelled 
the plot. .\ secret and special train was provided to 
take him from Harrisourg, through Baltimore, at an 
une.xpected hour of the night. Tlie train started at 
half-past ten ; and to prevent ai.y [X)ssible communi- 
cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had 
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincol.i 
re.ached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
although great anxiety was felt by all loyal peoijle. 
In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr Seward the Department of State, and to other 
prominent opiwnents before the convention he gave 
important ix)sitions. 

During no otiier administration have the duties 
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
the resiwnsibihties so great, as those which fell to 
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he 
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
trials, bo'h personal and national Contrary to his 
own estimate of himself. Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left .Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had lieen 
made for his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
to one of them. .April 14, 1865, lie, with Gen. Grant, 
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
was announced that they would l,e i)resent. Gen. 
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
ing, with his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
it would be a disapixjintment if he should fail them, 
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth 
entered the l>ox where tiie President and family were 
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
next morning at seven o'clock. 

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
plunged into such deep gnefby the death of its rtiler. 
Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless 
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a 
model. His name as the savior of his country will 
live with that of Washington's, its father; hiscountrv'- 
mcn being unable to decide which is the greater. 





t?^^ 



l.O(y^ 




%5^- 



SEVEXTBIENTH PIiESWE.\ T. 



S.5 








S^ ^ .*^-® . 







•^-Xi^ 





\ NDREW JOHNSON, seven- 
cnth President of the United 
^ ^; , .-'UUes. The early hfe of 
^ 3 Andrew Johnson contains but 
o ' vf^ -^\<e t'l* "record of poverty, destit II- 
\^!iii;,tl^ tion and friendlessness. He 
was born December 29, 180S, 
in Raleigh, N". C. His parents, 
belonging to the class of the 
"l)oor whites " of the Souili, were 
in such circumstances, that they 
could not confer even tne slight- 
est advantages of education u|X3n 
their child. When Andrew was five 
years of age, his father accidentally 
lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, .Vndrcw 
was a ragged boy about the streets, supjwrted by the 
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
her own hands. 

He then, having never attended a sc1kx)1 one day, 
and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
read from the si)eechesof distinguished British states- 
men. .\ndrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
in these speeches; his ambition was roused, and he 
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and 
with the assistance of some of his fellow- workmen, 
learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
man to borrow the book of s[)ecches. The owner, 
-^« — ^— ^-_^^^__^_ 



pleased with his /.cal, not only gave him tiie book, 
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
into words. Under sucli difficulties lie pressed on- 
ward l.iboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours 
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest 
and recreation to devote such lime as he could to 
reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1S26, and located at 
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos- 
sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
learned to write and cii)her. He became prominent 
in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
aldemian, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which 
position he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in political 
affairs; identifying himself with the woiking-classes, 
to which he belonged. In 1S35, he was elected a 
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. 
He became a very active member of the legislature, 
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
i»40 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Van 
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to those 
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1841, he was elected Stale Senator; in 1843, he 
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
elections, held that important post for ten years. In 
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and 
was re-elected in 1855. In all these res])onsible jxisi- 
lions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abii- 



J. 



84 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



=4 



ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
and become merged in a population congenial to 
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
promise measures, the two essential features of which 
were, that the white people of the Territories should 
be pennilted to decide for the:nselves whether tiiey 
would enslave the colored people or net, and that 
the free States of the North should return to the 
South persons who attempted lo escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was neverashamedof his lowly origin: 
on tlie contrary, he often took i)iide in avowing that 
he owed liis distinction to his own exertions. "Sir," 
said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
ior was the son of a carpenter." 

In the Charleston- Baltimore convention of iSuo, 'le 
was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of the South- 
2rn Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
stand in favor of the Union, and held that "slavery 
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
established the most stringent military' rale. His 
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 
I S64, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
States, and u[X)n tlie death of Mr. Lincoln, .\\m\ 15, 
1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
('.ley do not .already feel, that treason is a crime and 
must be punished; that the Government will not 
always bear with its enemies; that it is strong not 
only to protect, but to punish. * * Tlie people 
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
administration, the history of which is so well known, 
was in utter iiw.onsistencv with, and the most violent 



H^t^ 



opposition to, the principles laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opiX)sed by Congress; and he char- 
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In 
the beginning of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. .\ test article of the impeachment was at 
length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
certain that as the court voted u|X)n that article so 
would it vote uiwn all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
side would have sustained the impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
but little regarded. He continued, though impoteiuly, 
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
dency. Tlie Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
alleled since the days of Washington, around the name 
of Gen. Grant, .\ndrew Johnson was forgotten. 
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
President's chair. Notwithstanding tliis, never was 
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting 
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
gress, and tookliis seat in that body, at the special 
session convened by President Grant, on the 5ih of 
March. On the 27ihof July, 1875, the ex-President 
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- 
ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 
2 A. M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of .\ugust, 
with every demonstration of respect. 





/^^2^ 



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EIGH TEENTII PRESIDENT. 



87 




^^^r^'^^:^^^f^<mf^^r^^^r^^^ 





f 



YSSES S. GRANT, the 
th President of the 
■<>'' United States, was born on 
)/ tlie 29th of April, 1822, of 
Christian parents, in a humble 
home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
his father moved to George- 
town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
received a common-school edu- 
cation. At the age of seven- 
teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
the Military Academy at West 
Point. Here he was regarded as a 
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- 
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
Indians. 

The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
battle was at Palo .\lto. There was no chance here 
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
Kesaca de la Palma, his second battle. At the battle 
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
he [lerformed a signal service of daring and skillful 
horsemanship. His biigade had exhausted its am- 
munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
grasixjd the mane of his horse, and hanging u|X)none 
jiide of the anir«\al, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 

•<!•— 



From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
10 aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
pre|)aration for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
was apjx)inted quartermaster of his regiment. .\t the 
battle of Molino del Rev, he was promoted to a 
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at ("ha- 
pultepec. 

.■\t the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
sent to one of the military posts on tin; frontier. The 
discovery of gold in California causing an inmiense 
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
States; and having married, entered uix)n the cultiva- 
tion of a small farm near .St. Ix)uis, Mo. He had but 
little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the army; though 
I have served him ihrougti one war, I do not feel that 
I haveyet repaid the debt. I am still ready todischarge 
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword 
and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised a comi)any of vol- 
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
the capital of the Stale, where their services were 
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. 
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the 
volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
State in behalf of the Government. On the 15th of 



•^ M A* 



83 



L'LVSS/iS S. GJiAXT. 



4- 



June, 1861, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
had served for 15 years in tlie regular army, were such 
ihat he was soon promoted to tlie rank of Brigadier- 
General and was placed in commai\d at Cairo. The 
rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. Tlie 
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
stripes were ur.furled in its ste.ad. 

He entered the service with great determination 
and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
lie was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
immediately made a M.njor-General, and the military 
iistrict of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how 
to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

Gen. fJrant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
i;!s horse, ami received severe injuries, from which he 
vas laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and 
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
ures put the Union .\rniy in fighting condition. Then 
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
bounded praise in the North. On the 4lh of Febru- 
ary, 1S64, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
and enter upon the duties of his new office. 




Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
troops for an attack uix)n Richmond, the nominal 
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- 
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole 
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these 
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His 
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
campaigns, which were e.xecuted with remarkable en- 
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The 
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- 
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 

At the Rei)ublican Convention held at Chicago, 
May 21, 186S, he was unanimously nominated for the 
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 
electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican party 
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872, 
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second temi 
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
electoral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term. Gen. Grant 
started upon his famous trip around the world. He 
visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
and was everywhere received with such ovations 
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private 
as well as public and official, as were never before 
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before the 
Republican National Convention in 1S80 for a re- 
nomination for President. He went to New York and 
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
wrecked Cirant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
the penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
manner, nevtr complaining. He was re-instated as 
General of the .\rmy and retired by Congress. The 
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
1885, the nation went in mourning over the death of 
the illustrious (leneral. 

*► 




s. 



y^^^e^ 



^ 




-J 



NtNtiTEENTH FRESIDKNT. 



9» 





m^ 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. ^ 









I 



UTHERFORD B. HAYES, 
the nineteenth President of 
the United States, was born in 
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
most three months after the 
death of his fatlier, Rutherford 
-: Hayes. His ancestry on both 
the paternal and maternal sides, 
, was of the most honorable char- 
> acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
IS farbackas 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
tains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
nobility, owned extensive estates, 
and had a large following. Misfor- 
tune overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
land in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
(leorge was born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
tied Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- 
riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Kzekiel, 
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- 
turcrof scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
son of K/.ekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was 
lH>rn in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, 
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was 



V 



born. He was married, in September, 1813, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industrious, 
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stocks 
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
ducted his business on Christian principles. .After 
the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons ine.xplicablc 
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day, 
when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, 
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter- 
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of nialaiial 
fever, less than three months before the birth of thu' 
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
some time before as an act of charity. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 



i 



4= 



<^ 



92 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he 
was not expected to live beyond a month or two at 
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and 
weaker, so that the ncighlwrs were i)i the habit of in- 
quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Haves' baby died 
last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the 
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
him, said in a bantering way, " That's right! Stick to 
him. You have got him along so far, and 1 shouldn't 
wonder if he would really come to something yet." 

" You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. " You 
wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
Preiident of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was 
drowned, he became, if ixjssible, still dearer to his 
mother. 

The boy was seven years old before he went to 
school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
He probably learned as much from his mother and 
sister as he would have done at school. His sports 
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These circumstances 
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of disix)- 
sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
of others, which are marked traits of his character. 

His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest 
in his education ; and as the boy's health had im- 
proved, and he was making good progress in his 
studies, he prpjwsed to send him to college. His pre- 
paration commenced with a tutor at home; bit he 
was afterwards sent for one year to a i)rofessor in the 
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
tered Kenyon College in 1838. at the age of sixteen, 
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 

Immediately after his graduation he began the 
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
the Law Sciiool at Cambridge, Mass., wliere he re- 
mained two years. 

In 1S45, after graduating at the Law School, he was 
admitted to tlie bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
fession. 

In 1849 he moved to Cincmnati, where his ambi- 
tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
this period, had a powerful influence uiwn his subse- 
quent life. One of these was his marrage with Miss 
Lucy Wnre Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
Cliilicothe; the other was his i:itroduction to the Cin- 
cin lati Literarj- Club, a body embracing among its 
msmbers such men as'^hief Justice Salmon P. Chase, 



Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
others hardly less distinguished in after life. The 
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
more than she to reflect honor uix)n .\merican woman- 
hood. The Literary Cluu brought Mr. Hayes into 
constant association with young men of high char- 
acter and noble aims, and lured him to dis[)lay the 
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and 
modesty. 

In 1S56 he was nominated to the office of Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac- 
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office of 
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council 
elected him for the unexpired term. 

In 1S61, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at 
the zenith of his protessional life. His rank at the 
bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take up 
arms for the defense of his countr)-. 

His military record was bright ar.d illustrious. In 
October, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
in August, 1S62, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio 
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he 
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle 
of South Mountain he received a wound, and while 
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude 
that won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed 
in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetied 
Major-General, "forgallant and distinguislud ftrvices 
during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In 
the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
shot from imder him, and he was wounded four limes. 

In 1S64, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from 
the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- 
ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
and after his election was inqxsrtuned to resign his 
commission in the army ; but he finally declared, " I 
shall never come to Washington until I can come by 
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866. 

I'.-. 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, 
over Hon. .Mien G. Thurman, a popular Democrat. 
In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. 
He was elected Governor for the third term in 1875. 

In 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repub- 
lican P.irty in the Presidential contest, and after a 
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in 
augurated Monday, March 5, 1S75. He served his 
full term, not, however, with satisfaction to h'.s party, 
but his admir'stration was an average o"- 



♦^ 



TiVEArTIETIl PRESIDENT. 



95 



.^mkf y>.\\,:\^ 




' ME>§ A, (IAKFIKE.D, , ^ 



^^(V^-^/V F 




AMES A. CARVIELD, twen- 
tieth President of the United 
States, was born Nov. 19, 
1 83 1, in the woods of Orange, 
Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
■" ents were Abram and Eliza 
q (Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
England ancestrj- and from fami- 
lies well known in the early his- 
J^^ V lory of that section of our coun- 
trj', but had moved to the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
ment. 

The house in which James A. was 
born was not unlike the houses of 
ixx)r Ohio farmers of that day. It 
..ds alKJUt 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be- 
.ween the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
iiard working fanner, and he soon had his fields 
.•leared, an orciiard |)lanted, and a log barn built. 
The household comprised the father and mother and 
iheir four children — Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and 
James. In May, 1.S23, the father, from a cold con- 
tracted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At 
ihis time James was about eighteen months old, and 
Thomas alx)ut ten years old. No one, perhaps, can 
lell how much James was indeLted to his biother's 
toil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very 
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
ters live iu Solon, O., near their birthplace. 

The e.iily educational advantages young Garfield 
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
tnem. He lal)orcd at farm work for others, did car- 
penter work, chopped wood, or did anything that 
would bring in a few dollars lo aid his widowed 
mother in he- ^trnggles to keep the little family to- 



■^ 



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his stVug- 
gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they 
ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor, 
the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly 
greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the 
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, 
modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until he 
was about si.xteen years old was to be a captain of 
a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
a vessel, which his mother strongly opixjsed. She 
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
understanding, however, that he should try to obtain 
some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city. 
After making many applications for work, and trying 
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, .Amos 
Letcher, on the Ohio &: Pennsylvania Canal. He re- 
mained at this work but a short time when he went 
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of 
which church he was then a member. He became 
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way. 
He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon 
" exhausted Hiram " and i>eeded more ; hence, in the 
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which 
he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest hon- 
ors of his class. He afterwards returned lo Hir.-ini 
College as its Presii'ent. .As above slated, he early 
united with the Christian or Diciplcs Chu-'ch at 
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
ber, often preaching in its pulpit and places where 
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
Yale College, says of him in reference to his reliuion : 

■ » 



r 



-4^ 

96 



'i^ l 4i 



James a. garfield. 




" President Garfield was more than a man of 
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole 
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs 
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
my judgment there is no more interesting feature of 
his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent 
sympathy whicli he ever showed in their Christian 
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to 
the less stately and cultured Christian communions 
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
nificance they step upward from one degree to 
another in some of the many types of fashionable 
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
church of his mother, the church in which he was 
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
evangelist, and yet witli the largest and most unsec- 
tarian charity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. 1 1, 1858, who jiroved herself 
worthy as the wife of one whom all tlie world loved and 
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of 
whom are still living, four boys and one girl. 

Mr. Garfield made his lirst political speeches in 1S56, 
in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and tliree 
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
and in 1861 was admitted to the baii The great 
Rebellion broke out in the early p^irt of this year, 
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
talked, and_ enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
14, i86i. He was immediately put into active ser- 
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in ac'ion, 
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
and eight companies of cavalry, charged witji the 
work of driving out of his native .State the officer 
(Humphrey Mirshall) re[)vited to be the ablest of 
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had 
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
before, so now he was tlie youngest General in the 
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, 
in itsoperations around Corinth and its march through 
.Mabama. He was tlien detailed as a memberof the 
General Coutt-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
Porter. He w.is then ordered to rejwrt to Gen. Rose- 
crans, and was assigned to the " C'hief of Staff." 

The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with 



his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won 
the stars of the Major-General. ■ 

Without an effort on his part Gen. Garfield was 
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
had been represented in Congress for si.xty years 
mainly by two men — Elisha ^\'hittlesey and Joshua 
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he 
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- 
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
body. There he remained by successive re- ■ 
elections until he was elected President in 18S0. 
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since 
tlie year 1864 you cannot think of a question which 
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a 
tribunel of the American people, in regard to which 
you will not find, if you wish mstruction, the argu- 
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
Mr. Garfield." 

U[X)n Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Ciarfield was elected to 
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the 
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
He was elected in the following November, and on 
March 4, 1S81, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
auspices tlian that of President Garfield, and every 
day it grew in favo." with the peo])le, and by the first 
of July he had completed all the initiator^' and pre- 
liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind 
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
left coat sleeve of his victim, but inflicting nofurlhei 
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never 
liefore in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people 
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
was at the summit of his jKiwer and hope. For eighty 
days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
bearing was teaching the country and the world tlie 
noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the 
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept. 
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J , on the very bank of the 
ocean, where he had been taken shortly j^revious. The 
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the 
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. 
Tlie murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed. 



t 



•«»> 



TWENTY-FIRST PRESIDENT. 



99 





<-S^ V*.. p -sji, V -a- A,><>\, ."' V ' *. ® ,,.^,: *-» ^ 



.^rrrs^ffli^?? 




'-^ 



•^4 




HESTER A. ARTHUR, 

twentv-first Presi'^.^iii of the 

United States was born in 

Franklin Cour ty, Vermont, on 

Sf^^'.^Sifr/.-^.::^ t he fifth of Odobcr, 1830, andis 

W^:^t=iv' the oldest of a family of two 

u$"^™as^,^- sons and five daughters. His 

.1 father was the Rev. Dr. AVilliam 

J Arthur, a Baptist cJ'.rgyman, who 

emigrated to tb s countr)' from 

1^ the county Ant.im, Ireland, in 

his 18th year, and died in 1875, in 

Newtonville, neai Albany, after a 

long and successful ministry. 

Young Arthur was educated at 
Union College, S< hcnectady, where 
he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
ter his graduation he taught school 
in Vermont for two years, and at 
the expiration of that time came to 
New York, with S500 in his jxjcket, 
and entered the office of ex-Judge 
E. D. Culver as student. After 
I being admitted to the bar he formed 
a partnership with his intiniaie friend and room-mate, 
Henr)' D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
in the West, and for three months they roamed about 
in the Western States in search of an eligible site, 
but in the end returned to New York, where they 
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success- 
ful career almost from the start, (ieneral Arthur 
so")n afterward nv^rp'-d the daughter of Lieutenant 



'^ 




Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at 
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthurs 
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
children. 

Clcn. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, 
brought to recover jxjssession of eight slaves who had 
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon. 
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
that they could not be held by the owner under the 
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
Attorney General of that State to assist in an apjieal. 
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
to represent the People, and they won llieir case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United 
States. Charles O'Conor here esjwused the cause 
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs. 
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
the emancipation of the black race. 

Another great service was rendered by General 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
General .Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- 
ny issued an order 10 admit colored persons to ride 
on their cars, and the other car companies (juickly 



i 



Ide 

kly i| 



.^1^^ 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- 
sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
at Saratoga that founded tiie Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
Second Brigade of the State of New \ork, and Cov- 
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed hmi Engineer- 
in-Chicf of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
great service to the (iovernmerit during the war. At 
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
of New Yoik, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
tive, each of the gentlemen comiwsing it were able 
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
not indeed one of national extent. 

He always took a leading part in State and city 
jjolitics. He was apix)inted Collector of the Port of 
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc- 
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. .\rthi;r was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political 
convention that ever assembled on thecontinent. It 
was composed of the leading jwliticians of the Re- 
publican party, ail able men, and each stood firm and 
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
respective candidates that were before the conven- 
tion for the non)ination. Finally Gen. Garfielil re- 
ceived the nomination for Piesident and Gen. .\rthur 
for Vice-Presideiit. The campaign wliiih followed 
was one of the most animated known in the history of 
()\ir country, (icn. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
))arty made a valiant fight for his election. 

F"inally the election came and the country's choice 
was Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
March 4, r88i, as President and Vice-President. 
\ few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of 
anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- 



tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- 
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
able patience that he manifested during those hours 
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
fering man has often been called upon to endure, was 
seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- 
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. 
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his 
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to 
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
honored ixDsition in the world was at any moment 
likely to fall to him. 

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
field from further sulTering, and the world, as never 
before in its history over the death of any other 
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of 
the Vice President to assume the responsibilities of 
the high office, and he took the oath in New York, 
Sept. 20, 1881. The position was an embarrassing 
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 
eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
what ix)licy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 
greatly neglected during the President's long illness, 
and many im|)ortant measures were to be immediately 
decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he 
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
became President, and knew the feelings of many on 
this ix)int. Under these trying circumstances President 
Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own 
hands; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of 
affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting so 
wisely that but few criticised his administration. 
He served the nation well and faithfully, until the 
close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was 
a popular candidate before his party for a second 
term. His name was ably presented before the con- 
vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity 
of one of the opjKising candidates, he would have 
been selected as the standard-bearer of his party 
for another cam|)aign. He retired to private life car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- 
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
to them and with credit to himself. 




Vs; 



y^-t-r^^^ 



Clc^>c//i 




> ■ ^1 



TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 






i- 




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H^;!S<s«r";5<ji-f"S*T;;;-Hj^;L5*si;j*i";S<*»i"Sv*v;;S-«'^"!'5-<* 




S. 'Str^^er Clex^etawS. 



i\: (-**>"» A^^ -^ -^ ^-» -»- <_./-*v^ -:.'-=K ^»»^.^^-^ --^v ,|,^ T , \ >^ 



'^,''^"AXX/V:'p 




OO P - 



lEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
I , AN U, the twenty- second Pres- 
ident of the United States, was 
horn in 1837, in the obscure 
town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
N. J., and in a little two-and-a- 
ii.ilf-story white house which is still 
standing, characteristically to mark 
the humble birth-place of one of 
America's great men in striking con- 
trast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in 
origin and born in the cradle of 
wealth. When the subject of this 
sketch was three years of age, his 
father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
Ly way of the Hudson River and Erie ('anal, to 
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born 

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned 
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the 
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
capacity of the village school and expressed a most 



emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this 
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to 
become self-supiwrting by the quickest possible 
maans, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed 
to be a [Msiiion in a country store, where his father 
and the large family on his hands had considerable 
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services 
the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to 
receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- 
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he 
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness 
that his employers desired to letain him for an in- 
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- 
hibit as yet any p.irticular " flashes of genius " or 
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
Clinton, where he li id an op|K)rtunity of attending a 
high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
studies until the family removed with him to a |X)int 
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
village of 500 or 600 people, 1 5 miles north of Utica, 
N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York Ciiy to accept, at a 
small salary, the [wsition of " under-teacher " in an 
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in 
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not hia 



i 



V 



t04 



5. G ROVER CLEVELAND. 



•►^H^ 



calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, 
ne left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going 
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 
there was some charm in that name for him; but 
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to 
ask the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
stock-breeder of tiut place. The latter did not 
speak enthusiastically. " What is it you want to do, 
my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, 1 want to study 
law," was the reply. " Good gracious ! " remarked 
the old gentleman ; " do you, indeed ? What ever put 
that into your head? How much money have you 
got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 
any. 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a 
year, wiiile 11c could "look around." One day soon 
afterward he boldly walked into tiie office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told them what he 
wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and 
he was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
his board and washing. The walk to and from his 
imcle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had 
none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's 
where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; 
but in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
exhibited a talent for execuliveness rather than for 
chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
|)ossibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
it," was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell 
to his duty to inflict capital punishment upon two 
criminals. In iSSi he was elected Mayor of the 
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- 
pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms 



in the administration of the municipal affairs of that 
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his 
performance of duty has generally been considered 
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- 
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential 
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- 
tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time for 
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of 
a mos bare-faced, imi)udent and shameless scheme 
to betray the interests of the people and to worse 
than squander tiie people's money." The New York 
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and tiiere- 
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, 
and his administration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if 
any, were made very public throughout the nation 
after he was nominated for President of the United 
States. For this high office he was nominated July 
It, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at 
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. 
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.: and he 
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- 
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
land resigned his office as Governor of New York in 
January, 1SS5, in order to prepare for his duties as 
the Chief E.xecutive of the United States, in which 
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of 
March, 18S5. For his Cabinet officers he selected 
tlie following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, 
Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the 
Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York; Secretary 
of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ; 
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Wiiitney, of New 
York; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, o^ 
Mississippi ; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas, 
of Wisconsin; Attorney-General, .\. H. Garland, of 
.\rkansas. 

The silver question precipitated a controversy be- 
tween those who were in favor of the continuance of 
silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. 
Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his 
inauguration. 





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TWKNTY-TII I UD I'UKSI Di:NT. 



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|j;^KN.)A.MIN IIAKRISON, the 
1| \ J twentj-third President, is 
' the (Ipsfcndaiit of one of the 
historical families of this 
country. The head of the 
^, fatiiilj- was a Major (iencral 
J Harrison, one of Oliver 
C'rom well's trusted follow- 
^< ^ els and fif^hters. In the zenith of Crom- 
W[ i i well's power it liecanie the duty of this 
• I'til; Harrison to participate in the trial of 
Charles I. and afterward to sijjn the 
death warrant of the king, lie subse- 
quently paid for this with his life, lieing 
hun^ Oct. 13. IGGO. His descendants 
came to America, and the next of the 
^^ family that appears in history is Benja- 

cU min Harrison, of ^■ir{rinia, grcai-grand- 

father of the subject of this sketch, and 
after whom he was name(). lienjamin Harrison 
was n member of the Continental Congress during 
the years 177-t-;"i-i;, and was one of the original 
signers of ihe I)ocl;iration of Independence. He 
was three times electerl fJovernor of Virginia, 
("•en. William Heniv Harrison, the son of the 





distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a suc- 
cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812, 
and with a clean record as Oovernor of the North- 
western Terrilor}-, was elected President of the 
United Slates in 1840. His career was cut short 
by death within one month after his inauguration. 
President Harrison was born at North Bend, 
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. 20. 1833. His life up to 
the time of his graduation bv the Miami University, 
at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun- 
try' lad of a family of small means. His father was 
able to give him a good eilucation, and nothing 
more. He became engaged while at college to the 
daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female school 
at Oxford. After graduating he determined to en- 
ter upon the stud}' of the law. He went to Cin- 
rinnati and then read law for two years. At the 
expiration of that time young Harrison received the 
only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left him 
a lot valued at ¥800. He regarded this legacy as a 
fortune, and deci<led to get married at once, lake 
this money and go to some Ejistern town and be- 
gin the practice of law. He sold his lot, and wiih 
the money in his |H>eket, he started out with his 
young wife to tight for a place in the world. He 



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108 



■*► 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



decided to go to Indianapolis, which was even at 
that time a town of promise. He met with slight 
encouragement nt first, making scarcely anything 
the first j'ear. He worked dilijjently, applj-ing him- 
self closely to his calling, built up an extensive 
practice and took a leading rank in the legal pro- 
fession. He is the father of two children. 

In 1860 Mr. Harrison was nominated for tiie 
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be- 
gan his experience as a stump speaker. He can- 
vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by a 
handsome majority. In 1802 he raised the 17th 
Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His 
regiment was composed of the rawest of material, 
but Col. Harrison employed all his time at first 
mastering military tactics and drilling his men, 
when he therefore came to move toward the East 
with Sherman his regiment was one of the best 
drilled and organi/.iMl in the army. At Resaca he 
cspeciallj' distinguished himself, and for his bravery 
at Peachtree Creek he was made a Brigadier Gen- 
eral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most 
complimentarj' terms. 

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field 
the Supreme Court declared the ollice of the Su- 
preme Coiu-t Reporter vacant, and another person 
w!is elected to the position. From the time of leav- 
ing Indiana with his regimciit until the fall of 1864 
he had taken no leave of absence, but having been 
nominated that year for the same office, he got a 
thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time 
made a brilliant canvass of the State, and was elected 
for another terra. He then started to rejoin Sher- 
man, but on the \v:\y was stricken down with scarlet 
fever, and after a most trying siege made his way 
to the front in time to particii>ate in the closing 
incidents of the war. 

In 18G8 Geu. Harrison declined a re-election as 
reporter, and resumed tiie practice of law. In 1876 
he was a candidate for Governor. Although de- 
feated, the brilliant campaign he made won for him 
a National reputation, and lie was much sought, es- 
pecially in the East, to make speeches. In 1880, 
as usual, he took .an active i)art in the canijjaign, 
and was elected to the United States Senate. Here 
he served six years, and was known as one of the 
ablest men, Ijest lawyers ami strongest debaters in 



that body. With the expiration of his Senatorial 
term he returned to the practice of his professionv 
becoming the head of one of the strongest firms in 
the State. 

The political campaign of 1888 w.as one of the 
most memorable in the history of our country. The 
convention which assembled in Chicago in .Tune and 
named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer 
of the Republican party, was great in everj' partic- 
ular, and on this account, and the attitude it as- 
sumed upon the vital questions of the day, chief 
among which was the tariff, awoke a deep interest 
in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly 
after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr. 
Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This move- 
ment became popular, and from all sections of the 
country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed 
thilluM- to |My their respects to the distinguished 
statesman. The popularity of these was greatly 
increased on account of the remarkable speeches 
made liy .Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through 
the suniiner and autumn to these visiting delega- 
tions, anil so varied, masterly and eloquent were 
his speeches that they at once placed him in the 
foremost rank of American orators and statesmen. 
On account of his eloquence as a speaker and his 
I)ower .as a debater, he was callcil upon at an un- 
commonly early age to take part in the discussion 
of the great (piestlous that then began to agitate 
the country. He was an uucoin|)romising anti- 
slavery man. and was matched against some of the 
most eminent Democratic six-akcrs of his State. 
No m.'ui who felt the toucli of his blade desired to 
be pitted with him again. With all his elo(|ueuce 
.a.s an orator he never spoke for oratorical effect, 
but his words always went like bullets to the mark. 
He is purely American in his ide.as and is a splen- 
did tyi)e of the .\merican statesman. (Jifteil with 
quick perception, a logical mind and a ready tongue, 
he is one of the most distinguished impromptu 
speakers in the N.ition. Many of the,*ie si)eeches 
sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained 
arguments of greatest weight. Many of his terse 
statements have already become aphorisms. Origi- 
nal ill thought, precise in logic, terse in stateiiicnl. 
yet withal faultless in eloquence, he is recogiiizeil as 
the sound slatesnian ;iiid brilliaut orator of the dav. 



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STEFHENTT.. MASON, 



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TEPHEN T. MASON, the 
first ('•ovcrrnorof Michigan, was 
a son of Oeii. John 'I". Mason, 
of Kentucky, l)Ut was born in 
Virginia, in 18 12. At the age 
''^ of 19 he was appointed Secre- 
\.\xy of Michigan Territory, and 
served in that capacity daring tlie 
.idministration of Gov. Cieorge B. 
Porter. Upon the death of Gov. 
Porter, whicli occurred on the 6th of 
July, 1834, Mr. Mason became Act- 
ing Governor. In October, 1835, he 
was elected Governor under the State 
organization, and immediately en- 
tered uixjn the performance of the 
duties of the office, although the 
State was not yet admitted into the Union. After 
the State was admitted into the Union, Governor 
Mason was re-elected to the jxisition, and served with 
credit to himself and to the advantage of the State. 
He died Jan. 4, 1S43. The principal event during 
Ciovernor Mason's official career, was that arising from 
the disputed southern Iwundary of the State. 

Michigan claimed for her southern Iwundary aline 
running east across the jjeninsula from the extreme 
southern jxiint of Lake Michigan, extending through 
Lake Erie, to the Pennsylvania line. This she 
claimed as a vested right — a right accruing to her by 
compact. This compact was the ordinance of 1787, 
the parties to which were the original 13 States, and 
the territory northwest of the Ohio; and, by the suc- 
cession of parties under statutory amendments to the 
ordinance and laws of I'ongress — the United States on 
the one part, and each Territory northwest of the 
Ohio, as f.Tr .is afTected l)y their jirovisions, nn the 



other. Michigan, therefore, claimed it under the prior 
grant, or assignation of Iwundary. 

Ohio, on the other hand, claimed that the ordinance 
had been sui)etseded by the Constitution of the 
United States, and that Congress had a right to regu- 
late the boundar>-. It was also claimed that the 
Consdtution of the State of Ohio having descril)ed a 
different line, and Congress having admitted the State 
under that Constitution, without mentioning the sul)- 
ject of the line in dispute. Congress had thereby given 
its consent to the line as laid down by the Constitu- 
tion of Ohio. This claim was urged by Ohio at 
some periods of the controversy, but at others she ap- 
peared to regard the question unsettled, by the fact 
that she insisted uixjn Congress taking action in re- 
gard to the boundary, .\ccordingly, we find that, in 
i8t2. Congress authorized the Surveyor-General to 
survey a line, agreeably to the act, to enable the i>eople 
of Ohio to form a Constitution and State government. 
Owing to Indian hostilities, however, the line was not 
run till 1818. In 1820, the (piestion in dispute 
underwent a rigid e.\amination by the Committee on 
Public Lands. The claim of Ohio was strenuously 
urged by her delegation, and as ably opjwsed by Mr. 
Woodbridge, the then delegate from Michigan. The 
result was that the committee decided unanimously 
in favor of Michigan ; but, in the hurry of business, 
no action was taken by Congress, and the <iuestion 
remained open till Michigan organized her State gov- 
ernment. 

The Territory in dispute is about five miles in 
width at the west end, and about eight miles in width 
at the east end, and extends along the whole north- 
ern line of Ohio, west of Lake Erie. The line claimed 
by Michigan was known as the " Fulton line," and 
that claimed I'V Ohiowasknown :'.sthc" Harris line," 



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STEPHEN r. MASON. 



from the names of ilie surveyors. The territon' was 
valuable for its rich agricultural lands ; but the chief 
value consisted in the fact that the harbor on the 
Maumee River, where now stands the flourishing city 
of Toledo, was included within its limits The town 
originally bore the name of Swan Creek, afterwards 
Port Lawrence, then Vestula, and then Toledo. 

In February, 1835, the Legislature of Ohio passed 
an act e.xtending the jurisdiction of the State over 
the territory in question; erected townships and 
directed them to hold elections in April following. It 
also directed Governor Lucus to apjxjint three com- 
missioners to survey and re-mark the Harris line ; and 
named the first of April as the day to commence the 
survey. Acting Governor Mason, however, anticipated 
this action on the part of the Ohio Legislature, sent 
a special message to the Legislative Council, appris- 
ing it of (Governor Lucas' message, and advised imme- 
diate action by that body to anticipate and counteract 
the proceedings of Ohio, .\ccordingly, on the 12th 
of February, the council passed an act making it a 
criminal offence, punishable by a heavy fine, or im- 
prisonment, for any one to attempt to exercise any 
official functions, or accept any office within tlie juris- 
diction of Michigan, under or by virture of any au- 
thority not derived from the Territory, or the United 
States. On the 9th of March, Governor Mason wrote 
General Brown, then in command of the Michigan 
militia, directing him to hold himself in readiness to 
meet the enemy in the field in case any attempt was 
made on the part of Ohio to carry out the provisions 
of that act of the Legislature. On the 31st of March, 
Governor Lucus, with his commissioners, arrived at 
Perrysburgh, on their way to commence re-surveying 
the Harris line. He was accomi)anied by General 
Bell and staff, of the Ohio Militia, who proceeded to 
muster a volunteer force of about 600 men. This 
was soon accotnplished, and the force fully armed and 
equipped. The force then went into camp at Fort 
Miami, to await the Governor's orders. 

In the meantime, Ciovernor Mason, witli General 
Brown and staff, had raised a force 800 to 1200 
strong, and were in iX)ssession of Toledo. General 
Brown's Staff consisted of Captain Henry Smith, of 
Monroe, Inspector; Major J. J. Ullman, of Con- 
stantine, Quartermaster; \\'illiam P.. Broadman, of 
Detroit, and .Mpheus Felch, of Monroe, Aids-de- 
<au)p. W'nen Governor Lucas observed the deter- 
mined bearing of the Michigan braves, and took not? 



of their number, he found it convenient to content 
himself for a time with " watching over the border." 
Several days were passed in this exhilarating employ- 
ment, and just as Governor Lucas had made up his 
mind to do something rash, two commissioners ar- 
rived from Washington on a mission of peace. They 
remonstrated with Gov. Lucus, and reminded him of 
the consequences to himself and his State if he per- 
sisted in his attempt to gain jxjssessionof the disputed 
territory by force. After several conferences with 
both governors, the commissioners submitted proposi- 
tions for their consideration. 

Governor Lucas at once accepted the propositions, 
and disbanded his forces. Governor Mason, on the 
other hand, refused to accede to the arrangement, and 
declined to compromise the rights of his i)eople by a 
surrender of jxissession and jurisdiction. When Gov- 
ernor Lucus disbanded his forces, however. Governor 
Mason partially followed suit, but still held himself 
in readiness to meet any emergency that might arise. 

Governor Lucus now supposed that his way was 
clear, and that he could re-mark the Harris line with- 
out being molested, and ordered tiie commissioners 
to i)roceed with their work. 

In the meantime, Governor Mason kept a watch- 
ful eye ujxjn the proceedings. Cieneral Brown sent 
scouts through the woods to watch their movements, 
and report when operations were commenced. When 
the surveying party got within the county of Lena- 
wee, the under-sheriff of that county, armed with a 
warrant, and accompanied by a posse, suddenly made 
his appearance, and succeeded in arresting a jwrtion 
of the party. The rest, including the commissioners, 
took to their heels, and were soon beyond the dis- 
puted territory. They reached Perrysburgh the fol- 
lowing day in a highly demoralized condition, and 
reported they had been attacked by an overwhelm- 
ing force of Michigan malitia, under command of 
General Brown. 

This summary breaking up of the surveying party 
produced the most tremendous excitement throughout 
Ohio. Governor Lucas called an extra session of the 
Legislature. But little remains to be said in reference 
to the " war." The question continued for sometime 
to agitate the minds of the opposing parties ; and the 
action of Coneress was impatiently awaited. Michigan 
was admitted into the Union on the condition that 
she give to Ohio the disputed territorj', and accept 
in return the Northern Peninsula, which she did. 



i 



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SECOND GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN. 



109 



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ILLIAM UOODBRUHiE, 
',, ^second Ciovernor of Michigan, 
,y was iKjrn at Norwich, Conn., 
' Aug. JO, 1780, and died at 
- Detroit Oct. 20, 1861. He 
was of a family of three brothers 
and two sisters. His father, 
Dudley Woodbridge, removed to 
Marietta, Ohio, aliout 1790. The 
life of Wm. Woodbridge, by Chas. 
i.auman, from whicli this sketch 
is largely com i)iled, mentions noth- 
ing concerning liis early education 
beyond the fact that it was such as 
was afforded by the average school 
of the time, e.xcept a year with the 
French colonists at Galli|X5lis, 
where he acquired a knowledge of 
the French language. It should 
be borne in mind, however, that 
home education at that time was 
an indispensable feature in the 
training of the young. To this and 
and to a few studies well mastered, 
is due that strong mental discipline which has served 
as a basis for many of the grand intellects that have 
adorned and helped to make our National history. 
Mr. Woodbridge studied law at Marietta, having 
as a fellow student an intimate personal friend, a 
young man subsc(|uently distinguished, but known 
at that time simply as Lewis Cass. He graduated at 
the law school in Connecticut, after a course there of 
nearly three years, and began to practice at Marietta 
in 1806. In June, 1806, he married, at Hartford, Con- 
necticut, juleanna, daughter of John Triimbell, a 
distinguished author and judge ; and author of the 



i 



peom McFingal, which, during a dark period of the 
Revolution, wrought such a magic change upon the 
spirits of the colonists. He was happy in his domes- 
tic relations until the death of Mrs. W., 1-eb. 2, 19, i860. 

Our written biographi'.-s necessarily speak more 
fully of men, because of their active participation in 
public affairs, but human actions are stamped u[X)n 
the page of time and when the scroll shall be unrolled 
the influence of g(X)d women u|x)n the history of the 
world will be read side by side with the deeds of men. 
How much success and renown in life many men owe 
to their wives is probably little known. Mrs. W. en- 
joyed the best means of early education that the 
country afforded, and her intellectual genius enabled 
her to improve her advantages. During her life, side 
by side with the highest type of domestic and social 
graces, she manifested a keen intellectuality that 
formed the crown of a faultless character. She was 
a natural ix)ct, and wrote (juitc a large number of fine 
verses, some of which are preserved in a printed 
memorial essay written ujwn the occasion of her 
death. In this essay, it is said of her "to contribute 
even in matters of minor im|X)rtance, to elevate the 
reputation and add to the well being of her husband 
in the various stations he was called uixjn to fill, gave 
her the highest satisfaction " She was an invalid 
during the latter ]X)rtion of her life, but was patient 
and cheerful to the end. 

In 1807, Mr. W. was chosen a representative to the 
(leneral ,\ssembly of Ohio, and in 1809 was elected to 
the Senate, continuing a member by re-election until 
his remo.val from the State. He also held, by ap- 
pointment, during the time the office of Prosecuting 
.Attorney for his county. He took a leading part in 
the Legislature, and in 1812 drew up a declaration and 
resolutions, which passed the two houses unamiiiously 



u 



4^ 



ir/LL/AM WOODBRIDGE. 






and attracted great attention, endorsing, in strongest 
a:id most emphatic terms, the war measures of Presi- 
dent Madison. During the period from 1S04 to 1814 
the two law students, W'oodhridge and Cass, had be- 
come widely separated. Tlie latter was Governor of 
the Territory of Michigan underthe historic "Governor 
and Judges" plan, with the indispensatile re([uisite of a 
Secretary of the 'I'erritorry. This latter position was, 
in 18 1 4, without solicitation on his part, tendered to 
Mr. W. He accepted the ix)sition with some hesita- 
tion, and entered uixdu its duties as soon as he could 
make the necessary arrangements for leaving Ohio. 
The oftice of Secretary involved also tlie duties of 
ooUectorof customsat the jxjrt of Detroit, and during 
the frequent absences of the (iovernor, the dischargeof 
of his duties, also including those of Superintendent 
of Indian Affairs. Mr. \V. officiated as Governor for 
about two years out of the eight years that he held the 
office of Secretary I'nder the administration of "Gov- 
ernor and Judges," which the people of the Territory 
preferred for economical reasons, to continue some time 
after their numbers entitled them to a more popular 
representative system, they were allowed no delegate 
in Congress. Mr. W., as a sort of informal agent of 
the people, by correspondence and also by a visit to 
the National capital, so clearly set forth the demand 
for representation by a delegate, that an act was 
pj^ssedin Congress in rSigauthorizingone tobechosen. 
Under this a<t Mr. W. was elected by the concurrence 
of all parties. His first action inCongress was to secure 
the passage of a bill recognizing and confirming the 
old French land titles in the Territory according to 
the terms of the treaty of peace with (ireat Britain 
at the close of tlie Revolution ; and another for the 
construction of a Government road through t he "black 
swamps" from the Miami River to Detroit, tiius open- 
ing a means of land transit between Gliio and Mich- 
igan. He was influential in securing the passage of 
bills for the construction of Government roads from 
Detroit to Chicago, and Detroit to Fort Gratiot, and 
for the improvement of La Plaisance Bay. The ex- 
pedition for the exploration of the country around 
Lake Superior and in the valley of the Upjier Mis- 
sissippi, prniected by Governor Cass, was sot on foot 
by means of representations made to the head of the 
department by Mr. W. While in Congress he stren- 
uously maintained the right of Michigan to the strip 
of territory now forming the northern boundary of 
Ohio, which formed the subject of such grave dispute 
between Ohio and Michigan at the time of the ad- 
mission of the latter into the Union. He served 
but one term as delegate to Congress, de- 
clining further service on account of personal and 
family considerations. Mr. W. continued to discharge 
the duties of Secretani' of the Territory up to the time 
its Government passed into the "second grade." 

In 1824, he was ap|K)inted one of a board of 
commissioner-; for adjusting private land claims in 



the 'I'erritory, and was engaged also in the practice of 
his profession, having the best law library in the Ter- 
ritory. In 1828, upon the recommendation of the 
Governor, Judges and others, he was appointed by the 
President, J. Q. .\dams, to succeed Hon. James With- 
erell, who had resigned as a Judge of what is conven- 
tionally called the "Supreme Court" of the Territory. 
This court was api)arently a continuation of the Terri- 
torial Court, under the "first grade" or "(iovernor and 
Judges" system. Although it was supreme in its ju- 
dicial functions witliin the Territory, its jxswers and 
duties were of a very general character. 

In 1832, the term of his a[)pointment as Judge ex- 
piring. President Jackson apixjinied a successor, it is 
supjwsed on (xjlitical grounds,nuich to the disappoint- 
ment of tlie public and the bar of the Territory. The 
partisan feeling of the time e.xtended into the Terri- 
tory, and its i)eople began to think of assuming the 
dignity of a State government. Party lines becom- 
ing very sharply drawn, he identified himself with 
the Whigs and was elected a member of the Conven- 
tion of 1835, which formed the first State Constitution. 
In 1837 he was elected a nieniber of t'^e Slate Senate. 

This sketch has puriwsely dealt somewhat in detail 
with what may l)e called Judge W's. earlier career, 
liecause it is closely identified with the early his- 
tory of the State, and the develo|inient of its ]X)liti- 
cal system. Since the organization of the State Gov- 
ernment the history of Michigan is more familiar, and 
hence no review of Judge W's career as Governor 
and Senator will be attem))ted. He was elected Gov- 
ernor in 1839, under a pojiular impression that the 
affairs of the State had not been prudently adminis- 
tered by the Democrats. He served as Governor but 
little more than a year, when he was elected to the 
Senate of the United Slates. 

HIn term in the Senate i)ractically closed his polit- 
ical life, although he was strongly urged by many 
prominent men for the Whig nomination for Vice 
President in 1848. 

Soon after his apix)intment as Judge in 1828, Gov- 
ernor W. took up his residence on a tract of land 
which he owned in the township of Spring Wells, a 
short distance below what was then the corpofate lim- 
its of Detroit, wlierc he resided during the remainder 
of his life. Both in his public papers and private 
communications, Governor ^^'. shows himself a mas- 
ter of language; he is fruitful in simile and illustra- 
tion, logical in arrangement, hajipy in the choice and 
treatment of topics, and terse and vigorous in expres- 
sion. Judge W. was aCongregationalist. His opinions 
on all subjects were decided ; he was earnest and 
energetic, courteous and dignified, and at times ex- 
hibited a vein of fine humor that was the more at- 
tractive because not too often allowed to come to the 
surface. His letters and .addresses show a deep and 
earnest aflfection not only for his ancestral home, but 
the home of hi-; ;idopti)n :ind for friends and family. 



T 



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GOl'EKyORS OF MICJIIGAX. 





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JOHN S. BARRY Ml 






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'1^ OHN .STEWARD UARRV, 
'.8L Governor of Michigan from 
Jan. 3, 1842. to Jan. 5, 1846, 
and from Jan. 7, 1850, to Jan. 
I, 1852, was born at Amherst, 
N. H., Jan. 29, 1802. His |)ar- 
9 cnis, John and Kllen (Steward) 
Darr)', early removed to Rocking- 
ham, Vt., where he remained until 
i' he hecanie of age, working on his 
ither's farm, and pursuing his 
studies at the same time. He mar- 
ried Mary Kidder, of (Irafton, \'t., 
and in 1S24 went to Georgia, Vt., 
where he had charge of an academy 
for two years, meanwhile studying 
l.iw. He afterward practiced law in 
that State. While he was in Georgia he was for some 
time a member of the Governor's staff, with the title 
of Governor's Aid, and at a somewhat earlier jieriod 
was Captain of a company of State militia. In 1831 
he removed to Michigan, and settled at White Pigeon, 
where he engaged in mercantile business with I. W. 
Willard. 

Four years after, 1S34. Mr. Harry removed to Con- 



«••■ 



stantine and continued his mercantile pursuits. He 
became Justice of the Peace at White Pigeon, Mich., 
in 1831, and held the office until the year 1835. 
Mr. Barry's first public office was that of a member 
of the first constitutional convention, which assembled 
and framed the constitution u|X)n which Michigan 
was admitted into the Union. He look an imjjortant 
and prominent part in the proceedings of that body, 
and showed himself to be a man of far more than 
ordinary ability. 

Upon Michigan being admitted into the Union, 
Mr. Barry was chosen State .Senator, and so favorably 
were his associates impressed with his abilities at the 
first session of the Legislature that they looked to him 
as a party leader, and that he should head the State 
ticket at the following election. Accordingly he re- 
ceived the nomination for Governor at the hands 
of his party assembled in convention. He was 
elected, and so jxjpular was his administration that, in 
1842, he was again elected. During these years 
Michigan was embarrassed by great financial diffi- 
culties, and it was through his wisdom and sound judg- 
ment that the State was finally placed upon a solid 
financial b.asis. 

During the first year of Gov. Barry's first term, the 
University at .Ann ArlK)r was opened for the rei epliun 



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114 



JOHN STEWARD BARRY. 



of students. The Micliigaii Central and Michigan 
Southern railroads were being rapidly constructed, and 
general progress was everywhere noticeable. In 1S42, 
tlie number of pupils re|»orted as attending the public 
schools was nearly fifty-eight thousand. In 1S43, a 
State land office was established at Marshall, wliich 
was invested with the ciiarge and disposition of all 
the lands belonging to the State In 1844, the tax- 
able property of the State was found to be over 
twenty-eight millions of dollars, the lax being at the 
rate of two mills on tlie dollar. The expenses of the 
State were only seventy thousand dollars, while the 
income from the railroads was nearly three hundred 
thousand dollars. .At this time the University of 
.Michigan had become so prosperous that its income 
was ami)le to pay the interest on the University debt ; 
and the amount of money which the State was able 
to loan the several progressing railroads was one 
hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Efforts were 
made to increase the efiiciency of the common schools 
with good results In 1845, when Gov. Barry's sec- 
ond term ex[)ired, the population of the State was 
more than three hundred thousand. 

The constitution of the Slate forbade more than two 
consecutive terms, but he was called upon to fill the 
(Kjsition again in 1850 — the only instance of the kind 
in the history of tiie State. He was a member of the 
Territorial Legislature, of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion, and afterward of the State House of Represent- 
atives. 

During Mr. Barry's third term as Governor the Nor- 
mal School was established at Ypsilanti, which was 
endowed with lands and placed in charge of a board 
of education consisting of six persons. A new con- 
stitution for the government of the State was also 
adopted and the "(Ireat Railway Conspiracy Case" 
was tried. This grew out of a series of lawless acts 
which had been committed upon the property of the 
Michigan Central Railroad Com[)any, along the line 
of their road, and finally the burning of the depot 
at Detroit, in 1850. 

At a setting of the grand jury of Wayne County, 
April 24, 185 I, 37 men of the 50 under arrest for this 
crime were indicted. May 20, following, the accused 
parties appeared at the Circuit Court of Wayne, of 
which Warner Wing was resident judge. The Rail- 
road Company employed ten eminent lawyers, in- 
cluding David Stuart, John Van .\rman, James A. 
Van Dyke, Jacol) M. Howard, .Mex. D. Fraser, Dan- 
iel Cioodwin and William Gray. The defendants were 
represented by six members of the State bar, led by 
William H. Seward, of New York. The trial occupied 
four months, during which time the plaintiffs exam- 
ined 246 witnesses in 27 days, and the defendants 
249 in 40 days. Mr. Van Dyke addressed the jury 
for the i>rosecution ; William H. Seward for the 
defense. 

The groat lawver was convinced of the innocence 



of his clients, nor did the verdict of that jury and the 
sentence of tiiat judge remove his firm belief that his 
clients were the victims of i)urchased treachery, 
rather tiian so many sacrifices to justice. 

The verdict of " guilty " was rendered at 9 o'clock 
I'. .M., Sei)t. 25, 1851. On the 26tii the prisoners were 
put forward to receive sentence, when many of them 
protested their entire innocence, after which the pre- 
siding judge condemned 12 of the number to the fol- 
lowing terms of imprisonment, with hard labor, within 
the State's prison, situate in their county : Ammi 
Killey, ten years; Orlando 1.. Williams, ten years;. 
-Aaron .Mount, eigiit years; .Andrew J. Freeland, eight 
years; Eben Farnham, eight years; William Corvin, 
eight years; Richard I'rice, eight years; Evan Price, 
eight years; Lyman Champlin, five years; Willard 
W. Champlin, five years; Erastus Champlin, five 
years; Erastus Smith, five years. 

In 1840, Gov. Barry became deeply interested in 
the cultivation of the sugar beet, and visited Europe 
to obtain information in reference to its culture. 

He was twice Presidential Elector, and his last 
public service was that of a delegate to the National 
Democratic t"onvention held in Chicago in 1864. 

He was a man who, throughout life, maintained a 
high character for integrity and fidelity to the trusts 
bestowed uiwn him, whether of a public or a private 
nature, and he is acknowledged by all to have been 
one of the most efficient and iwpular Governors the 
Slate has ever had. 

Gov. Barry was a man of incorruptible integrity. 
His opinions, which he reached by the most thorough 
investigation, he held tenaciously. His strong con- 
victions and outsiwken honesty made it impossible for 
him to take an undefined jwsition when a principle 
was involved. His attachments and prejudices were 
strong, yet he was never accused of favoritism in his 
administration of public affairs. .As a speaker he was 
not remarkable. Solidity, rather than brilliancy, char- 
acterized his oratory, which is described as argument- 
ative and instructive, but cold, hard, and entirely 
wanting in rlietorical ornament. He was never elo- 
t|uent, seldom humorous or sarcastic, and in manner 
rather awkward. 

.Although Mr. Barry's educational advantages were 
so limited, lie was a life-long student. He mastered 
both ancient and modern languages, and acijuired a 
thorough knowledge of historj'. Xo man owed less 
to [xjlitical intrigue as a means of gaining jxjsi- 
tion. He was a true statesman, and gained public es- 
teem by his solid worth. His political connections 
were always with the Democratic party, and his opin- 
ions were usually extreme. 

Mr. Barry retired to private life after the beginning 
of the ascendency of the Republican i)arty, and car- 
ried on his mercantile business at Constantine. He 
died Jan. 14, 1S70, his wife's, death having occurred a 
year previ(>\is, March 30, 1S69. They left no children. 

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PHEUS FELCH, the third 
overnor of Michigan, was 
Ixirnin Limerick, Maine, Sej)- 
leniher 28, 1806. Hisgrand- 
^^i* father, Abijah Felch, was a sol- 
/''•- dier ill the Revolution ; and 
i-, g, when a young man, liaving with 

, ji^/j^-'aa! others obtained a grant of land be- 
^ra' tween iheOreatand Little ()ssii)ee 
' Rivers, in Maine, moved to that re- 
gion when it was yet a wilderness. 
The father of Mr. l-'elch embarked in 
mercantile life at Limerick. He was 
the first to engage in that business in 
that section, and tontinncd it until 
his death. The death of the father, 
followed within a year by the death of 
the mother, left the subject of this sketch, then three 
years old, to the care of relatives, and he found a 
home with his paternal grandfathei, where he re- 
mained until his death. Mr Felch received his early 
education in the district school and a neighboring 
academy. In 1821 he became a student at Phillips 
F,.\ter .\cademy, and, subsequently, entered Howdoin 
College, graduated with the class of 1827. He at 
once began the study of law and was admitted to 
])ractice at Bangor, .Me., in 1830. 

He began the practice of his profession at Honlton, 
.Me., where he remained until 1833. The severity 
of the climate imj)aired his health, never verj' good, 
and he found it necessarj- to seek a change of climate. 
He dis|K>sed of his librar)' and started to. seek 
a new home. His intention was to join his friend. 



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•Sargent S. Prentiss, at Vicksburg, Miss., but on his 
arrival at Cincinnati, .\lr. Felch was attacked by 
cholera, and when he had lecovered sufficiently to 
permit of his traveling, found that the danger of the 
disease was too great to pemiii a journey down the 
river. He therefore determined to come to Michi- 
gan. He first began to practice in this State at Mon- 
roe, where he contmued until 1S43, when he removed 
to .Ann .\rlx5r. He was elected to Uie State Legisla- 
ture in 1835, and continued a member of that body 
during the years 1836 and 1837. While he held thi^ 
office, the general banking law of the State was enact- 
ed, and went into oiieration. After mature delibera- 
tion, he became convinced that the proposed system 
of l>anking could not i)rove beneficial to the public 
interests ; and that, instead of relieving the jseople 
from the pecuniary difficulties under which they were 
lalioring, it would result in still further embarrass- 
meTit. He, therefore, oi)|)osed the bill, and jxjinted 
out to the House the disasters which, in his opinion, 
were sure to follow its passage. The public mind, 
however, was so favorably impressed by the hieasure 
that no other member, in either branch of the Legisla- 
ture, raised a dissenting voice, and but two voted with 
him in opjosition to the bill. Early in 1S38, he was 
appointed one of the Bank Commissioners of the 
State, and held that office for more than a year. I )ur- 
ing this time, the new banking law had given birth to 
that numerous progeny known as "wild-cat" banks. 
Almost every village had its bank. The country was 
flooded with depressed "wild-cat" money. The ex- 
aminations of the Bank Commissioners brought to 
liyht frauds at everv' ])oint, which were fearlessly re- 



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ii8 



ALPHEU3 FELCH. 



iwrted to the Legislature, and were followed by crim- 
inal prosecutions of the guilty i>arttes, and the closing 
of many of their institutions. The duties of the of- 
fice were most laborious, and in 1839 Mr. Kelch re- 
signed. The chartered right of almost every bank 
had, in the meantime, been declared forfeited and 
the law repealed. It was subsequently decided to 
be constitutional by the Supreme Court of the State. 
In the year 1S42 Governor Fclch was appointed 
to the office of Auditor Oeneral of the State; but 
after holding the office only a few weeks, was com- 
missioned by the Governor as one of the Judges of the 
Supreme Court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resig- 
nation of Judge Fletcher. In Januar)', 1843, he was 
elected to the United States Senate for an unexpired 
term. In 1845 he was elected Governor of Michigan, 
and entered upon his duties at the commencement of 
the next year. In 1847 he was elected a Senator 
in Congress for six years ; and at once retired from 
the office of Governor, by resignation, which took 
effect March 4, 1847, when his Senatorial term com- 
menced. While a member of the Senate he acted on 
the Committee on Public Lands, and for four years 
was its Cliairman. He filled the honorable iX)sition 
of Senator with becoming dignity, and with great 
credit to the State of Michigan. 

During Governor Fetch's administration the two 
railroads belonging to the State were sold to private 
corporations, — the Central for $2,000,000, and the 
Southern for $500,000. The exjwrts of the State 
amounted in 1846 to $4,647,608. The total capacity 
of vessels enrolled in the collection district at Detroit 
was 26,928 tons, the steam vessels having 8,400 and 
the sailing vessels 18,528 tons, the whole giving em- 
ployment to 18,000 seamen. In 1847, there were 39 
counties in the State, containing 435 townships ; and 
275 of these townships were sui)plied with good libra- 
ries, containing an aggregate of 37,000 volumes. 

Al the close of his Senatorial term, in March, 1853, 
Mr. Fell h was apjwinted, by President Pierce, one of 
I the C'ommissioners to adjust and settle the Spanish 



and Mexican land claims in California, under the 

treaty of Gaudaliipe Hidalgo, and an act of Congress 
passed for that pur[X)se. He went to C'alifornia in 
May, 1853, and was made President uf tlie Commis- 
sion. The duties of this office were of the most im- 
portant and delicate character. The interest of the 
new State, and the fortunes of many of its citizens, 
both the native Mexican jwpulation and the recent 
American immigration ; the right of the Pueblos to 
their common lands, and of the Catholic Church to 
the lands of the Missions, — the most valuable of the 
State, — werein volved in the adjudications of this Com- 
mission. In March, 1856, their labors were brought 
to a close by the final disixjsition of all the claims 
which were presented. The record of their proceed- 
ings, — the testimony which was given in each case, 
and the decision of the Commissioners thereon, — 
consisting of some forty large volumes, was deposited 
in the Department of the Interior at ^^'ashington. 

In June of that year, Governor Felch returned to 
Ann Arbor, where he has since been engaged princi- 
pally in legal business. Since his return he has 
been nominated for Governor and also for U. S. Sen- 
ator, and twice for Judge of the Supreme Court. But 
the Democratic party, to which he has always been 
attached, being in the minority, he failed of an elec- 
tion. In 1873 he withdrew from the active practice 
of law, and, witli the exception of a tour in Europe, 
in 1875 has since led a life of retirement at his home 
in .\nn Arbor. In 1S77 the University of Michigan 
conferred \\\)o\\ him the degree of LL. D. For 
many years he was one of the Regents of Michigan 
University, and in the spring of 1879 was apixjinted 
Tappan Professor of Law in the same. Mr. Felch is 
the oldest surviving member of the Legislature from 
Monroe Co., the oldest and only surviving Bank Com- 
missioner of the State, the oldest surviving Auditor 
General of the State, the oldest surviving Governor of 
the State, the oldest surviving Judge of the Supreme 
Court of Michigan, and the oldest surviving United , 
States Senator from the State of Michigan. 



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ILLIAM L. GREENLY 

» 

(lovemor of Michigan for the 
year 1847, was lx)m at Hamil- 
ton, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. 
18,1813. He graduated at Un- 
ion GjUege, Schenectady, in 
I S3 1, studied law and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1834. In 
1836, having removed to Michi- 
gan, he settled in Adrian, where 
he has since resided. The year 
following his arrival in Michigan 
lie was elected State Senator and 
served in that capacity until 1839. 
In 1845 he was elected Lieut. Gov- 
ernor and became acting Governor 
•- - by the resignation of Gov. Felch, 

ti^ wlio was elected to the I'nited 
3 States Senate. 

i The war with Mexico was brought 

to a successful termination during Gov. Greenly 's 
administration. We regret to say that tliere are only 
few records extant of the action of Michigan troops 
in the Mexican war. That many went there and 
fought well are points conccsded ; but their names and 
nativity are hidden .iw.iy in United States archives 



and where it is almost impossible to find them. 

The soldiers of this State deser\'e much of the 
credit of the memorable achievements of Co. K, 3d 
Dragoons, and Cos. .\, E, and G of the L'. S. Inf 
The two former of these companies, recruited in this 
State, were reduced to one-third their original num- 
ber. 

In -May, i846,the Governor of Michigan was noti- 
fied by the War Department of the United States to 
enroll a regiment of volunteers, to be held in readi- 
ness for service whenever demanded. At his sum- 
mons 13 independent volunteer companies, 1 1 of 
infantry and two of cavalry, at once fell into line. Of 
the infantry four companies were from Detroit, bear- 
ing the honored names of Montgomery, Lafayette, 
Scott and Brady upon their banners. Of the re- 
mainder Monroe tendered two, Lenawee County three, 
St. Clair, Berrien and Hillsdale each one, and Wayne 
County an additional company. Of these alone the 
veteran Bradys were accepted and ordered into ser- 
vice. In addition to them ten companies, making the 
First Regiment of Michigan Volunteers, springing 
from various parts of the State, but embodying to a 
great degree the material of which the first volunteers 
was formed, were not called for until October follow- 
ing. This regiment was soon in readiness and pro- 
ceeded by orders from Government to the seat of war. 



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HE HON. EPAPHRODI- 
TUS RANSOM, the Seventli 
Governor of Michigan, was a 
native of Massachusetts. In 
tliat State he received a col- 
legiate education, studied law, 
and was admitted to the bar. 
Removing to Michigan ahout 
the time of its admission to the 
Union, he took up his residence 
at Kalamazoo. 

Mr. Ransom served with marked 
. ability for a number of years in the 
State Legislature, and in 1837 he was apiwinted As- 
sociate Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1843 he 
was jiromoted to Chief Justice, which office he re- 
tained until 1S45, when he resigned. 

Shortly afterwards he became deeply interested in 
the building of plank roads in the western pwrtion of 
the State, and in this business lost the greater jxjrtion 
of the property which he had accumulated by years 
of toil and industry. 

Mr. Ransom became Ciovernor of the State of 
Michigan in the fall of 1847, and served during one 
term, iierforming the duties of the office in a truly 
statesmanlike manner. He subsequently became 
President of the Michigan Agricultural Society, in 
which )iosition he displayed the same ability that 



shone forth so jjrominently in his acts as Governor. 
He held the office of Regent of the Michigan Univer- 
sity several times, and ever advocated a liberal policy 
in its management. 

Subsequently he was apjiointed receiver of the 
land office in one of the districts in Kansas, by Pres- 
ident Buchanan, to which State he had removed, and 
where he died before the ex])iration of his term of 
office. 

We sum up the events and affairs of the State un- 
der Gov. Ransom's administration as follows: The 
Asylum for the Insane was establised, as also the 
Asylum for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. Both of 
these institutes were liberally endowed with lands, 
and each of them placed in charge of a board of five 
trustees. The appropriation in 1849 for the deaf and 
dumb and blind amounted to $81,500. On the first 
of March, 1848, the first telegraph line was com- 
pleted from New York to Detroit, and the first dis- 
patch transmitted on that day. The foUowmg figures 
show the progress in agriculture: The land reixjrted 
as under cultivation in 1S48 was 1,437,460 acres; of 
wheat there were produceil 4,749,300 bushels; other 
grains, 8,197,767 bushels; wool, 1,645,756 [wunds; 
maple sugar, 1,774,369 jMunds ; horses, 52,305 ; cat- 
tle, 2to,268; swine, 152,541; sheep, 610,534; while 
the flour mills numbered 228, and the lumber mills 
amounted to 730. 1S47, an act was passed removing 
the Legislature from Detroit to Lansing, and tem|X)- 
lary buildings for the use of the Legislature were im- 
mediately erected, at a cost of §12,450. 



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uOI/.M.VOJi'.S OF MJC///(J.U\. 



129 




^^fe^ i^)HERT McClelland 






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OBERT N[cCl.ELLANI), 
(iovernor of Michigan from 
Jan. I, 1852, to March 8, 1853, 
was born at Grcencastle, Frank- 
■"■^ lin Co., Penn., Aug. i, 1807. 
\. e";;^'7 A nionj' his ancestors were several 
officers of rank \\\ the Revolution- 
ary war, and some of his family con- 
'\. nections were distinguished in the 
war of 1812, and that with Mexico. 
^' His father was an eminent physician 
and surgeon who studied under Dr. 
Benj. Rush, of Philadelphia, and 
practiced his profession successfully 
until six months before his death, at 
the age of 84 years. .Mthough Mr. 
McCletland's family had been in good circum- 
stances, when he was 17 years old he was thrown 
uiwn his own resources, .\fter taking the usual pre- 
liminary studies, and teaching school to obtain the 
means, he entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle, 
Penn., from which he graduated among the first in 
his class, in 1S29. He then resumed teaching, and 
having completed the course of study for the legal 
profession, was admitted to the liar at Chambersburg, 
Penn., in iSji. Soon afterward he removed to the 
city of Pittsburgh, where he practiced for almost a 
year. 

In 1.S33, .\lr. McClelland removed !o Monroe, in 

-^ 



tlie Territory of Michigan, where, after a severe ex- 
amination, he became a member of the bar of Michi- 
gan, and engaged in practice with bright prospect of 
success. In 1835, a convention was called to frame 
a constitution for the proix)sed State of Michigan, of 
which Mr. McClelland was elected a member. He 
took a i)rominent i)art in its deliberations and ranked 
among its ablest debaters. He was ap[X)inted the 
first Bank Commissioner of the State, by Cuv. Mason, 
and received an offer of the -\ttorney Generalship, but 
declined both of these offices in order to attend to his 
])rofessional duties. 

In 1838, Mr. .McClelland was elected to the State 
Legislature, in which he soon became distinguished 
as the he.ad of several imi»rtant committees. S|>eaker 
pro tempor<\ and as an active, zealous and efficient 
member. In 1840, Gen. Harrison, as a candidatefor 
the Presidency, swept the country with an overwhelm- 
ing majority, and at tlie same time the State of Michi- 
gan was carried by the Whigs under the popular cry 
of " Woodbridge and reform " against the Democratic 
party. .'\t this time Mr. MiC'lelland stood among the 
acknowledged leaders of the latter organization ; was 
elected a member of the State House of Representa- 
tives, and with others adopted a jilan to regain ,1 lost 
authority and prestige. 

This party soon came again into |K)wer in the .State, 
and having been returned to the .State Legislature Mr. 
McClelland's leadership was a<knowledged by his 
ele< lion .is Speaker of the House "f Kcptescnt.iiivcs 



■► ^ ■i <» 




_f 



I ;o 



ROBERT McCLELI.AXD 



in 1843. Down to this time Michigan had consti- 
tuted one congressional district. The hue Hon. Jacob 
M. Howard had been elected against Hon, Alpheus 
Felchby a strong majority, but, in 1843,50 thoroughly 
liad the Democratic party recovered from its defeat 
of 1840 that Mr McClelland^ as a candidate for Con- 
gress, carried Detroit district by a majority of about 
2,500. Mr. McClelland soon toc'r 1 prominent ix)si 
lion in Congress among the veteians of that body 
During his fust term lie was placed on Committee on 
Commerce, and organized and carried through what 
were known as the " Harbor bills. ' The continued 
confidence of his constituency was manifested in his 
election to the 29th Congress. At the opening of this 
session he had acquired a National reputation, and so 
favorably was he known as a parlimentarian that his 
name was mentioned for Speaker of the House of Rep- 
resentatives He declined the offer in favor of J. W. 
Davis, of Indiana, who was elected. During this term 
he became Chairman of Committee on Commerce, in 
which jxjsition his reiwrts and advocacy of important 
measures at once attracted public attention. The 
members of this committee, as an evidence of the es- 
teem in which they held his services and of their 
personal regard for hiin, presented him with a cane 
which he retains as a souvenir of the donors, and of 
his labors in Congress. 

In 1847, Mr McClelland was re-elected to Con- 
gress, and at the opening of the 30th Congress be- 
came a member of the Committee on Foreign Rela- 
tions. While acting in this capacity, what was known 
as the " French Sixjliation Bill" came und.r his spe- 
cial charge, and his management of the same was such 
as to conimand universal approbation. While in 
Congress, Mr. McClelland was an advocate of the 
right of petition as maintained by John Q. Adams, 
when the petition, was clothed in decorous language 
and presented in the ])roper manner. This he re- 
garded as the citizens'constitutional right which should 
not be impaired by any doctrines of teini)orary e.xpe- 
diency. He also voted for the adoption of Mr. Gid- 
dings's bill for the abolishing of slavery in the District 
of Columbia, Mr, McClelland was one of the few 
Democrats associated with David Wilmot, of Penn- 
sylvania, in bringing forward the celebrated "Wilmot 
Proviso," with a view to jjrevent further extension of 
slavery in new territory which might be acquired by 
the United States. He and Mr. Wilmot were to- 
gether at the time in Washington, and on intimate 
and confidential terms, Mr McClelland was in sev- 
eral National conventions and in the Baltimore con- 
vention, which nominated Cen. Cass for President, 
in 1848, doing valiant s.;rvice that year for »>e elec- 
tion of that distinguished statesman. On leaving 
Congress, in 1848, Mr, McClellnnd returned to the 
practice of his profession at Monroe. In 1850 a 
convention of tlie State of Michigan was called to 
revise the State constitution He was elected a 



member and was regarded therein as among the ablest 
and most experienced leaders, His clear judgment 
and wise moderation were conspicuous, both in the 
committee room and on the floor, in debate. In 1850, 
he was President of the Democra'iic .State convention 
which adopted resolutions in supix)rt of Henry Clay's 
famous compromise measures, of which Mr McClel- 
land was a strong advocate He was a member of 
the Democratic National convention in 1852, and in 
that year in company with Gen Cass and Governor 
Felch, he made a thorough canvass of the State. 
He continued earnestly to advocate the Clay com- 
promise measures, and took an active part in the 
canvass which resulted in the election of Gen Pierce 
to the Presidency 

In 185 I, the new Stat; constitution took effect and 
it was necessary that a Governor should be elected 
for one year in order to prevent an interregnum, and 
to bring the State Government into operatir "- inder 
the new constitution Mr McClelland was elected 
Governor, and in the fall of 1852 was re-elected for 
a term of two years, from Jan, i, 1853. His admin- 
istration was regarded as wise, prudent and concilia- 
tory, and was as popular as could be expected at a 
time when party sjarit ran high. There was really 
no opiX)sition,and when he resigned, in March, 1853. 
the State Treasury was well filled, and the State 
otherwise prosperous. So widely and favorably had 
Mr. McClelland become known as a statesman that on 
the organization of thecabinct by President Pierce, in 
March, 1 85 3, he was made Secretary of the Interior, in 
which capacity he served most creditably during four 
years of the Pierce administration. He thoroughly 
re-organized his department and reduced theexjjend- 
itures. He .adopted a course with the Indians which 
relieved them from the imiwsitions and annoyances 
of the traders, and produced harmony and civilization 
among them. During his administration there was 
neither complaint from the tribes nor corruption among 
agents, and he left the department in perfect order 
and system In 1867, Michigan again called a con- 
vention to revise the State constitution Mr. McClel- 
land was a member and here again his long experi- 
ence made him conspicuous as a prudent adviser, a 
sagacious parliamentary leader. As a lawyer he was 
terse and pointed in argument, clear, candid and im- 
pressive in his addresses to the jury His sincerity 
and earnestness, with which was occasionally mingled 
a i)leasant humor, made him an able and effective 
advocate. In sjieaking hefore the people on political 
subjects he was esi)ei:ially forcible and happy. In 
1S70 h>" made the tour of Euroi^e, which, through his 
extensive personal accpiaintance with European di]^ 
lomates. he was enabled to enjoy much more than 
most travelers 

Mr. McClelland married, in 1S37, Miss Sarah 
E. Sabin, oi Williamstown, Mass. They have had 
six children two of whom now survive. 






i 



1 



•^m ^* 



GOlKN.yOJiS OF MICIUGAX. 



■» II » 



'33 





AXDRKW PAKSjOXi, I 

■'it 






I- 



J NDKKW I'ARSONS, l.uvcr- 
%1 nor of Michigan from Marcli 
8, 1853 to Jan. 3, (855, was 
born in the town of Hoosick, 
pa County of Rensselaer, and 
State of New York, on the 2 id 
day of July, 1817, and died June 
6, 1855, at the early age of 38 
years. He was the son of John 
Parsons, born at Newhuryixjrt, 
fMass., Oct. 2, 1782, and who was the 
son of Andrew Parsons, a Revolutionary 
soldier, who was the son of Phineas 
Parsons, the son of Samuel Parsons, 
a descendant of Walter Parsons, lK)rn 
in Ireland in 1290. 
Of this name and family, some one hundred and 
thirty years ago. Bishop Ciilson remarked in his edi- 
tion of Camden's Britannia: "The honorable family 
of Parsons have been advanced to the dignity of 
Viscounts and more lately Karls of Ross." 

The following are descendants of these filmilie^; 
Sir John Parsons, born 1481, was Mayor of Hereford; 
Robert Parsons, born in 1546, lived near Hridgewater, 
England. He was educated at Ballial College, Ox- 
ford, and was a noted writer and defender of the 
Romish faith. He established an Knglish College at 
Rome and another at Valladolia. Frances Parsons, 
Iwrn in 1556, was Vicar of Rot hwell, in Notingham; 
Bartholomew Parsons, born in 1618, was another 
noted member of the family. In i634,Thoin.is Parsons 
was knighted by Charles 1. Joseph and Benjamin, 
<r ithers, were l)Orn in C.reat Torrington, England, 



and accompanied their father and others 10 New 
I^ngland aiioiit i<)30. Samuel Parsons, born at Salis- 
bury, Mass., in 1707, graduated at Harvard College in 
1730, ordained at Rye, N. H.,Nov. 3, 1736, married 
Mary Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones, of Hostoi , 
Oct. 9, 1739, died Jan. 4, 1789, at the age of 82, in 
the 53rd year of his ministry. The grandfatherof Mary 
Jones was Capt. John Adams, of Boston, grandson 
of Henry, of Hraintree, who was among the first set- 
tlers of Massachusetts, and from whom a numerous 
race of the name are descended, intruding two Presi- 
dents of the United States. The Parsons have be- 
come very numerous and are found throughout New 
England, and many of the descedants are scattered 
in all parts of the United States, and especially in 
the Middle and Western States. (lovernor .Andrew 
Parsons came to Michigan in 1835, at the age of 17 
years, and sjieiit the first summer at Ix)Wer .Ann 
.\rl)or, where for a few months he taught school which 
he was compelled to abandon from ill health 

He was one of the large number of men of sterling 
worth, who came from the Hast to Michigan when it 
was an infant State, or, even prior to its assuming 
the dignity of a State, and who, by their wisdom, 
enterprise and energy, have developed its wonderful 
natural resources, until to-day it ranks with the proud- 
est States of the I'nion. These brave men came to 
Michigan with nothing to aid them in the conipiest 
of the wilderness save courageous hearts and strong 
and willing hands. They gloriously conquered, how- 
ever, and to them is due all honor for the lal)ors 
so nobly performe«l, for the solid and sure foundation 
which they laid of a great Commonwealth. 






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u 



'34 



ANDREW F ARSONS 



In the fall of 1835, he explored the Grand River 
Valley in a frail canoe, the whole length of the river, 
from Jackson to Lake Michigan, and spent the following 
winter as clerk in a store at Prairie Creek, in Ionia, 
County, and in the spring went to Marshall, where he 
resided witli his brother, the Hon. Luke H. Parsons, 
also now deceased, until fall, when he went to Shia- 
wasseCounty.then with Clinton County, and an almost 
unbroken wilderness and constituting one organized 
township. In 1S37 this territory was organized into 
a county and, at the age of only 19 years, he (An- 
drew) was elected County Clerk. In 1840, he was 
elected Register of Deeds, re-elected in 1842, and 
also in 1844. In 1846, he was elected to the State 
Senate, was apiwinted Prosecuting Attorney in 1848, 
and elected Regent of the University in 185 i, and 
Lieutenant (jovernor, and became acting Governor, 
in 1853, elected again to the Legislature in 1854, and, 
overcome by debilitated health, hard labor and tlic 
res|X)nsil)ilities of his office and cares of his business, 
retired to his farm, where he died soon after. 

He was a fluent and persuasive speaker and well 
calculated to make friends of his acquantances. He 
was always true to his trust, and the whole world 
could not persuade nor drive him to do what he con- 
ceived to be wrong. When Governor, a most power- 
ful railroad influence was brought to bear uixsn him, 
to induce liim to call an extra session of the Legisla- 
ture. .Meetings were held in all parts of the State 
for that purpose. In some sections the resolutions 
were of a laudatory natvire, intending \o make him do 
their bidding by resort to friendly and flattering words. 
In other places the resolutions were of a demanding 
nature, while in others they were threatening beyond 
measure. Fearing that all these influences might 
fail to induce him to call the extra session, a large 
sum of money was sent him, and liberal ofl"ers ten- 
dered him if he would gratify the railroad interest of 
the State and call the extra session, but, immovable, 
he returned the money and refused to receive 
any favois, whether from any i)arty who would at- 
tempt irt corrupt him by laudations, liberal ofl'ers, or 



by threats, and in a short letter to the people, after 
giving overwhelming reasons that no sensible man 
could dispute, showing the circumstances were not 
"extraordinary," he refused to call the extra session. 
This brought down the wrath of various parties ujx)n 
his head, but they were soon forced to acknowledge 
the wisdom and the justice of his course. One of 
his greatest enemies said, after a long acquaintance : 
"tliough not always coinciding with his views I never 
doubted his lionesty of purjxjse. He at all times 
sought to perform his duties in strict accordance, 
with the dictates of his conscience, and the behests 
of his oath." 'The following eulogium from a i)olitcaloj>- 
ixinent is just in its conception and creditable to its 
author: ''Gov. Parsons was a iwlitician of the Dem- 
ocratic school, a man of pure moral character, fixed 
and exemplary habits, and entirely blameless in every 
public and private relation of life. As a ix)litician he 
was candid, liank and free from bitterness, as an ex- 
ecutive officer firm, constant and reliable." The 
highest commendations we can pay the deceased is 
to give his just record, — that of being an honest man. 
In the spring of 1854, during the administration of 
Governor Parsons, the Republican i)arty, at least 
as a State organization, was lirst formed in the United 
States "under the oaks" at Jackson, by anti-slavery 
men of both the old parties, (ireat excitement pre- 
vailed at this time, occasioned by the settling of 
Kansas, and the issue thereby brought up, whether 
slavery should exist there. For the purpose of permit- 
ting slavery there, the " Missouri compromise " (which 
limited slavery to the south of 36° 30") was re- 
repealed, under the leadership of Stephen .\, Douglas. 
This was repealed by a bill admitting Kansas and 
Nebraska into the Union, as Territories, and those who 
were opposed to this repeal measure were in short 
called " anti-N'ebraska " men. The epithets, " Ne- 
braska" and "anti-Nebraska," were teni]X)ralIy em- 
ployed to designate the slavery and anti-slavery 
parties, pending the desolution of the old Democratic 
and Whig jiarties and the organization of the new 
Democratic and Republican parties of the present. 




n.. .f)|l 

4 




I 



■♦■ 



GOVERNORS OF MJCIIIGAN. 



'37 



I- 





^^ 



U3^-^,. 



KiNSLRY ©. BiNQHAM.. 






>-, ■ 



X 

^ 



\ INSLEY S. BINGHAM, 
* lovernor of Michigan from 
1855 to 1859, and United 
ij States Senator, was born in 
^ Camillus, Onondaga County, 
X. v., Dec. 16. 1808. His 
father was a farmer, and his own 
early hfe was consequently de- 
voted to agricultural pursuits, but 
notwithstanding the disadvan- 
iL tages related to the acijuisition 
of knowledge in the life of a farmer 
he managed to secure a good aca- 
demic education in his native State 
and studied law in the office of 
("len. James R. Lawrence, now of 
Syracuse, N. Y. In the spring of 
1 833, he married an estimable lady 
who had recently arrived from Scot- 
land, and obeying the impulse of a 
naturally enterprising dis]X)sition, 
he emigrated to Michigan and 
purchased a new farm in company 
' with his brother-in-law, Mr. Robert 
^Vorden, in Green Oak, Livingston County. Hereon 
the border of civilization, buried in the primeval for- 
est, our late student commenced the arduous task of 
preparing a future home, clearing and fencing, put- 
ling up buildings, etc.. at such .i rate that the land 



I 



chosen was soon reduced to a high state of cultivation. 

Becoming deservedly prominent, Mr. Bingham was 
elected to the office of Justice of the Peace and Post- 
master under the Territorial government, and was the 
first Probate Judge in the county. In the year 1836, 
when Michigan became .a State, he was elected to the 
first Legislature. He was four times re-elected, and 
Speaker of the House of Representatives three years. 
In 1S46 he was elected on the Democratic ticket, Re(j- 
resentative to Congress, and was the only practical 
farmer in that body. He was never forgetful of the 
interest of agriculture, and was in particular opiX)sed 
to the introduction of " Wood's Patent Cast Iron 
Plow " which he completely prevented. He was re- 
electeil to Congress in 1S48, during which time he 
strongly opposed the extension of slavery in the 
territory of the United States and was committed to 
and voted for the Wilmot Proviso. 

In 1854, at the first organization of the Republican 
party, in consequence of his record in Congress as a 
Free Soil Democrat, Mr. Bingham was nominated 
and elected Governor of the State, and re-elected in 
1856. Still faithful to the memory of his own former 
occupation, he did not forget the farmers during his 
administration, and among other profits of his zeal in 
their behalf, he became mainly instrumental in the 
establishment of the .Agricultural College at Lansing. 

In 1S59, Governor Bingham was elected Senator in 
Congress and took an active part in the stormy cam- 
paign in the election of Abraham Linioln. He wit- 



f 



138 



KINSLEY S. BINGHAM. 



•» I I ^ 



nessed the commencement of the civil war while a 
member of the United States Senate. After a com- 
paratively short life of remarkable promise and pub- 
lic activity he was attacked with apix)plc.xy and died 
suddenly at his residence, in (ireen Oak, Oct. 5, 1861. 

The most noticable event in Governor Bingham's 
first term was the completion of the ship canal, at the 
Falls of St. Mary. In 1852, Angust 26, an act of 
Congress was approved, granting to the State of Mich- 
igan seven hundred and fifty thousand acres of land 
for the purpose of constructing a sliip canal between 
Lakes Huron and Superior. In 1853, the Legislature 
accepted 'lie grant, and provided tor the appointment 
of commissioners to select the donated lands, and to 
arrange for building the canal. A company of enter- 
prising men was formed, and a contract was entered 
into by which it was arranged that the canal should 
be finished in two years, and the work was pushed 
rapidly forward. Every article of consumption, ma- 
chinery, working implements and materials, timber 
for the gates, stones for the locks, as well as men and 
supplies, iiad to be transported to the site of the canal 
from Detroit, Cleveland, and other lake jwrts. The 
rapids which had to be surmounted have a fall of 
seventeen feet and are about one mile long. The 
length of the canal is less than one mile, its width one 
hundred feet, depth twelve feet and it has two locks 
of solid masonary. In May, 1855, the work was com- 
pleted, accepted by the commissioners, and formally 
delivered to the State authorities. 

The disbursements on account of the construction 
of the canal and selecting the lands amounted to one 
million of dollars; while the lands which were as- 
signed to the company, and selected through the 
agency at the Sault, as well as certain lands in the 
Upper and Lower Peninsulas, filled to an acre the 
Crovernment grant. The opening of the canal was 
an imixjrtant event in the history of the improvement 
of the State. It was a valuable link in the chain of 
lake commerce, and particulariy im[X)rtant to the 
interests of the Upper Peninsula. 

There were several educational, charitable and re- 
formatory institutions inaugurated and opened during 
Gov. Bingham's administrations. The Michigan Ag- 
ricultural College owes its establishment to a provision 
of the State Constitution of 1850. Article 13 says, 
" The Legislature shall, as s(X3n as [iracticalile, i)ro- 
vide for the establishment of an agricultural school." 
For the pur|)ose of carving into practice this provision, 
legislation was commenced in 1855, and the act re- 
quired that the school should lie within ten miles of 
Lansing, and that not more than §15 an acre should 
be paid for the farm and college grounds. The col- 
lege was opened to students in May, 1857, the first of 
existing argricultural colleges in the United States 
Until the spring of i86i,it was under the control 
of the State Board of Education; since that time it 
has been under the management of the State Board 

A* 



of Agriculture, which was created for that purpose. 

In its essential features, of combining study and 
labor, and of uniting general and professional studies 
in its course, the college has remained virtually un- 
changed from the first. It has a steady growth in 
number of students, in means of illustration and 
efficiency of instruction. 

The Agricultural College is three miles east of 
Lansing, comprising several fine buildings; and there 
are also very beautiful, substantial residences for the 
professors. There are also an extensive, well-filled 
green-house, a very large and well-equipped chemical 
laboratory, one of the most scientific apiaries in the 
United States, a general museum, a meseum of me- 
chanical inventions, another of vegetable products, 
extensive barns, piggeries, etc., etc., in fine trim for 
the purposes designed. The farm consists of 676 
acres, of which about 300 are under cultivation in a 
systematic rotation of crops. 

Adrian College was established by the Wesleyan 
Methodists in 1859, now under the control of the 
Methodist Church. The grounds contain about 20 
acres. There are four buildings, capable of accom- 
modating about 225 students. Attendance in 1875 
was 179; total number of graduates for previous year, 
121 ; ten professors and teachers are enqjloyed. Ex- 
clusive of the endowment fund (§60,000), the assets 
of the institution, including grounds, buildings, furni- 
ture, apparatus, musical instruments, outlying lands, 
etc., amount to more than §137,000. 

Hillsdale College was established in 1855 by the 
Free Baptists. The Michigan Central College, at 
Spring ,\rbor, was incorporated in 1845 It was kept 
in operation until it was merged into the present 
Hillsdale College. The site comprises 25 acres, 
beautifully situated on an eminence in the western 
part of the city of Hillsdale. The large and imiws- 
ing building first erected was nearly destroyed by fire 
in 1874, and in its place five buildings of a more 
modern style have been erected. They are of brick, 
three stories with basement, arranged on three sides 
of a quadrangle. The size is, respectively, 80 by 80, 
48 by 7 2, 48 by 7 2, 80 by 60, 52 by 72, and they con- 
tain one-half more room than the original buildmg. 
The State Reform School. This was established 
at Lansing in 1855, in the northeastern ixjrtion of the 
city, as the House of Correction for Juvenile Of- 
fenders, having alx)ut it many of the features of a 
prison. In 1 S59 the name was changed to the State 
Reform School. The government and dicipline, have 
i;ndergone many and radical changes, until all the 
prison features have been removed except those that 
remain in the walls of the original structure, and 
which remain only as monuments of instructive his- 
tory. No bolts, bars or guards are employed. The 
inmates are necessarily kept under the surveillance of 
officers, but the attempts at escape are much fewer 
than under the more rigid regime of former days. 

-— -— .^ 





O^^^je^ ^^A-Z.^4~-i^^^.C^-y-^ 






Goi'i-:Rxo/is OF MICH la. IN. 



■«»• 



141 





^^fe^ 



M())SS;E,i \yiSXEK 



^^Sl 



w<s^ /w^ 




'^^*^ 








< )SES WISNER. Governor of 
Michigan from 1S59 to 1861, 
was born in Springiwrt, Cayu- 
ga Co., N Y., June 3, 1 81 5. 
His early education was only 
what could be obtained at a 
^common school. Agricultural labor 
and frugality of his parents gave 
him a physical constitution of unus- 
" Wal strength and endurance, which 
/^was ever preserved by temperate hab- 
its. In 1837 he emigrated to Michi- 
K? gan and purchased a farm in Lapeer 
County It was new land and he at 
once set to work to clear it and [jlant 
crops. He labored diligently at his 
task for two years, when he gave up 
the idea of being a farmer, and removed to Pontiac, 
(Jakland Co. Here he commenced the study of law 
in the office of his brother, George W. Wisner. and 
Rufus Hosmer. In iS.^i he was admitted to ths bar 
and established himself in his new vocation at the 
village of Lapeer. While there he was app|X)inted 
by Gov. Woodbridge Prosecuting .Attorney for that 
county, in which cai)acity he acipiitted himself well 
and gave promise of that eminence he afterward at- 
tained in the profession. He remained at La|)eerbut 
a short time, removing to Pontiac, where he became 
a member of a firm and entered fully u]K)n the 
practice. 

In politics he was like his talented brother, a Whig 
o!' the Henry Clay stamp, but with a derided anti- 
slaverv bia";. His practice befoming extensive, ho 






look little part in [wlitics until after the election of 
iMr. Pierce to the Presidency in 1852, when lie took an 
active part against slavery. As a lawyer he was a 
man uf great ability, but relied less uixjn mere book 
learning than upon his native good sense. Liberal 
and courteous, was he yet devoted to the interest of 
his client, and no facts escaped his attention or his 
memory which bore u\K)n the case. He was no friend 
of trickery or artifice in conducting a case As an ad- 
vocate he had few equals. When fully aroused by the 
merits of his subject his eloriuence was at once grace- 
ful and powerful. His fancies supplied the most 
original, the most [winted illustrations, and his logic 
became a battling giant under whose heavy blows the 
adversary shrank and withered. Nature had be- 
stowed uix)n him rare qualities, and his i«wers as a 
]X)pular orator were of a high order. 

On the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 
1854, repealing the Missouri compromise and opening 
the Territories to slavery, he was among the foremost 
in Michigan to denounce the shamful scheme. He 
actively participated in organizing and consolidating 
the elements opixssed to it in that State, and was a 
member of the [wpular gathering at Jackson, in July, 
1854, which was the first formal Republican Conven- 
tion held in the United States. At this meeting the 
name " Republican " was adopted as a designation of 
the new party consisting of Anti-slavery, Whips, 
Liberty men. Free Soil Democrats and all others oj)- 
|x>sed to the e.xtension of slavery' and favorable to its 
expulsion from tlie Territories and the District of 
CxDliimbia. .M this convention Mr. W. was urged to 
.ii.eiit the nomination for Attorney General 'if ihe 



t. 



•<•■ 



\A2 



■«»- 



MOSES IVISMZiR. 



■t 



State, but declined. An entire State ticket was nom- 
inated and at the annual election in Xovember was 
elected hy an average majority of nearly 1 0,000. 
Mr. W. was enthusiastic in the cause and brought to 
its supixirt all his personal influence and talents. In 
his views he was bold and radical. He believed from 
the beginning that the political jxawer of the slave- 
holders would have to be overthrown before iiuiet 
could be secured to the country. In the Presidential 
canvass of 1856 he supported the Fremont, or Re- 
IHiblican, ticket. At the session of the Legislature of 
1857 he was a candidate for United States Senator, 
and as such received a very handsome supiwrt. 

In 1858, he was nominated for Governor of the 
State by the Republican convention that met at De- 
troit, and at the subseiiuent November election was 
chosen by a very large majority. Before the day of 
the election he had addressed the people of almost 
every county and his majority was greater even than 
that of his jwpular predecessor, Hon. K. S. Bingham. 
He served as Governor two years, from Jan. 1, 1859, 
to Jan. I, 1861. His first message to the Legislature 
was an able and statesman-like production, and was 
read with usual favor. It showed that he was awake 
to all tlie interests of the State and set forth an en- 
lightened State ixjlicy, that had its view of the rapid 
settlement of our uncultivated lands and the devel- 
opment of our immense agricultural and mineral re- 
sources. It was a document that reflected tlie highest 
credit upon the author. 

His term having expired Jan. i, 1861, he returned 
to his home in Pontiac, and to the practice of his 
profession. There were those in the State who 
counselled the sending o( delegates to the peace con- 
ference at Washington, but Mr. W. was opposed to all 
such temporizing e.\pedients. His counsel was to 
send no delegate, but to prepare to fight. 

After Congress had met and passed the necessary 
legislation he resoh cd to take part in the war. In 
the spring and summer of 1862 he set to work to 
raise a regiment of infantry, chiefly in Oakland 
County, where he resided. His regiment, the 22d 
Michigan, was armed and ciuipjied and ready to 
march in September, a regiment whose solid quali- 
ties were afterwards proven on many a bloody field. 
Col. W's. commission Iwre the date of Sept. 8, 1862. 
Before parting wth his family he made his will. His 
regiment was sent to Kentucky and quartered at 



Camp Wallace. He had at the breaking out of the 
war turned his attention to military studies and be- 
came proficient in the ordinary rules and discipline. 
His entire attention was now devoted to his duties. 
His treatment of his men was kind, though his disci- 
pline was rigid. He possessed in an eminent degree 
the spirit of command, and had he lived he would 
no doubt have distinguished himself as a good 
officer. He was impatient of delay and chafed at 
l)eing kept in Kentucky where there was so little 
prospect of getting at the enemy. But life in camp, 
so different from the one he had been leading, and 
his incessant labors, coupled with that impatience 
which was so natural and so general among the vol- 
imteers in the early part of the war, soon made tlieir 
influence felt upon his health. He was seized with 
typhoid fever and removed to a private house near 
Lexington. Every care which medical skill or the 
hand of friendship could bestow was rendered him. 
In the delirious wanderings of his mind he was dis- 
ciplining his men and urging them to be prepared for 
an encounter with the enemy, enlarging upon the jus- 
tice of their cause and the necessity of their crush- 
ing the Rebellion. But the source of his most l»ig- 
nant gnet was the prospect of not being able to come 
to a hand-to-hand encounter with the "chivalry." 
He was proud of his regiment, and felt that if it could 
find tlie enemy it would cover itself with glory, — -a 
distinction it afterward obtained, but not until Col W. 
was no more. The malady baffled all medical treat- 
ment, and on the 5th day of Jan., 1863, he breathed 
his last. His remains were removed to Michigan and 
interred in the cemetery at Pontiac, where they rest 
by the side of the brave Gen. Richardson, who re- 
ceived his mortal wound at the battle of .Antietam. 
Col. W. was no adventurer, although he was doubtless 
ambitious of military renown and would have striven 
for it with characteristic energy. He went to the war 
to defend and uphold the principles he had so much 
at heart. Few men were more familiar than he with 
the causes and the underlying principles that led to 
the contest. He left a wife, who was a daughter of 
Gen. C. C. Hascall, of Flint, and four children to 
mourn his loss. Toward them he ever showed the 
tenderest regard. Next to his duty their love and 
welfare engrossed his thoughts. He was kind, gen- 
erous and brave, and like thousands of others he 
sleeps the sleep of the martyr for his countrv. 



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GOt'ERXORS OF Af/CH/GAiX. 



I 



«4S 




JdCAto^ _::>«-:=— 




±-=:*" .^i^iSha^ 



AUSTIN BLAIR, ^^ 















USTIN BLAIR, Governor 
of Michigan from Jan. 2, 
1861, to Jan. 4, 1865, and 
kown as the War (iovernor, is 
t and illustration of the benifi- 
cent influence of republican in- 




^ ' — ^^ '^: stitutions, having inherited neith- 
er fortune nor fame. He was born 
in a log cabin at Caroline, Tomp- 
kins Co., N. Y., Feb. 8. 1818. 
His ancestors came from Scot- 
land in the time of George I, and 
for many generations followed the 
pursuit of agriculture. His father, 
I Geo»ge Blair, settled in Tompkins 
County in 1S09, and felled the trees and erected the 
first cabin in the county. The last 60 of the four- 
score years of his life were spent on that six)t. He 
married Rhoda Beackman, who now sleeps with him 
in the soil of the old homestead. The first 17 years 
of Mr. Blair's life were s[)ent there, rendering his 
father what aid he could upon the farm. He then 
spent a year and a half in Cazenovia Seminary pre- 
paring for college ; entered Hamilton College, in 
Clinton, prosecuted his studies until the middle of 
the junior year, when, attracted by the fame of Dr. 
Nott, he changed to Union College, from which he 
graduated in the class of 1839. Upon leaving col- 
lege Mr. Blair read law two years in the office of Sweet 
& Davis, Oswego, N. Y., and was admitted to practice 
in 1 84 1, and the same year moved to Michigan, locat- 

m 'I 



ing in Jackson. During a temiwrary residence in 
Eaton Rapids, in 1842, he was elected Clerk of Eaton 
County. At the close of the official term he returned to 
Jackson, and as a Whig, zealously esiwused the cause 
of Henry Clay in the campaign of 1844. Hewaschosen 
Representative to the Legislature in 1845, at which 
session, as a member of the Judiciary Committee, he 
rendered valuable service in the revision of the gen- 
eral statutes ; also made an able support in favor of 
abolishing the color distinction in relation to the elec- 
tive franchise, and at the same session was active in 
securing the abolition of capital punishment. In 1848 
Mr. Blair refused longer to affiliate with the Whig 
party, because of its refusial to endorse in convention 
any anti-slavery sentiment. He joined the Free-soil 
movement, and was a delegate to their convention 
which nominated Van Buren for President that year. 
Upon the birth of the Rei)ublican party at Jackson, 
in 1S54, by the coalition of the Whig and Free-soil 
elements, Mr. Blair was in full sympathy with the 
movement, and acted as a member of the Committee 
on Platform. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney 
of Jackson County in 1852 ; was chosen State Senator 
two years later, taking his seat with the incoming Re- 
publican administration of 1S55, and holding the 
position of parliamentary leader in the Senate. He 
was a delegate to the National Convention which 
nominated .Abraham Lincoln in i860. Mr. Blair 
was elected Governor of Michigan in i860, and re- 
elected in 1862, faithfully and honorably discharging 
the arduous duties of the office during that most mo- 

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146 



A USTIN BLAIR. 



menlous and stormy period of the Nation's life. (iov. 
Blair jxjssessed a clear comprehension of the perilous 
situation from the inception of the Rebellion, and his 
inaugural address foreshadowed the prompt executive 
policy and the administrative ability which charac- 
terized his gubernatorial career. 

Never perhaps in the history of a nation has a 
brighter example been laid down, or a greater sacri- 
fice been made, than that which distinguished Mich- 
igan during the civil war. All, from the " War Gov- 
ernor." down to the poorest citizen of the State, were 
animated with a patriotic ardor at once magnificiently 
sublime and wisely directed. 

Very early in 1861 the coming struggle cast its 
shadow over the Nation. Governor Blair, in his mes- 
sage to the Legislature in January of that year, dwelt 
very forcibly upon the sad prospects of civil war; and 
as forcibly pledged the State to support the principles 
of the Republic. After a review of the conditions 
of the State, he passed on to a consideration of the 
relations between the free and slave Stales of the 
Republic, saying: " While we arecitizensof the State 
of Michigan, and as such deeply devoted to her in- 
terests and honor, we have a still prouder title. We 
are also citizeas of the United States of America. By 
this title we are known among the nations of the earth. 
In remote quarters of the globe, where the names of 
the States are unknown, the flag of the great Republic, 
the banner of the stars and stripes, honor and protect 
her citizens. In whatever concerns the honor, the 
prosperity and the perpetuity of this great Govern- 
ment, we are deeply interested. The people of Mich- 
igan are loyal to that Government — faithful to its con- 
stitution and its laws. Under it they have had peace 
and prosperity; and under it they mean to abide to 
the end. Feeling a just pride in the glorious history 
of the past, they will not renounce the equally glo- 
rious hopes of the future. But they will rally around 
the standards of the Nation and defend its integrity 
and its constitution, with fidelity." The final para- 
, graph being : 

" I recommend you at an early day to make mani- 



fest to the gentlemen who represent this State in the 
two Houses of Congress, and to the countr)-, that 
Michigan is loyal to the Union, the Constitution, and 
the laws and will defend them to the uttermost; and 
to proffer to the President of the United States, the 
whole military jxiwer of the State for that purjxise. 
Oh, for the firm, steady hand of a Washington, or a 
Jackson, to guide the ship of State in this perilous 
storm ! Let us hope that we will find him on the 4th 
of March. Meantime, let us abide in the faith of our 
fathers — ' Liberty and Union, one and inseparable, 
now and forever.' " 

How this stirring appeal was responded to by the 
people of Michigan will be seen by the statement 
that the State furnished 88,1 II men during the war. 
Money, men, clothing and food were freely and abun- 
dantly supplied by this State during all these years of 
darkness and blood shed. No State won a brighter 
record for her devotion to our country than the Pen- 
insula State, and to Gov. Blair, more than to any 
other individual is due the credit for its untiring zeal 
and labors in the Nation's behalf, and for the heroism 
manifested in its defense. 

Gov. Blair was elected Representative to the 
Fortieth Congress, and twice re-elected, to the Forty- 
first and Forty-second Congress, from the Third Dis- 
trict of Michigan. While a member of that body he 
was a strong supporter of reconstruction measures, 
and sternly opposed every form of repudiation. His 
speech upon the national finances, delivered on the 
floor of the House March 21, 1868, was a clear and 
convincing argument. Since his retirement from Con- 
gress, Mr. Blair has been busily occupied with his ex- 
tensive law practice. Mr. Blair married Sarah L. 
Ford, of ."^eneca County N. Y., in Februar)'. 1849. 
Their family consists of 4 sons — George H., a law 
partner of A. J. Gould ; Charles A., a law partner with 
hir father, and Fred. J. and Austin T. Blair, at home. 
Governor Blair's religion is of the broad type, and 
centers in the "Golden Rule." In 1883, Gov. Blair 
was nominated for Justice of the Supreme Court 
of tlie State by the Republican party, Init was defi'ated. 
l» 



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GO yERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



149 





HENRY H. CRAPO. 





*F^^^*? ENRY HOWLANDCRAPO, 
C.overnor of Michigan from 
'1865 to 1869, was born May 
24, 1804, at Dartmouti), Iiris- 
tol Co., Mass., and tliud at 
Flint, Mich., July 22, 1869. 
He was the eldest son of Jesse 
and Phoebe (Rowland) Crapo. 
His father was of French descent 
and was very poor, sustaining his 
) family i>y the cultivation of a farm in 
Dartmouth township, which yielded 
Miothing beyond a mere livelihood. 
His early life was consequently one 
of toil and devoid of advantages for 
intellectual culture, but his desire for 
an education seemed to know no bounds. The in- 
cessant toil for a mere subsistence wpon a compara- 
tively sterile farm, had no charm for him ; and, longing 
for greater usefulness and better things, he looked for 
them in an education. His struggles to secure this 
end necessitated sacrifices and hardships that would 
have discouraged any but the most courageous and 
\)ersevering. He became an ardent student and 
worker from his lioyhood, though the means of carry- 
ing on his studies were exceedingly limited. He 
sorely felt the need of a dictionary; and, neither having 
money wherewith tu (jurchase it, nor being able to 
procure one in his neighlwrhood, he set out to compile 
one for himself. In order to acquire a knowledge of 
the English language, he copied into a l>ook every 
word whose meaning he did not comprehend, and 
uiKip meeting the same word again in the newsi)apers 
and Ixxjks, which came into his hands, from the 



context, would then record the definition. Whenever 
unable otherwise to obtain the signification of a word 
in which he had become interested he would walk 
from Oartmouth to New Bedford for that purpose 
alone, and after referring to the books at the library 
and satisfying himself thoroughly as to its definition, 
would walk back, a distance of about seven miles, 
the same night. This was no unusual circumstance. 
Under such difficulties and in this manner he com- 
piled quite an extensive dictionary in manuscript 
which is believed to be still in existence. 

Ever in pursuit of knowledge, he obtained posses- 
sion of a book ujxjn surveying, and applying himself 
diligently to its study became familiar with this art, 
which he siwn had an opportunity to practice. The 
services of a land surveyor were wanted, and he was 
called upon, but had no compass and no money with 
which to purchase one. A compass, however, he 
must and would have, and going to a blacksmith shop 
near at hand, uiwn the forge, with such tools as he 
could find in the siiop, wliile the smith was at dinner, 
he constructed the compass and commenced life as a 
surveyor. Still continuing his studies, he fitted him- 
self for teaching, and took charge of the village school 
at Dartmouth. When, in tlie course of time and un- 
der the pressure of law, a high school was to be 
opened, he passed a successful examination for its 
principalship and received the apjxjintment. To do 
this was no small task. The law required a rigid 
examination in various subjects, which necessitated 
days and nights of study. One evening, after con- 
cluding his day's labor of teaching, he traveled on foot 
to New Bedford, some seven or eight miles, called 
u|X)n the preceptor of Friend's .\cademy and passed 






■♦- 



ISO 



i. 



HENRY HOIVLAND CRAPO. 



a severe examinalion. Receiving a certificate that 
he was qualified, he walked back to his home tlie 
same night, highly elated in being jxissessed of the 
acquirements and requirements of a master of the 
high school. 

In 1832, at the age of 28 years, he left his native 
town and went to reside at New Bedford, where he 
followed the occupation of land surveyor, and oc- 
casionally acted as an auctioneer. Soon after becom- 
ing a citizen of this place, he was elected Town Clerk, 
Treasurer, and Collector of taxes, which office he held 
until the municijial government was changed, — about 
fifteen years, — when, uixjn the inauguration of the city 
government, he was elected Treasurer and Collector 
of taxes, a ixDsition which he held two or three years. 
He was also Justice of the Peace for many years. 
He was elected Alderman of New Bedford ; was 
Chairman of Council Committee on Education, and 
as such prepared a report u[X)n which was based the 
order for the establishment of the free Public Library 
of New liedford. On its organization, Mr. Crapo was 
chosen a member of the Board of Trustees. This 
was the first free public library in Massachusetts, if 
not in the world. The Boston Free Library' was es- 
tablished, however, soon afterwards. While a resident 
in New Bedford, he was much interested in horticul- 
ture, and to obtain the land necessar)' for carrying out 
his ideas he drained and reclaimed several acres of 
rocky and swampy land adjoining his garden. Here 
he started a nurser)', which he filled with almost every 
description ot fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, 
flowers, etc. In this he was very successful and took 
great pride. He was a regular contributorto the New 
England Horticultural Journal, a position he filled 
as long as he lived in Massachusetts. As an indica- 
tion of the wide reputation he ac(|uired in that field 
of labor, it may be mentioned that after his death an 
affecting eulogy to his memory was pronounced by the 
President of the National Horticultural Society at its 
meeting in Philadelphia, in 1869. During his resi- 
dence in New Bedford, Mr. Craix) was also engaged 
in the whaling business. A fine banjue built at Dart- 
mouth, of which he was part owner, was named the 
"H. H. Crapo" in compliment to him. 

Mr. C. also took part in the State Militia, and for 
several years held a commission as Colonel of one of 
the regiments. He was President of the Bristol 
County Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and Secretar)' of 
the Bedford Commercial Insurance Company in New 
Bedford; and while an officer of the municipal gov- 
ernment hecompiled and ])ublished, between the years 
1S36 and 1845, five numbers of the New Bedford 
Director)-, the first work of the kind ever published 
there. 

Mr. C. removed to Michigan in 1856, having been 
induced to do so by investments made principally in 
pine lands, first in 1837 and subsequently in 1856. 
\\i^ took up his residence in the city of Flint, and en- 



gaged largely in the manufacture and sale of lumber 
at Flint, Fentonville, Holly and Detroit, becoming 
one of the largest and most successful business men 
of the State. He was mainly instrumental in the 
construction of the Flint & Holly R. R., and was 
President of that corporation uniil its consolidation 
with the Flint & Pere Marquette R. R. Company. 
He was elected Mayor of that city after he had been 
a resident of the place only five or six years. In 
1862 he was elected State Senator. In the fall of 
1864 he received the nomination on the Republican 
ticket for Governor of the State, and was elected by a 
large majority. He was re-elected in 1866, holding 
the office two terms, and retiring in January, 1869, 
having given the greatest satisfaction to all parties. 

While serving his last term he was attacked with a 
disease which terminated his life within one year 
afterwards. During much of this time he was an in- 
tense sufferer, yet often while in great pam gave his 
attention to public matters. A few weeks previous 
to his death a successful surgical operation was i)er- 
formed which seemed rapidly to restore him, but he 
overestimated his strength, and by too much exertion 
in business matters and State affairs suffered a relapse 
from which there was no rebound, and he died July 
33. '869. 

In the early part of his life, Gov. Crapo affiliated 
with the Whig party in ]X)litics, but became an active 
member of the Republican party after its organization. 
He was a member of the Christian (sometimes called 
the Disciples') Church, and took great interest in its 
welfare and prosperity. 

Mr. C. married, June 9, 1825, Mary A. Slocum, 
of Dartmouth. His marriage took place soon after 
he had attained his majority, and before his struggles 
with fortune had been rewarded with any great meas- 
ure of success. But his wife was a woman of great 
strength of character and ]X)ssessed of courage, hope- 
fulness and devotion, qualities which sustained and 
encourageil her husband in the various pursuits of 
his early years. For several years after his marriage 
he was engaged in teaching school, his wife living 
with her parents at the time, at whose home his two 
older children were bom. While thus situated he 
was accustomed to walk home on Saturday to see 
his family, returning on Sunday in order to be ready 
for school Monday morning. As the walk for a good 
part of the time was 20 miles each way, it is evident 
that at that period of his life no common obstacles 
deterred him from perfonning what he regarded 
as a duty. His wife was none the less consci- 
entious in her sphere, and with added resixansibilities 
and increasing requirements she labored faithfully 
in the ])erfo'mance of all her duties. They had 
ten children, one son and nine daughters. His son, 
Hon. Wm. W . Crajx), of New Bedford, is now an 
honored Representative to Congress from the First 
Congressional District of Massachusetts. 
■ » 




: U. 



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■^•- 



GOVKRNORS OF MfCHlGAN. 



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-'*aaomSryi.,ajstiL^Maa6& 




ill*gfc.9»@ffiW^J7?^- 



HENRT P. BALDWIN. 



'itt<D ■'^tasLQfS^Sr^ '*»4.4 ■ 




•^"~"«»®}.aiOT7»v.^j^' 





4 



ENRY P. BALDWIN. Cxov- 
ernor of Michigan from Jan. 
4, 1869, to Jan. I, 1873, is a 
lineal descendant of Nathan- 
iel Baldwin, a Puritan, of Buck- 
inghamshire, England, who set- 
tled at Milford, Conn., in 1639. 
His father was John Baldwin, 
a graduate of Dartnioutli Col- 
lege. He died at North Provi- 
dence, R. I., in 1826. His 
paternal grandfather was Rev. 
Moses Baldwin, a graduate of 
Princeton College, in i757,andthe 
first who received collegiate hon- 
ors at that ancient and honored institution. He died 
at Parma, Mass., in 1813, where for more than 50 
years he had been pastor of the Presbyterian Church. 
On his mother's side Governor B. is descended from 
Robert Williams, also a Puritan, who settled in Rox- 
luiry, Mass., about 1638. His mother was a daughter 
of Rev. Nehemiah Williams, a graduate of Harvard 
College, who died at Brimfield, Mass., in 1796, where 
tor 21 years he was pastor of the Congregationalist 
Church. The subject of this sketch was born at 
Coventry, R. I., Feb. 22, 1814. He received a New 
England common-school education until the age of 
12 years, when, lx)th his parents having died, he be- 
came a clerk in a mercantile establishment. He re- 
mained there, employing his leisure hours in study, 
until 20 years of age. 

.•\t this early period Mr. B. engaged in business on 
his own account. He made a visit to the West, in 
1837, which resulted in his removal to Detroit in the 
spring of 1 8^8. Here he established a mercantile 
house which has been successfully conducted until 
the present time. Although he successfully conducted 



a large business, he has ever taken a deep interest in 
all things afTecting the prosperity of the city and 
State of his adoption. He was for several years a 
Director and President of the Detroit Young Men's 
Society, an institution with a large library designed 
for the benefit of young men and citizens generally. 
An Episcopalian in religious belief, he has been 
prominent in home matters connected with that de- 
nomination. The large and flourishing parish of St. 
John, Detroit, originated with Governor Baldwin, who 
gave the lot on which the parish edifice stands, and 
also contributed the larger share of the cost of their 
erection. Governor B. was one of tlie foremost in 
the establishment of St. Luke's Hospital, and has 
always been a liberal contributor to moral and relig- 
ious enterprises whether connected with his own 
Church or not. There have been, in fact, but few 
public and social improvements of Detroit during the 
past 40 years witli which Governor B.'s name is not 
in some way connected. He was a director in tlie 
Michigan State Bank until the e.xpiration of its char- 
ter, and has been President of the Second National 
Bank since its organization. 

In i860, Mr. Baldwin was elected to the State 
Senate, of Micliigan ; during the years of iS6i-'2 he 
was made Chairman of the Finance Committee, a 
member of Committee on Banks and Incor|X)rations, 
Chairman of the Select Joint Committee of the two 
Houses for the investigation of the Treasury Depart- 
ment and the official acts of the Treasurer, and of 
the letting of the contract for the imjirovement of 
Sault St. Marie Ship Canal. He was first elected 
(■overnor in 1868 and was re-elected in 1870, serving 
from 1869 to 1872, inclusive. It is no undeserved 
eulogy to say that Governor B.'s happy faculty of es- 
timating the necessary means to an end — the knowing 
of how much effort or attention to bestow ujxjn the 
thing in hand, has been the secret of the unifonn 



n 



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fi 



HENRY P. BALDWIN. 







success that has attended his efforts in all relations 
of life. The same indiistr)' and accuracy that dis- 
tinguished liim prior to tliis term as Governor was 
manifest in liis career as the chief magistrate of the 
State, and while his influence appears in all things 
wit:-, which he has had to do, it is more noticeable in 
the most ])rominent position to which he was called. 
With rare exceptions the important commendations 
of Governor B. received the sanction of the Legislat- 
ure. During his administration marked improve- 
ments were made in the charitable, penal and reforma- 
tory institutions of the State. The State Public School 
for dependent children was founded and a permanent 
commission for the supervision of the several State 
institutions. The initiator)' steps toward building the 
Eastern Asylum for the Insane, the State House of 
Correction, and the establishment of the State Board 
of Health were recommended by Governor B. in his 
messa;.>e of 1873. The new State Capitol also owes 
its origen to him. The appropriation for its erection 
was made upon his recommendation, and the contract 
for the entire work let under this administration. 
Governor B. also apixjinted the commissioners under 
whose faithful supervision the building was erected in 
a manner most satisfactory to the people of the State. 
He advised and earnestly urged at different times 
such amendments of the constitution us would i)er- 
mit a more equitable compensation to State officers 
and judges. Thelawof 1869, and prior also, permitting 
municipalities to vote aid toward tlie construc- 
tion of railro.ids was, in 1870, declared unconstitu- 
tional by the Supreme Court. Many of the munici- 
palities having in the meantime issued and sold their 
bonds in good faith. Governor B. fell that the honor 
and credit of the State were in jeopardy. His sense 
of justice impelled him to call an extra session of the 
Legislature to proix)se tne submission to the people a 
constitutional amendment, authorizing the payment 
of such bonds as were already in the hands of hona- 
fide holders. In his special message he says : "The 
credit of no State stands higher than that of Michigan, 
and the people can not afford, and I trust will not 
consent, to have her good name tarnished by the repu- 
diation of either legal or moral obligations." A s]>e- 
cial session was called in March, 1872, princii)ally for 
the division of the State into congressional districts. 
A number of other important suggestions were made, 
however, ard as an evidence of the (lovernor's la- 
borious and thou^litful care for tlie financial condition 



of the State, a series of tables was prepared and sub- 
mitted by him showing, in detail, estimates of receipts, 
expenditures and appropriations for the years 1872 to 
1878, inclusive. Memorable of Governor B.'s admin- 
istration were the devastating fires which swept over 
many jKiriions of the Northwest in the fall of 1871. 
.\ large part of the city of Chicago having been re- 
duced to ashes. Governor B. promptly issued a proc- 
lamation calling upon the people of Michigan for 
liberal aid in behalf of the afflicted city. Scarcely had 
this been issued when several counties in his State 
were laid waste by the same destroying element. 
.\ second call was made asking assistance for the suf- 
fering people of Michigan. The contributions for 
these objects were prompt and most liberal, more than 
$700,000 having been received in money and supplies 
for the relief of Michigan alone. So ample were 
these contributions during the short period of about 
3 months, that the Governor issued a proclamation 
exj)ressing in behalf of the people of the State grate- 
ful acknowldgment, and announcing that further 
aid was unnecessary. 

Governor B. has traveled extensively in his own 
country' and has also made several visits to Europe 
and other portions of the Old World. He was a pas- 
senger on the Steamer Arill, which was captured and 
bonded in the Carribean Sea, in December, 1862, by 
Capt. .Semmes, and wrote a full and interesting ac- 
count of the transaction. The following estimate of 
Governor B. on his retirement from office, by a leading 
newspaper, is not overdrawn: "The retiring message 
of Governor B., will be read with interest. It is 
a characteristic document and possesses the lucid 
statement, strong, and clear practical sen.se, which 
have been marked features of all preceding documents 
from the same source. Governor B. retired to private 
life after four years of unusually successful adminis- 
tration amid plaudits that are universal throughout the 
State. For many years eminent and capable men 
have filled the executive chair of this State, but in 
painstaking vigilance, in stern good sense, in genuine 
public s|>irit, in thorough integrity and in practical 
capacity, Henry P. Baldwin has shown himself to be 
the peer of any or all of them. The .State has been un- 
usually prosperous during his two terms, and the State 
administration has fully kept pace with the needs of 
the times. The retiring Governor has fully earned 
the public gratitude and confidence which he to-day 
[xissesses to such remarkable decree. ' 



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J^ 



GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



'57 





^mm J. IBA(GI,E¥, 



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OHN JUDSON BAGLEV, 

Governor of Michigan from 

1 8; 3 to 1877, was Ixjrn in 

Medina, Orleans Co., N. V., 

- V^ ' --j H^ J^'ly 24, 1832. His father, John 

iX^, / Bagley, was a native of New 

''*:; ;^ Hampshire, his mother, Marj- M. 

Bagley, of Connecticut. He at- 

L tended the district school of Lock- 
port, N. Y., until he was eight years 
old, at which time his father moved 
to Constantine, Mich., and he at- 
tended the common schools of that 
village. His early experience was 
like that of many country boys whose 
parents removed from Eastern States 
to the newer jwrtion of the West. 
His father being in very ixx>r circum- 
stances, Mr. B. was obliged to work 
as soon as he was able to do so. 
Leaving school when 13 years of age 
he entered a country store in Constan- 
tine as clerk. His father then re- 
moved toOwosso, Mich.and he again 
engaged as clerk in a store. From 
early youth Mr. B. was extravagantly fond of reading 
and devoted every leisure moment to the perusal of 
such books, papers and periodicals as came within 
his reach. In 1847, he removed to Detroit, where he 
secured employment in a tobacco manufactory and 
remained in this jxjsition for alx}ut five years. 

In 1853, he began business for himself in the man- 
ufacturing of tobacco. His establishment has become 
A* 



one of tiie largest of the kind in tiie U'cst. Mr. B. 
has also been greatly interested in other manufactur- 
ing enterprises, as well as in mining, banking and in- 
surance corjxDrations. He was President of the 
Detroit Safe Company for several years. He was one 
of the organizers of the Michigan Mutual Life Insur- 
ance Company of Detroit, and was its President from 
1867 to 1872. He was a director of the Amer- 
ican National Bank for many years, and a stock- 
holder and director in various other corporations. 
Mr. B. was a member of the Board of Education two 
years, and of the Detroit Common Council the same 
length of time. In 1865 he was apixjintcd by Gover- 
nor CrajK) one of the first commissioners of the 
Metroixjlitian police force of the city of Detroit, serv- 
ing six years. In November, 1872, he was elected 
Governor of Michigan, and two years later was re- 
elected to the same office, retiring in January, 1877. 
He was an active worker in the Republican party, and 
for many years was Chairman of the Republican 
State Central committee. 

Governor Bagley was quite liberal in his religious 
views and was an attendant of the Unitarian Church. 
He aimed to be able to hear and consider any new 
thought, from whatever source it may come, but was not 
bound by any religious creed or formula. He held 
in respect all religious opinions, believing that no one 
can be injured by a firm adherence to a faith or de- 
nomination. He was married at I )ubuque, Iowa, Jan. 
16, 1855, to Frances E. Newberry, daughter of Rev. 
Samuel Newberry, a pioneer missionary of Michigan, 
who took an active part in the early educational mat- 
ters of the State and in the establishment of its ex- 
cellent system of education. It was principally 



^U ^ 







/0//A- J. BAG LEV. 



through his exertions that the State University was 
founded. Mr. B.'s family consists of seven children. 

As Governor his administration was charac- 
terized by several imiwrtant features, chief among 
which were his efforts to improve and make jwiiular 
the educational agencies of the Slate by increasing 
the faculty of the University for more thorough in- 
struction in technical studies.by strengthening the hold 
of the Agricultural College uix)n the public good will 
and making the general change which has manifested 
itself in many scattered primary districts. Among 
others were an almost complete revolution in the 
management of the penal and charitable institutions 
of the State; the passage of the liipior-tax law, taking 
the place of the dead letter of prohibition; the estab- 
lishing of the system of dealing with juvenile offend- 
ers through county agents, wliich has proved of great 
good in turning the young back from crime and plac- 
ing the State in the attitude of a moral agent; in se- 
curing for the militia the first time in the history of 
Michigan a systematized organization upon a service- 
able footing. It was uiwn the suggestion of Gov. B. 
in the earlier part of his administration that the law 
creating the State Board of Health, and also the law- 
creating a fish commission in the inland waters of the 
Slate, were passed, bothuf which have proved of great 
benefit to the State. The successful representation 
of Michigan at the Centennial Exhibition is also an 
honorable part of the record of Gov. B.'s adminis- 
tration. 

As Governor, he felt that he represented tlie State 
— not in a narrow, egotistical way, but in the same 
sense that a faithful, trusted, confidential agent rejv 
resents his employer, and as the Executive of the 
State he was her " attorney in fact." And his intelliT 
gent, thoughtful care wilt long continue the pride of 
the people he so much loved. He was ambitious — 
ambitious for place and power, as every noble mind 
is ambitious, because these give opixartunity. How- 
ever strong the mind and (Xiwerful the will, if there 
be no ambition, life is a failu;e. He was not blind to 
the fact that the more we have the more is required 
of us. He accepted it in its fullest meaning. He 
had great hopes for his State and his country. He had 
his ideas of what they should be. With a heart as 
broad as humanity itself; with an intelligent, able and 
cultured brain, the will and the jiower to do, he 
asked his fellow citizen to give him the opixsrtunity tu 
labor for tliem. Self entered not into the calculation. 



His whole life was a battle for others; and he entered 
the conflict eagerly and hopefully. 

His State pajiers were models of compact, busi- 
ness-like statements, bold, original, and brimful of 
practical suggestions, and his administrations will long 
be considered as among the ablest in this or any 
other State. 

His noble, generous nature made his innumerable 
benefactions a source of continuous pleasure. Liter- 
ally, to him it was " more blessed to give than to 
receive." 

His greatest enjoyment was in witnessing the com- 
fort and happiness of others. Not a tithe of his char- 
ities were known to his most intimate friends, or even 
to his family. Many a needy one has been the recipi- 
ent of aid at an opportune moment, who never knew 
the hand that gave. 

At one time a friend had witnessed his ready re- 
sponse to some charitable request, and said to him : 
"Governor, you give away a large sum of money ; about 
how mucli does your charities amount to in a year.'" 
He turned at once and said: " I do not know, sir; I 
do not allow myself to know. I hope I gave more 
this year than I did last, and hope I shall give more 
next year than 1 have this." This expressed his idea 
of charity, that the giving should at all times be free 
and spontaneous. 

During his leasure hours from early life, and espe- 
cially during the last few years, he devoted much time 
to becoming acquainted with the best authors. Biog- 
ra])hy was his delight; the last he read was the "Life 
and Woik of John Adams," in ten volumes. 

In all questions of business or public affairs he 
seemed to have the jxawer of getting at the kernel of 
the nut in the least possible time. In reading he 
would spend scarcely more time with a volume than 
most persons would devote to a chapter. After what 
seemed a cursory glance, he would have all of value 
the V>ook contained. Rarely do we see a business 
man so familiar with the best English authors. He 
was a generous and intelligent patron of the arts, and 
his elegant home w.is a study and a pleasure 
to his many friends, who always found there a 
hearty welcome. At Christmas time he would spend 
days doing the work of Santa Claus. Ever)' Christmas 
eve he gathered his children about him and, taking 
the youngest on his lap, told some Christmas stor)-, 
closing the entertainment with "The Night Before 
(!liristmas," or Dickens's "Christmas Carol." 



H 




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GOVKRXOKS OF MICHIGAX. 



.6. :\ 




^m CHAKLElSl M. CKOSWELL, g^ 



.... _ _ .,,1 



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HARLES M. CROSWELL, 
C'lOvernor of Michigan from 
Jan. 3, 1877 to Jan. i, 1881, 
was born at Newburg, Orange 
^^^^^p County, X. Y., Oct. 31, .825. 
-i^.^-^ ' He is the only son of John and 
Sallie (Hicks) Croswell. His 
father, who was of Scotch-Irish 
extraction, was a iiaper-maker, 
and carried on business in New 
York City. His ancestors on 
his mother's side were of Knicker- 
bocker descent. The Croswell 
family may be found connected 
with prominent events, in New York 
and Connecticut, in the early exis- 
tence of the Republic. Harry Cros- 
well, during the administration of 
President Jefferson, published a pa- 
per called the Jialancc, and was 
prosecuted for libeling the President 
under the obnoxious Sedition Law. 
He was defended by the celebrated 
I Alexander Hamilton, and the decis- 
hyf. )i the case establiscd the important ruling that 
tht truth might be shown in cases of libel. .Xnother 
member of the family was Edwin Croswell, the fam- 
ous editor of the .\tiiany Ar^^iis ; also, Rev. ^\■iIli:lIn 
Croswell, noted as a divine and ix)et. 

When Charles M. Croswell was seven years of age, 
his father was accidentally drowned in the Hudson 
River, at Newburg ; and, within three months preced- 
ing that event, his mother and only sister had died, — 
thus leaving him the sole surviving member of the 
family, without fortune or means. U|Kjn the death 

^« ^ 




of his father he went to live with an uncle, who, in 
1837, emigrated with him to Adrain, Michigan. .\i 
sixteen years of age, he commenced to learn the car- 
penter's trade, and worked at it very diligently for 
four years, maintaining himself, and devoting his spare 
time to reading and the acipiirement of knowledge. 
In 1846, he began the study of law, and was ap- 
pointed Deputy Clerk of Lenawee County. The du- 
ties of this office he perfomied four years, when he 
was elected Register of Deeds, and was re-elected 
in 1852. In 1854, betook part in the first movements 
for the formation of the Republican party, and was a 
member and Secretary of the convetion held at Jack- 
son in that year, which put in the field the first Re- 
publican State ticket in Michigan. In 1855, he 
formed a law partnership with the present Chief-Jus- 
tice Cooley, which continued until the remov.il of 
Judge Cooley to .Ann .'\rbor. 

In 1862, Mr. Croswell was ap|X)inted City Attorney 
of -Adrian. He was also elected Mayor of the city 
in the spring of the same year; and in the fall was 
chosen to represent I^-nawee County in the State 
Senate. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1864, 
and again in 1866, during each term filling the jwsi- 
tions above mentioned. Among various rei«rls made 
by him, one adverse to the re-establishment of the 
death i>enalty, and another against a iirojjosition to 
pay the salaries of State officers and judges in coin, 
which then commanded a very large premium, may 
be mentioned. He also drafted the act ratifying the 
Thirteenth .Amendment to the Federal Constitution, 
for the alwlishmcnt of slavery, it being the first 
amendment to the instrument ratified by Michigan. 
In 1863, from his seat in the State Senate, he de- 
livered an elalwrate sjH;e(h in favor of the Prorlama- 



•> M ^« 



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I 62 



a 



CHARLES M. CRO SWELL 






tion of Emancipation issued by President Lincoln, 
and of his general policy in the prosecution of the 
war. This, at the request of his Republican associ- 
ates, was afterwards pulilished. In 1867, he was 
elected a member of the Constitutional Convention, 
and chosen its presiding officer. This convention 
was composed of an able body of men ; and though, 
in the general distrust of constitutional changes 
which for some years had been taking possession of 
the people, their labors were not accepted by the pop- 
ular vote, it was always conceded that the constitu- 
tion they projxjsed had been prepared with great care 
and skill. 

In 1868, Mr. Croswell was chosen an Elector on 
the Rei)ublican Presidential ticket; in 1872, was 
elected a Representative to the State Legislature 
from Lenawee County, and was chosen Speaker of 
the House of Representatives. At the close of the 
session of that body his abilities as a parliamentarian, 
and the fairness of his rulings were freely and form- 
ally acknowledged by his associates ; and he was pre- 
sented with a superb collection of their ix)rtraits 
handsomely framed. He was, also, for several years. 
Secretary of the State Board for the general supervis- 
ion of the charitable and penal institutions of Michi- 
gan ; in which position, his [)ropositions for the amel- 
ioration of the condition of the unfortunate, and tlie 
reformation of the criminal classes, signalize the be- 
nevolence of his nature, and the practical character 
of his mind. 

In 1876, the general voice of the Republicans of 
the State indicted Mr. Croswell as their choice for 
Governor; and, at the State Convention of the party 
in .August of the same year, he was put in nomination 
by acclamation, without the formality of a ballot. .-\t 
tlie election in November following, he was chosen to 
the high position for which he had been nominated, 
by a very large majority over all opposing candidates. 
His inaugural message was received with general 
favor; and his career as Governor was marked with 
the same qiialitics of head and heart that have ever 
distinguished him, both as a citizen and statesman. 



Governor Groswell has always prepared his ad- 
dresses with care ; and, as his diction is terse, clear, 
and strong, without excess of ornament, and his de- 
liver)' impressive, he is a popular speaker; and many 
of his speeches have attracted favorable comment in 
the public prints, and have a permanent value. He 
has always manifested a deep interest in educational 
matters, and was foryears a member and Secretary' of 
the Board of Education of Adrair. At the formal 
opening of the Central School building in that city, 
on the 24th day of .\pril, 1869, he gave, in a i)ublic 
address, an " Historical Sketch of the Adrian Public 
Schools." 

In his private life. Governor Croswell has been as 
exemplary as in his public career he has been suc- 
cessful and useful. In February, 1852, he was mar- 
ried to a daughter of Morton Eddy, Lucy M. Eddy, 
a lady of many amiable and sunny qualities. She 
suddenly died, March 19, 1868, leaving two daugh- 
ters and a son. Governor Croswell is not a member 
of any religious body, but generally attends the Pres- 
byterian Church. He pursues the profession of law, 
but of late has been occupied mainly in the care of his 
own interests, and the quiet duties of advice in 
business difficulties, for which his unfailing pru- 
dence and sound judgment eminently fit him. Gov- 
ernor Croswell is truly iwpular, not only with those of 
like jxjlitical faith with himself, but with those who 
differ from him in this regard. 

During Gov. Croswell's administration the public 
debt was greatly reduced; a policy adopted requiring 
the State insritutions to keep within the limit of ap- 
propriations; laws enacted to provide more effectually 
for the punishment of corruption and bribrery in elec- 
rions; the State House of Correction at Ionia and the 
Eastern Asylum for the Insane at Pontiac were opened, 
and the new capital at Lansing was completed and 
occupied. The first act of his second term was to pre- 
side at the dedication of this buildiig The great riot 
at Jackson occured during his administration, and it 
was only bv his i)romptness that great distruction of 
Ixjth life and property was prevented at that time. 1 ' 



n 




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GOrE/iyOKS OF MICHIGAN. 



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DAVID H. JEROME, (Gover- 
nor of from Jan. I, i88i, to 
Jan. I, 1883, was born at De- 
troit, Mich., Nov. 17, 1S29. 
His parents emigrated to 
Michigan from 'rrimiansburg, 
Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1S28, 
locating at Detroit. His father 
died March 30, 1831, leaving 
nine children. He had been 
twice married, "and four of the 
children living at 'the time of his 
"^ death were grown up sons, the ofT- 
I spring of his tirst union. Of the 
five children by his second marriage, David H. was 
the youngest. Shortly after Mr. Jerome's death, his 
widow moved back to New York and settled in 
Onondaga County near Syracuse, where they remained 
until the fall of 1S34, the four sons by the first wife 
continuing their residence in Michigan. In the fall 
of 1S34, Mrs. Jerome came once more to Michigan, 
locating on a farm in St. Clair County. Here the 
Ciovernor formed those habits of industry and ster- 
ling integrity that have been so characteristic of the 
man in the active duties of life. He was sent to the 
district school, and in the ac(piisition of the funda- 
mental brandies of learning he displayed a jirecocity 
and an application which won for him the admiration 
of his teachers, and always placed him at the head 
of his classes. In the meantime he did cliores on 
the faiTO, and was always ready with a cheerful heart 
and willing hand to assist his widowed mother. The 
heavy lalior of the farm was carried on liy his two 



► •-^ 



older brothers, Timothy and (ieorge, and when 13 
years of age David received liis mother's permission to 
attend school at the St. Clair Academy. While attend- 
ing there he lived with Marcus H. Miles, now de- 
ceased, doing chores for his board, and the following 
winter performed the same service for James Ogden, 
also deceased. The next summer Mrs. Jerome 
moved into the village of St. Clair, for the purpose of 
continuing her son in school. While attending said 
academy one of his associate students was Sena- 
tor Thomas W. Palmer, of Detroit, a rival candidate 
•before the gubernatorial convention in 1880. He 
completed his education in the fall of his 16th year, 
and tlie following winter assisted his brother Timothy 
in hauling logs in the pine woods. The next summer 
he rafted logs down the St. Clair River to .\lgonac. 

In 1847, M. H. Miles oeingClerkinSt. Clair Coun- 
ty, and Volney k. Ri[)ley Register of Deeds, David 
H. Jerome was a;"ixjinted Deputy to each, remaining 
as such during i848-'49, and receiving much praise 
from his employers and the people in general for the 
ability disi)layed in the discharge of his duties. He 
spent his summer vacation at clerical work on board 
the lake vessels. 

In iS49-'5o, he abandoned office work, and for the 
proper development of his physical system spent 
several months hauling logs. In the spring of 1850, 
his brother "Tiff" and liimsclf chartered the steamer 
"Chautauqua," and "Young Dave" became her mas- 
ter. .'\ fwrtion of the season the lx)at was engaged 
in the passenger and freight traffic between Port 
Huron and Detroit, but during the latter part was 
used as a tow boat. At that time there was a serious 
obstruction to navigation, known a"; the "St. Clair 
Flats," between Lakes Huron and Erie, over which 



4 



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1 66 



DA VID H. JKROME. 



vessels could cany only about 10,000 bushels of grain. 
Mr. Jerome conceived the idea of towing vessels 
from one lake to the other, and put his plan into 
operation. Through the influence of practical men, — 
among them the subject of this sketch, — Congress 
removed the obstruction alwve referred to, and now 
vessels can pass them laden with 60,000 or 80,000 
bushels of grain. 

During the season, the two brothers succeeded 
in making a neat little sum of money by the sum- 
mer's work, but subsequently lost it all on a contract 
10 raise the "('.en. Scott," a ves-sel that had sunk in 
Lake St. Clair. David H. came out free from debt, 
but ix)ssessed of hardly a dollar of capital. In the 
spring of 1851, he was clerk and acting master of the 
steamers "Franklin Moore" and "Ruby," plying be- 
tween Detroit and Port Huron and Goderich. The 
following year he was clerk of the propeller "Prince- 
ton." running between Detroit and Buffalo. 

In January, 1853, Mr. Jerome went to California, 
by way of the Isthmus, and enjoyed extraordinary 
success in selling goods in a new place of his selec- 
tion, among the mountains near Marysville He re- 
mained there during the summer, and located the 
Live Yankee Tunnel Mine, which has since yielded 
millions to its owners, and is still a paying investment. 
He planned and put a tunnel 600 feet into the mine, 
but when the water supply began to fail with the dry 
season, sold out his interest. He left in tlie fall of 
1853, and in December sailed from San Francisco for 
New York, arriving at his home in St. Clair County, 
about a year after his departure. During his absence 
his brother "Tiff" had located at Saginaw, ana in 
1854 Mr. Jerome joined him in his lumber operations 
in the valley. In 1S55 the brothers bought Black- 
mer & Eaton's hardware and general supply stores, 
at Saginaw, and David H. assumed the management 
of the business. From 1855 to 1S73 he was also ex- 
tensively engaged in lumbering operations. 

Soon after locating at Saginaw he was nominated 
for .\iderman against Stewart H. Williams, a rising 
young man, of strong Democratic principles. Tlie 
ward was largely Democratic, but Mr. Jerome was 
elected by a handsome majority. When the Repub- 
lican party was born at Jackson, Mich., David H. 
Jerome was, though not a delegate to the convention, 
one of its "charter members.' In 1862, he was com- 
missioned by (Jov. Austin Blair to raise one of the 



six regiments apportioned to the State of Michigan. 
.Mr. Jerome immediately went to work and held 
meetings at various jwints. The zeal and enthusiasm 
displayed liy this advocate of the Union awakened a 
feeling of patriotic interest in the breasts of many 
brave men, and in a short space of time the 23d 
Regiment of .Michigan Volunteer Infantry was placed 
in the field, and subsequently gained for itself a bril- 
liant record. 

In tlie fall of 1862, Vlx. Jerome was nominated by 
the Republican party for State Senator from the 26th 
district, Appleton Stevens, of Bay City, being his op- 
ixsnent. The contest was very exciting, and resulted 
in the triumphant election of Mr. Jerome. He was 
twice renominated and elected both times by in- 
creased majorities, defeating C.eorge Lord, of Bay 
City, and Dr. Cheseman, of Gratiot County. On tak- 
ing his seat in the Senate, he was appointed Chair- 
man of the Committee on State Affairs, and was ac- 
tive in raising means and troops to carrj' on the war. 
He held the same position during his three temis of 
service, and introduced the bill creating the Soldiers' 
Home at Harper Hospital, Detroit. 

He was selected by Gov. CrajK) as a military aid, 
and in 1865 was appointed a member of the State 
Military Board, and served as its President for eight 
consecutive years. In 1873, he was ap]X)inced by 
Gov. Bagley a member of the convention to prepare 
a new State C'onstitutiouv and was Chairman of the 
Committee on Finance. 

In' 1875, Mr. Jerome was ap]X)inted a memberof 
the Board of Indian Commissioners. In 1 87 6 he was 
Chairman of a commission to visit Chief Josei)h, the 
\ez Perce Indian, to arrange an amicable settlement 
of all existing difficulties. The commission went to 
Portland, Oregon, thence to the Blue Hills, in Idaho, 
a distance of 600 miles u)) the Columbia River. 

At the Republican State Convention, convened at 
Jackson in August, i88o, Mr. Jerome was placed in 
the field for nomination, and on the 5th day of the 
montii received the highest honor the convention 
could confer on any one. His opponent was Freder- 
ick M. Holloway, of Hillsdale County, who was suji- 
ix)rted by the Democratic and Greenback parties. 
The State was thoroughly canvassed by IxDth parties, 
and wlien the jxiUs were closed on the evening of 
election day, it was found that David H. Jerome had 
been selected by the voters of tlie Wolverine State to 
occupy the highest jxssition withii\ their gift. 






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GOr/t/iAO/f.S OF MICHIGAN 



169 





TOSIAH \V. HEUfEl, 



^« 



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■'^"^^^^7^r"J%.>^^^#^^>^^i"' 



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7 OSIAH W. UI 
'a^present (1883), 



I 



EGOLK, the 
Governor of 
Michigan was born in Living- 
ston, County, N. Y., Jan. 20, 
1815. His ancestors were of 
French descent, and settled at 
an early period in the State of 
Maiyland. His grandfather, Capt. 
Holies, of that State, was an ofli- 
cer in the American armv diirint' 
J^L L the war of the Revolution, .\bout 
'ji^f^' the beginning of the present cent- 
f^%\ »r^' botb his grandparents, having 

i' 



l)ecome dissatisfied with the insti- 
tution of slavery, although slave- 
holders themselves, emigrated to 
Livingston County, X. \ ., then 
.1 new country, taking with them a 
number of their former slaves, who 
volunteered to accompany them. 
His father was an officer in the 
-Vmerican army, and served during 
the war of iSi 2. 
Mr. B. received his early education in a log school- 
house, and subsecpiently attended the Temple Hill 
,\cademy, at Geneseo, N. Y. Being the eldest of a 
family of ten children, whose parents were in moder- 
ate though comfortable circumstances, he was early 
taught habits of industr)', and when 21 years of age, 
being anil>itious to l>etter his condition in life, he re- 
solved to seek his fortune in the far West, as it was 



^ 



then called. In August, 1836, he left the parental 
roof to seek a home in tlie Territory of Michigan 
then an almost unbroken wilderness. He settled in 
Crenesee County, and aided with his own hands in 
building some of the early residences in what is now 
known as the city of Flint. There were i)ut four or 
five houses where this flourishing city now stands 
when he selected it as his home. 

In the spring of 1S39 he married Miss Harriet .\. 
Miles. The marriage proved a most fortunate one, 
and to the faithful wife of his youth, who lives to en- 
joy with him the comforts of an honestly earned com- 
petence, Mr. Hegole ascribes largely his success in 
life. Immediately after his marriage he commenced 
work on an unimjiroved farm, where, by his jierse- 
verance and energy, he s<x)n established a good home, 
and at the end of eighteen years was the owner of a 
well improved fanii of five hundred acres. 

Mr. Begole being an anti-slaverj- man, became a 
member of the Republican party at its organization. 
He served his townsmen in various offices, and was 
in 1856, elected County Treasurer, which office he 
held for eight years. 

.\t the breaking out of the Rebellion lie did not 
carry a musket to the front, but his many friends will 
bear witness that he took an active part in recruiting 
and furnishing supplies for the army, and in looking 
after the interests of soldiers' families at home. The 
death of his eldest son near Atlanta, Ga., by a Confed- 
rate bullet, in 1 864, was the greatest sorrow of his life. 
When a few years later he was ,1 member in Congress 



t 



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170 



JOSIAH W. BKGOLE. 



"•'T^ 






Gov. Begole voted and worked for the soldiers' 
bounty equalization bill, an act doing justice to the 
soldier who bore the burden and heat of the day, and 
who should fare equally with him who came in at the 
eleventh hour. That bill was defeated in the House 
on account of the large appropriation that would be 
required to pay the same. 

In 1870, Gov. Begole was nominated by acclain.i- 
tion for the office of State Senator, and elected by a 
large majority. In that body he served on the Com- 
mittees of Finance and Railroads, and was Chairman 
of the Committee on the Institute for the Deaf and 
Dumb and Blind. He took a liberal and public- 
spirited view of tlie importance of a new capitol 
building wortliy of the State, and was an active mem- 
ber of the Committee that drafted the bill for the 
same He was a delegate to the National Republi- 
can Convention held at Fliiladelphia in 1872, and 
was the chosen member of that delegation to go to 
Washington and inform Gen. Grant and Senator 
Wilson of their nominations. It was while at that 
convention that, by the express wish of his many 
friends, he was induced to offer liimself a can- 
didate for the nomination of member to the 43d Con- 
gress, in which he was successful, aftercompetingfor 
the nomination with several of the most worthy, able 
and experienced men in the Sixth Congressional Dis- 
trict, and was elected by a very large majority. In 
Congress, he was a member of the Committee on 
Agricultural and Public Expenditures. Being one of 
the 17 farmers in that Congress, he took an active 
part in the Committee of Agriculture, and was ap- 
l)ointed by that committee to draft the most imix)r- 
tant rejwrt made by that committee, and upon the 
only subject recommended by the President in his 
message, which he did and the reixjrt was printed in 
records of Congress ; lie took an efficient though an 
unobtrusive part in all its proceedings. 

He voted for the currency bill, remonetization of 
silver, and other financial measures, many of which, 
though defeated then, have since become the settled 
jxilicy of the country. Owing to the position which 
Mr. Begole occupied on these questions, he became a 
"Greenbacker." 

In the (iubernatorial election of 1882, Mr. Begole 
was the candidate of both the Greenback and Dem- 
ocratic parties, and was elected by a vole of 154,269, 
the Republican ( andidate, Hon. David H. Jerome, 

A* — 



receiving 149,697 votes. Mr. Begole, in entering 
upon his duties as Governor, has manifested a spirit 
that has already won him many friends, and bids fair 
to make his administration both successful and jxip- 
ular. 

The very best indications of what a man is, is what 
his own townsmen think of him. We give the fol- 
lowing extract from the Flint Globe, the leading Re- 
publican paper in Gov. Begole's own county, and it, 
too, written during the heat of a political campaign, 
which certainly is a flattering testimonial of his ster- 
ling worth : 

" So far, however, as Mr. Begole, the head of the 
ticket, is concerned, there is nothing detrimental lo 
his character that can be alleged against him. He 
has sometimes changed his mind in jwlitics, but for 
sincerity of his beliefs and the earnestness of his pur- 
jxjse nobody who knows him entertains a doubt. He 
is incapable of bearing malice, even against his bit- 
terest (xjlitical enemies. He has a warm, generous 
nature, and a larger, kinder heart does not beat in 
tiie bosom of any man in Michigan. He is not much 
given to making speeches, but deeds are more signif- 
icant of a man's charac ter than words. There are 
many scores of men in all parts of the State wliere 
-Mr. Begole is acquainted, who have had practical 
demonstrations of these facts, and who are liable to 
step outside of party lines to show that they do not 
forget his kindness, and who, no doubt, wish that he 
was a leader in what w'ould not necessarily prove a 
forlorn hope. But the Republican party in Micliigan 
is too strong to be beaten by a combination of Demo- 
crats and Greenl)ackers, even if it is marshaled by so 
good a man as Mr. Begole." 

This sketch would be imperfect without referring 
to the action of Mr. B. at the time of the great calamity 
that in 1881 overtook the people of Northeastern 
Michigan, in a few hours desolating whole counties 
by fire and destroying the results and accumulations 
of such hard work as only falls to the lot of pioneers. 
While the Port Huron and Detroit committees were 
((uarrelmg over the distribution of funds, Mr. Begole 
wrote to an agent in the "[burnt district" a letter, from 
wliicli we make an extract of but a single sentence: 
"Until the differences between the two committees 
are adjusted and you receive your regular supplies 
from them, draw on me. Let no man suffer while I 
have money." This displays his true character. 



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'USSELL A.ALGER,Governor 
of Michigan for the term eoin- 
inencing Jan. 1, I880, was 
born in Lafayette Township, 
Medina Co., Ohio, Feb. 27, 
•\ 1S;50. Having lived a teui- 
lieralo life, lie is a comparative 
young man in api)earanee, and pos- 
sesses those niental faculties thatare 
the distinguishing characteristics of 
robust, mature and educated man- 
hood. "When 1 1 j'ears of age both 
his parents died, leaving him witha 
j'ounger brother and sister to sup- 
port and without any of the substan- 
tial means of existence. Lacking the opportunity of 
better cmployincnt, he worked on a farm in Richfield, 
( )liio, for the greater part of each of the succeeding 
seven years, saving money enough to defray his ex- 
penses at Richfield Academy during the winter 
terms. He obtained a very good English education, 
and was enabled to teach school for .several subse- 
rpicnt winters. In IH.'iT he commenced the stud}- of 
law in the ollices of Wolcott >!l: I'pson at Akron, re- 
maining until Slarch, 1859, when he wa.s admitted 
to the bar by the Ohio Sujiremc Court. He then 
removed to Cleveland, and entered the law ollice of 
Otis i CofHnbury, where he remained several 
months. Here he continued his studies with in- 
creased zeal, and did much general reading. Hard 
study and close confinement to ofBce work, however, 
liegan to tell t>n his constitution, and failing health 
warnecl him that he must seek other occupation. 



He therefore reluctantly abandoned the law and re- 
moved to Graiul Rivpids, Mich., to engage in the 
lumber business. 

When Michigan was called upon to furnish troops 
for the war, Mr. Alger enlisted in the Second Mich. 
Cav. and was mustered into the service of the 
United States as Captain of Co. C. His record as 
a cavalry officer was brilliant and honorable to 
himself and his companj-. He participated in some 
of the fieicest contests of the rebellion and was 
twice wounded. His first injury was received in 
the battle of Boonevillc, Miss., July 2, 1862. 
His conduct in this engagement was so distin- 
guished that he was promoted to the rank of 
Major. On the same occasion his Colonel, the 
gallant Phil. Sheridan, was advanced to the rank 
of Brigadier General. A few months later, on the 
ICth of October, Jfajor Alger became Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the .Si.\lh Mich. Cav.. and was ordered 
with his regiment to the Army of the Potomac. 
After marked service in the early campaign of 18<1.'?, 
he was again ."idvanced, and on June 2 received his 
commission as Colonel of the Fifth Mich. Cav. His 
regiment at this time was in Custer's famous Michi- 
gan cavalry briga<le. On the fith of Jul}- occurred 
the battle of Boonesboro, Md. In this conflict he 
was again wounded. His health received a more 
than temporary impairment, and in October, 1861. 
he was obliged to retire from the service. His 
career as a soldier included many of the most cele- 
brated contests of the war. He w.as an active charac- 
ter in all the battles fought by the Arinv of the 



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174 



L. 



RUSSELL A. ALGER. 



Votoraac, from the tiine of the iiiviisiou of Mary- 
land by Gen. Lee in 18G3, up to the date of his 
retirement, with the exception of those engagements 
which occurred while he was absent from duty on 
account of wounds. In all he took part in GC bat- 
tles and skirmishes. At the close he was breveted 
Brigadier General and Major General for "gallant 
and meritorious services in the field." 

Aside from regular dutj', Gen. Alger was on 
private service during the winter of 18G3-4, receiv- 
ing orders personally from President Lincoln and 
visiting nearly all the armies in the field. 

Gen. Alger came to Detroit in 18G5, and since 
tiiat time has been extensively engaged in the pine 
timber business and in dealing in pine lands. He 
was a member of the well-known firm of Moore <fe 
Alger until its dissolution, when he became head of 
the firm of R. A. Alger & Co., the most extensive 
pine timber operators in the West. Gen. Alger is 
now president of the corporation of Alger, Smith &. 
Co., which succeeded R. A. Alger ik Co. He is also 
president of the Manistique Lumbering Company 
and president of the Detroit, Bay City & Alpena 
Railroad Company, besides being a stockholder and 
director of the Detroit National Bank, the Peninsu- 
lar Car Company and several other large corjxjr- 
atious. 

AVhile always an active and influential Republi- 
can, Gen. Alger has never sought nor held a sal- 
aried oflice. He was a delegate from the First Dis- 
trict to the last Republican National Convention, 
but aside from this his connection with politics has 
not extended beyond the duties of ever}' good cit- 
izen to his part}' and his country'. 

Gen. Alger is now fort^'-ninc years of age, an 
active, handsome gentleman six feet tall, living 
the life of a busy man of aflfairs. His military 
bearing at once indicates his army life, and although | 
slenderly built, his square shoulders and erect i 
carriage give the ciisual observer the impression 
that his weight is fully 1 80 pounds. He is a firm, 
yet a most decidedly pleasant-appearing man, with 
a fine forehead, rather a prominent nose, an iron- 
gray moustache and chin whiskers and a full head 
of black hair sprinkled with gra}'. He is usually 
attired in the i)revailing style of business suits. His 
favorite dress has been a high buttoned cutaway 



frock coat, with the predominating cut of vest and 
trousers, made of firm gra}' suiting. A high collar, 
small cravat, easy shoes and white plug hat com- 
plete his personal ai)i)arel. He is ver}' particular 
as to his appearance, and always wears neat clothes 
of the best goods, but shuns any display of jewelry* 
or extravagant embellishment. He is one of the 
most approachable men imaginable. No matter 
how busy he may be, he always leaves his desk to 
extend a cordial welcome to every visitor, be he of 
high or low situation. His affable manners delight 
his guests, while his pleasing face and bright, dark 
eyes alwaj's animate his hearers. 

Gen. Alger is a hard worker. He is always at his 
ofHce prompt!}' in the morning and staj-s as long as 
anything remains that demands his attention. In 
business matters he is alw.ays decided, and is never 
shaken or disturbed by any reverses. He has the 
confidence of his :issociates to a high degree, and all 
his business relations are tempered with those little 
kindnesses that relieve the tedium of routine ollice 
life. Although deeply engrossed in various busi- 
ness pursuits. Gen. Alger has j'et found time for 
general culture. He owns a large library and his 
stock of general information is as complete as it is 
reliable. His collection of paintings h;is been se- 
lected with rare good taste, and contains some of 
the finest productions of modern artists. His team 
of bays are perhaps the han<lsomest lliat grace the 
roads of lietroit, and usually lead the other outfits 
when their owner holds the reins. 

Gen. Alger has an interesting family. His wife 
was Annette H. Henry, the daughter of W. G. 
Henry, of Grand Rjipids, to whom he was married 
April 2, 18G1. Siie is a slender woman of faircom- 
plexitin, bright and attractive, and a charming host- 
ess. She is gifted with manj' acc<>nq)lisliments and 
appears quite young. There are six children. Fay, 
a lively brunette, and Caroline A., who is rather tall 
and resembles her mother, have completed a course 
at an E:istern seminary, and during the past j'ear 
traveled in Europe. The remaining members of 
the family are Fi-ances, aged 13; Russell A., Jr., 
aged 1 1 ; Fred, aged 9, and Allan, aged 3. All are 
bright and promising diildren. Gen. Alger makes 
his home at his iiandsome and large new residence on 
Fort street, at the corner of First street, Detroit. 



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GOVERNOliS OF MIC71IGAX. 



177 



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YRrS GRAY LL'CE, the 
present Governor of Miclii- 
gan, combines in his charac- 
ter the substantial traits of 
, the New England ancestry 
of his father, and the chival- 
rous and hospitable elements 
peculiar to the Southernei-s, which 
came to him from his mother's side of 
the house. The New Enj^landers, act- 
ive in the cause of American liberty, 
after this desired result was accom- 
plished, turned their attention to the 
growth and develo[)mcnt of tiie 
country which their noble daring had 
constitulea independent of foreign rule. The pri- 
vations they endured and the struggles from which 
they had achieved victory liuilt up in them those 
qualities which in tiie very nature of events could 
not be otherwise tiian transmitted to their posterity, 
and this posterity comi)rises a large number of tiie 
men who to-<l.av, like tlie subject of this history, 
are making a record of which their descendants will 
be equally jiroud. 

Gov. Luce w!is born in Windsor, A.>hlabnhi to.-, 
Oliio, July i, 1M24. His father was a native of 
Tolland, Conn., served as a soldier in the War of 
18r2, and sunn after its close emigrati'd frum New 
England and settled on the Western Reserve in 
Northern t)hio. His mother, who in her girlhood 
was Miss Mary Gray, was born in Winchester, Va. 
Her father, tinctured with Abolitionism, found his 
home in the < )ld Dominion becoming uncomforta- 
ble as an abiding-place at lli:it time, and accord- 
ingly, with his wife and family of young children, 



he also migrated, in 181.'), to the wilds of Northern 
Ohio. Tlu're the parents of our subject, in isr.t, 
were united in marriage, and continued residents of 
AshUdmla County until 183C. There also were 
born to them six sons. Cyrus fJ. of this sketch being 
the second. 

The incidenis in the early life of Gov. Luce were 
not materially' difterent from those of other boys 
living on the farms in that new country. He was 
taught to work at anything necessary for him to do 
and to make himself useful around the ])ioneer 
homestead. When twelve years of age his parents 
removed further West, this time locating in Steu- 
ben County, Ind. This section of country was still 
newer and more thinly settled, ami without recount- 
ing the particular hardships and jirivation-i which the 
family cx|)erienceil, it is sulUcient tosay that but few 
enjoyed or suffered a greater variety. Markets were 
distant and dillicult of access, the comforts* of life 
scarce, an<l sickness universal. Young Luce, in com- 
mon with other boys, attended school winters in the 
stereotype<l log school-house, and in summer as- 
sisted in clearing away the forests, fencing tlie 
lields and raising crops after the land was improved. 
He attended three terms an academy hn'ated at On- 
tario, Ind., and his habit of reading and observation 
added essentially t<j his limited school privileges. 
When seventeen years of age the father of our 
-^uljject erected a cloth-dressing and wool-carding 
esUiblishment, where Cyrus «!. acquired a full 
' knowledge of this business and subseipiently ha<l 
charge of tlie factory for a period of seven yeai-s. 
In the meantime he had Income interested in l<Kal 
politics, in which he displayed rare juilgment and 
sound conunon sense, and on account of which, in 
1848, he w.as nominated by the Whigs in a district 
comiwsed of the coimties of DeKalb and Steuben 
for Representative in the State Legislature. He 
made a vigorous can v.iss but wsis defeated by eleven 
majority. This ineident w:is but a transient bub- 
ble on the stream of his life, and tliat same year 



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178 



CYBUS GRAY LUCE. 



Mr. Luce purchased eighty acres of wild land near 
Gileud, Branch Co., Mich., the improvement of 
which he at once entered upon, clenrinjjf away the 
trees and otherwise making arrangements for the 
establishment of a homestead. In August, 1849, lie 
was united in marriage with INIiss Julia A. Dickinson, 
of Gilead, and the young ])eople immediately com- 
menced housekeeping in a modest dwelling on the 
new farm. Here they resided until the death of the 
wife, which took place in August, 1882. Mrs. 
Luce was the daughter of Ohed and Experience 
Dickinson, well-to-do and highly- respected residents 
of Gilead. Of lier union with our subject there 
were born five children, one now deceased. 

In November, 1883, Gov. Luce contracted a sec- 
onil uiarriage, with Mrs. Mary Thompson, of Bron- 
son, this St;ite. He continued on the same farm, 
which, however, by subsequent purchase had been 
considerabl}' extended, until after his election to the 
oflice of which he is now the iueumbcut. In the 
meantime he has had a wide and varied experience 
in public life. In 1 iS52 he was elected to represent his 
township in the County Board of Supervisors, and 
twoyears later, in 1 8.')4, was elected Representative to 
tlie first Itepublican Legislature convened in the State 
of Michigan. He served his townshi|) altogether 
eleven years as a member of the Board of Supervisors. 
In 18r)8 he was elected County Treasurer of Branch 
County and re-elected in 1S60. In 1864 he was 
given a seat in the Slate Senate and re-elected in 
1806. In thesijringof 1867 he was made a member of 
the Constitutional Convention to revise the Consti- 
tution of the State of Michigan, and in all of the 
positions to which he has been called has evidenced 
a realization of the sober responsibilities committed 
to his care. To the duties of each he gave the most 
conscientious care, and has great reason to feel pride 
aiul satisfaction in the fact that during his service 
in both Houses of the Legislature his name appears 
upon every roll-call, he never having been absent 
from his i)0st a day. 

In July, 1879, Mr. Luce was appointed State Oil 
Inspector by Gov. Croswell, and re-appointed by 
Gov. Jerome in 1881, serving in this capacity three 
an<l one-half years. lu the management of the 
duties of this oflice he is entitled to great ciedit. 
The t)111ee w.as notsmight liy him, but the Governor 



urged him to accept it, claiming that the office was 
the most diflicult he had to fill, and was one which 
required first-class executive abilit3'. He organized 
the State into districts, appointed an adequate force 
of deputies and no more, secured a reduction of the 
fees by nearl}' one-half, and in eveiy waj' managed 
the affairs of the oflice so efliciently and satisfac- 
torily that above all expenses he was enabled to 
pay into the State Treasury during his management 
*:52.000.49. 

In August of the j-ear 1886 Mr. Luce was nom- 
inated by the Uepublicans in convention assembled 
at Grand Rapids, for the office of Governor of 
Michigan bj' acclamation, and on the 2d of Novem- 
ber following was elected by a majority of 7,432 
over his chief competitor, George L. Yaple. In 
1874 he became an active member of the farm- 
ers' organization known as the Grange. Believing 
as he does that agriculture furnishes the basis of 
N;itional prosi)erity, he was anxious to contribute to 
the education and elevation of the farming com- 
munity, and thus availed himself of the opportuni- 
ties offered bj- this organization to aid in accom- 
plishing this result. P"or a period of seven 3-ears he 
was Master of the State Grange but resigned the 
position last November. Fidelity to convictions, 
close application to business, whether agricidtural or 
affairs of State, coupled with untiring industry, are 
his chief characteristics. As a farmer, legislator, 
executive ollicer, and manager of count}- as well as 
State affairs, as a private as well as a public citizen, 
his career has all along been marked with success. 
No one can point to a spot reflecting discredit in 
his public career or private life. He is a man of 
the people, and self-made in the strictest sense. His 
whole life has been among the people, in full syui- 
path}' with them, and in their special confidence and 
esteem. 

Pei-sonally. Gov. Cyrus G. Luce is high-minded, 
intellectual and affable, the object of many 
and warm friendships, and a man in all respects 
above reproach. To the duties of his high position 
he has brought a fitting dignit}-, and in all the re- 
lations of life that conscientious regard to tint}' of 
which we often read but which is too seldom seen, 
especially among those having within their hands 
the interests of State ami Nation. 







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INTRODUCTORY. 



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JHE time has arrived when it 
becomes the duty of the 
people of this count)' to ])er- 
petuate the names of their 
pioneers, to furnish a record 
of their early settlement, 
and relate the story of their 
progress. The civilization of our 
day, the enlightenment of the age 
and the duty that men of the pres- 
ent time owe to their ancestors, to 
themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record of their lives 
and deeds should he made. In bio- 
graphical history is found a power 
to instruct man by precedent, to 
enliven the mental faculties, and 
to waft down the river of time a 
safe vessel in which the names and actions of the 
{■jcopie who contributed to raise this country from its 
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly 
the great and aged men, who in their ijrime entered 
the wilderness and claimed tlie virgin soil as their 
heritage, are passing to their graves. The number re- 
maining wiio can relate the incidents of the first days 
jf settlement is becoming small indeed, so tliat an 
actual necessity exists for the collection and preser- 
vation of events without delay, before all the early 
settlers are cut down by tiie scythe of Time. 

To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind 
from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough, 
in spite of their best works and the most e.irnest 
efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of 
their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion 
and to perpetuate their memory has been in pro|X)r- 
tion to the amount of intelligence they possessed. 
The pyramids of Fgypt were built to ])erpetuate the 
names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu- 
mations m.ide by the archeologists of Egypt from 
buried Mcm]ihis indicate a desire of those people 



to perpetuate the memory of their achievements 
The erection of tlie great obelisks were for tl-.e same 
purpose. Coming down to a later jieriod, we find the 
(Ireeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- 
ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their 
great acliievements and carry them down the ages. 
It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling 
u]) their great mounds of earth, had but this idea — 
to leave something to show that they had lived. All 
these works, though many of them costly in the ex- 
treme, give but a faint idea of the lives and charac- 
ters of those whose memory tliey were intended to 
perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of 
the people that then lived. The great jjvramids and 
some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity ; 
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- 
bling into dust. 

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- 
gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating 
a full history — immutable in that it is almost un- 
limited in extent and perpetual in its action; and 
this is through the art of printing. 

To the present generation, however, we are in- 
debted for the introduction of the admirable system 
of local biography. Hy this system every man, though 
he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, 
has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, 
through the coming ages. 

The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the 
physical man is left. The monument which his chil- 
dren or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme- 
tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his 
life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, 
which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated 
by a record of this kind. 

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we 
engrave their (wrtraits, for the same reason we col- • 
lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we 
think it necessar)', ai wcsi)eak only truth of them, to 
wait until they are dead, or until those who know 
them are gone: to do this we are ashamed only to 
publish to the world the history of those whr>se lives 
are unvvnrthy of ))ublic rei ord. 



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K. IKA F. rACKAKI), a letircil pliy^^iiiaii 
atid surjii'on of Sturgis, and a man wliu is 
well known tliruughont Sdutliern Michi- 
gan, both as a practitioner and a citizen, is 
till' snlijccl of a most interesting history, which is 
sulislantially as follows: Born on the 7th of .Iiinc, 
1808, our suhject is a native of Uoyalton, Windsor 
Co., \'t., and the yoimgest son of licnjamin Pack- 
ard, who was the 3'oungest son of Klijaii I'ackard, 
the latter of whom settled at an early day in the 
tuwn i>f Hridgewater, Mass. 

lieiijaniiu I'ackard. the father of Ira, movcil to 
the town of Koyalton. in the .State of \"ermont, soon 
after the close of the Hevolnlionary Wai-. Noth- 
ing of especial note ocvnrrcd during the Ixnliood of 
our subject, his time being spent inostl}' in obtain- 
ing such education as the schools of that day af- 
forded, while he employed his time during vacation 
Working on the farm. When he was fifteen years 
old he was deprived of a father's care by death, 
and was thrown ujkju his own resources in complet- 
ing his education and obtaining a living. In tlu' 
spring »if ! 81' 1 young I'ackard repaired to Huston, 
Mass., and took a position in the wholesale and re- 
tail store of Kitlridgc iV Wyman. dealers in gri>- 
ccriesand West India goods, lie continued through 
the summer an<l fall with this firm, then returned 
home to attend the winter term of school in his na- 
tive town. 

In the spring of the year I82.'i, our suliject en- 
tered the service of the wlmlc ship '-AlexaiKler." 
anil upon the long voyage which followed gathered 
much information in regard to :\ seafaring life and 
4* ^ 



the world in general. The ship returned to New Bed- 
ford in the month of ,Iuly following, with a cargo of 
oil and bone, and Mr. I'ackard subsequently made 
upon her several other short vo3-ages. The fall of 
1828 found him in I'hiiadelphia, I'a.. where he was 
engaged for a brief time in the I'ottsville mines as 
the employe of Aaron Burr, and which were in 
charge of lii< nephew (ieorge. In February. 1829, he 
migrated to Allegany County, N. V.. settling in the 
town of Pike, which was the borne of a brother, and 
where he sc>journed a brief time: then going to 
Yorkshire in Catt^iraugus County, he established 
himself in the mercantile business. On the 27th of 
April, 182'.i, he was married to Miss lOmily M., 
daughter of Col. Araunah Ilibbard. 

This business venture of Mr. Packard not prov- 
ing a bonanza, he closed out, and" going into Krie 
County, Pa., engaged in the grocery and provision 
trade upon the present site of the custom house there. 
Here he was .again doomed to disappointment, the 
cholera breaking out and all business being sus- 
pended for the lime. Not being [losaessed of cap- 
ital bj- which he could lay idle, he was compelled to 
close out his business. He then returned to York- 
shire, and engaged as clerk with Messrs. A. it W. 
Ilibbard. 

In the spring of 183(1 our subject commenced 
the study of medicine and surgery under the in- 
struction of Dr. Hela II. Colegrove, of Sardinia, 
Krie Co., N. Y., with whom he continued a perioil 
of three years. In the meantime he attemled medi- 
e;d lectures in the Western College of Physicians 
.•md Surgeons al F:iii(ie|il. \'\>i>u ccinipleliii'j his 



t* 



JU 



••► 



188 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



stiitlics he removed with his family to the town of 
Shcnii.Tii, now Sturgis, this county', of which he has 
since lieeii a resident. 

Ilavini^ »cciiied a lucrative practice. Dr. Packard 
followed his profession continuously until the si)ring 
of 18.30, when his close application to his duties 
began to have a perceptilile effect upon his health. 
He now decided upon a trip to California, ami ac- 
cordingly spent the suramcr following in the gold 
fields of the New Eldorado. He was successful in 
the naines, obtaining a reasonable recompense for 
his time and trouble. He returned to .'^turgis in 
the s|)ring of 18.51, and practically retire<l from 
practice, although occasionally treating llie old 
friends who were unwilling to give their cases into 
new and strange hands. 

Since withdrawing from his profession Dr. Pack- 
ard has been identified with various business cnter- 
])rises in the city, serving as a Director of the Na- 
tional Hank. He has distinguished himself as a 
public-si)irited citizen, one having a warm interest 
in the growth and i)rogress of his adopted State. In 
religious sentiment he possesses a broad, liberal and 
Catholic spirit, and while being a man of decided 
views, with his own peculiar beliefs and convictions, 
he willingly accords that same privilege to others 
without comment or relied ion. He was originally 
a Whig in politics, and upon the organization of 
the Republican iwrty cordiall}- embr.aced its prin- 
ci])les. and has been a supporter of its general policy 
up to the present lime. 

Dr. Packard and his wife became the parents of a 
faoiily i>{ five children, three sons and two daugh- 
ters, the record of whom is as follows: Nelson I. 
was born April 8, 1830, and married Miss Lizzie 
A. Toliy, Oct. 1.5, 18o(J; they have no children. 
This son is President of the National Bank of Stur- 
gis, a man of fine talents, and a highly respected 
citizen. Homer H. Packard was born Aug. 10, 1832, 
and marrieil Miss Sarah C. Stillman, Dec. 0, 1858; 
he is a druggist by profession, and a resident of 
Cheboygan, this State: he has no children. Emilj' 
M. was born Nov. G, 1831, an<l was married to 
Henry S. Church, Oct. 25, 1860; Mr. C. is a grocer 
in good eireumslances, and a resident of .sturgis; 
they have no children. Frank S. was born Feb. 
10. 1838. and was m.arried, Sept. 25, 1860, to Miss 
4» 



Jane E. Clark; they have throe children, Frank I.. 
Gertrude A. and James J., and are residents of Stur- 
gis; his son Frank, Jr., was born Aug. 17, 18C1, 
became a j'outli of great promise, clioosing the jno- 
fession of medicine, and was graduated from Ann 
Arbor (Mich.) Medical College: he died at Che- 
boygan. Feb. 8, 18K8. Gertrude A. married Nelsnn 
I pham, and lives in Cheboygan, being the mother 
of one son, Frank Sherman; James 1. was born Oct. 
8, 1868, married Miss Bertha Miner, and is the 
father of two children, a son Frank and a daughter. 
Lucina M. Packard was born Jan. 26. 1843, and 
married Thomas J. .\cheson, Oct. 1, 1863; they 
have three sons: Frederick I., born April 2!>, 1866: 
Nelson H.. May 17, 1874: and Thomas J., Aug. 7. 
1885. All live in Emjioria, Lyons Co., Kan. 

The ancestral history of this branch of the Pack- 
ard family is as follows: Probably the first repre- 
sentative in this country was one Samuel Pack;ird. 
who, with his wife and eight children, came from 
Windham, near llingham. in England, in the ship 
"Diligence," of Ijiswich, with 133 |)assengers, John 
Martin, Master, and settled in Hingham, in the year 
1638. Thenee he went to Bridgewater. Mas.-., where 
he died in 1684. He was the father of twelve chil- 
dren, name!}' : Elizabeth, Samuel, Zaccheus,Thomas, 
John, Nathaniel (oursul)ject), JLary. Hannah. Israel, 
Joel, Deborah and Deliverance. 

Nathaniel, one of the sons of Samuel Packanl. 
and the great-great-grandfather of our subject, mar- 
ried a daughter of John Kingman, and became the 
father of thirteen children, namely : .Samuel; Zacha- 
riah, the great-grandfather of our subject; George. 
Fearnot, Margaret, Sarah, Lydia. Faithful, Hannah. 
Deliverance, Elizalieth, Mary and Deborah. Z.acha- 
riah marrieil Abigail, the daughter of Richard Dav- 
enport, in 1724, and became the father of four 
children — Elijah, Abigail. Nathaniel and Nathan. 
Rev. Elijah, the son of Zachariah. was grailuated 
from Ilowaril I'niversity in 17.'>0, and settled in 
the ministry at Plymouth, in 1 76 1. He after- 
ward went to Marlboro, and was married to Mary 
Rider: they became the parents of four children — 
Abigail, Benjamin. Elijah and Mary. Benjamin 
married Mehitable Fobes. daughter of Eliab Fobes, 
in 1782, and moved to Vermont in 1784. Their son 
Lyman was born in January- of that year, and died 



♦^ 



s 



4»- 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



1K9 



\r 



in Di'Ci'nihfr, I.^IO: Bciijaiiiin, who was l)orn July 
l.'>, 1787, died A|>rll 13. 18(i'.i: C'liaiies w.is born 
June 28, 1790, and died Nov. 13, 1808; Lucy was 
lioiii May 21. 1800. and died March 17, 1803; 
sihiis was horn in 17!».j, and died Sept. 8, 1830; Lii- 
einda was born May 8, 1 805. and died Oct. 27. 1 83 1 . 
Their youngest .-iOn was Ira. the subject of tills 
>ketch. 

Benjamin Packard, the father of oursubject. who 
was born In lirldicewater, June 7. 17i;o, served as a 
Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, and was on 
duty at the battles of Lexington and ISunkcr Hill, 
and witnessed the surrcn<1er of Gen. Hursoyne. 
He was wounded bj- a ball across the breast, and 
by buckshot in the arm. He saw the smoke rise 
from behind a bush, and shot through the bnsli. and 
saiil there was no more smoke came up from behind 
the bush. Elijah Packard, the paternal grandfather 
of our subject, was nuirdere<l by a robber and high- 
wayman, one Bolton, who was afterward hung for 
robbery in Canada, confessing bis guilt on the scaf- 
fold. Dr. Ira S., our subject, has a deed done in 
the handwriting of his grandfather. Aug. 211, 1765. 
He also has the old family Bible In two large vol- 
nnics, which was prlnte<l In London, England, In 
1G8.5, and was bought bj- (Irandfather Elijah Pack- 
ard. It has written on the tly-leaf — ''Elijah Pack- 
ard, his book, price f21 . Bought of William Joseph 
Snell, of Bridgewater. in the 3'car 1752."' That 
sum in American money would be ?101.(J4. 

Mrs. Emily M. (lllbbard) P.ickard. the wife of 
our subject, was born In Clarence, Niagara Co., N. 
Y., April 23, 1811, and was tlie first female white 
child a native of that county. Her father was Col. 
Araunah lllbbard, a soldier of the War of 1812, 
who was severely wounded at (^ueenstown Heights. 
He was one of two brothers who came from En- 
gland at an early day. 

^Ol.oMdN I.. DKMI.KU Is classed among 
the most practlcjd. wide-awake and success- 
ful farmers of St. Joseph County. His 
f.'irm on section 2(!. ('<instantinc T<'W'"''h'P- 
In amply provided with substanlini buildings for 
r\ci V nri-(".»nr\ |iur|><isc. |t» carefully tilldl a<-ri"< 




yield abundant harvests, and it Is altogether con- 
sidered one of the most desiralilc farms In this sec- 
tion of the county. 

Our "subji'd was horn .luly 2. 1821, In Turbot- 
vlllc. Nnrtliuiulicrland Co.. Pa.. an<l Is a son <jf 
Solomon I,, and Esther (King) Dentlcr. both of 
whom were natives of that county, where also iM^th 
died. They had a family of twelve diildreu. seven 
of whom lived to ni.'iturity. The ehlldren were 
named: .lohn. now :i resident of White Hock. Ogle 
Co.. III.; ljarl>ara. wife of Pliineits llangenbuch. of 
.•\lexan<lrla County. \ a.: .laeoli. living in Northnni- 
lierl.and Couut\'. Pa.: then came Solomon L.: Sam- 
uel, a resident of I'nion Comity. Iowa; Eliza died 
at the age of ten years; ( ieorge. Esther and Lucy 
died in childhood, and two infants died unnamed. 
Peter, who was a resident of LyeomiuLr County. 
Pa., died in .hily. 1888. 

Ouisuliject was reared on his father's farm until 
he W!us eighteen years old. and he w!»s then apjiren- 
ticed to learn the miller's trade. He followed that 
occupation many yeai-s In Pennsylvania, and until 
he came to St. .losejih County in the s|)ring of 
1865. He then turnetl his attention to farming, 
the pursuit to whh'h he had been reared. He pur- 
ch.i.sed 120 acres of g(xid land in Constantine Town- 
ship, and ha.s ever since been a resident of this 
place. His arduous labors in improving his lanil 
have Iteen .atnply rewarded In the good Income that 
he derives frtmi its cultivation. He ha.s erected a 
good set of farm linildlngs. comi)lete in all their 
appointments. an<l h:us In-en so fortun.-ile In his 
ventures that he ha.s ))urchased more land, and his 
farm now comprises 175 acres of land, a.* well tille<l 
and fertile as any in the neighborh<K>i|. 

November 16. 1852. the marriage of our svibject 
to Miss EII/jilK^th .\. Narlier w:ls solemni/.e<l in 
Danville. Montour Co.. P.-i. Mrs. Dentler wil* horn 
Nov. II. 1831. In Lycoming County. I'a.. her par- 
ents having iKH-n .bx-ob and Susanna (<!<mkI) Nar- 
iK-r. who died in that <-ounty. Mr. and Mr«. 
Dentler have had live children, nanielx : .Mice I!., 
who i> the wife of Kev. S. Ciiirge. of Allen. Branch 
Co.. .Mich.; H. H. livelier and Colfax B.. living at 
honu-. and Cnmt .\.. a student at W it tenlK-rg Col- 
lege. Springfield. Ohio. 'I'hey have lost one child 
NarbiM' I... "ho dii-<l wlieii three \e:ir- old. \\ ben 



4^ 



i 



l,e„ ♦ 



-•» 



100 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, 



f 



Mr. Dentler made his first purchase, forty of his 
120 .ai-res was in timber, aiirt tiiis. with the excep- 
tion of a few acres, lie cieareil liiiiiself. not lieinjr 
tinancially in a condition to eniphiy lu'l|i. Almost 
all of the fifty-five acres sub.«equently imrchased lie 
also cleared, luit in this latter was lielpid l>v his 
sons, then jjrowinjr up. 

Mr. Dentler's success in life is attributable not 
only to his capacity for work, to iiis sturdy enter- 
|)risc and (lersistenl will powi^r. but also to the fact 
that he is conscientious and uprijrht in all his deal- 
in<js. au<l dt>es by others as he would like to be 
done by. thus securing the res[)ect and confidence 
of his fellow-citizens. He has ably filled some of 
tlic local school ottices. and in other ways per- 
formed tiic duties of a trti<jd citizen. His |H>litical 
views are sulistantially tho.se of the Hei>ul>lican 
party, of which he is an earnest supporter. lie and 
his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and 
actively assist in its good work, and ever since the 
organization of the church in this township he has 
filled some of its ollicial positions, as l'",ider. 'Trus- 
tee. etc. 

J" A . M A IJ \ I N . Ihe Saturday Mail of Stur- 
gis occupies a prominent )H>sition among the 
newsy journals of Ihc State, and. .xs con- 
duct etl by its present editor and jiroprietor. 
exercises no unimportant influence upon the vari- 
ous (juestions under discussion by the people of the 
county. Mr. Marvin came to Sturgis in 1H81. and 
has lieen connected with the .VmV since lH8(j. hav- 
ing edited the Mirfiir/an Democrat for four years. 
He is a very |>opular man. an old soldier, and a citi- 
zen who has made his mark in his community. 

.Mr. Marvin, a native of Hochester. "N. V.. wa.s 
born in 1H14. where he received as good an edu- 
cation as the public schools of th.it city afforded 
until he readied the age of seventeen years, at 
which time he enlisted as a I'nion soldier in the 
10")tli New York Infantry. He served with his 
regiment in the second battle of Hull IJun. was at 
.South Mountain. Fredericksburg and .\ntietam. and 
after the l(l.')tli was consolidated with the !»4th 
New York he, as a member thereof, was engageil in 
tlif battles of (Jettysburg. .\t the expiration of his 

<■ 



first term he re-enlisted for three years, or during 
the war. and took part in a number of prominent 
battles, including that of Five Forks, in which he 
received a wound in the head, which came near 
causing him to be mustered out for all time. 

The record of Mr. Marvin as a soldier was highly 
creditable in all respects, and his record as a citizen 
has liecn no less so. After his return from the 
army he took up liis abode in I.eHoy. N. Y. ( >n the 
12th of ,\ugust. 1M72. he wjis married in the city 
of Hillsdale. .Mich., to .Miss Knima .\.. daughter of 
Horace 1'. Hitchcock, one vf the |>ionecrs of Hills- 
dale County, and now deceased. Of this union 
tiiere were born two chihlren who died in infancy. 
an<l Estella .M.ay. in 187!. and Clifton in 1H80. The 
family residence is pleasantly located opposite the 
.School Park, and is the resort of many friends. 
Oeni.'d and iiospitable. Mr. ^larvin is a universal 
favorite liolh in business and .-ocial circles. He 
IcarniMl the |)riuter's tr.ade early in life, and is 
therefore well fitte<l to conduct a newspaper office 
in all its details. The ^fnil was established as a 
neutral sheet in politics, .and in order to fullill tlie 
promise to its sid)scri Iters, still remains so. 

In 1888 Mr. Marvin w.as nominated for IJegisler 
of J)eeds as the successor of the able an<l efticient 
Mr. Hill, and ran seventy-seven v^ites ahead of his 
ticket in Sturgis. lacking only lUC of beiuu'' elected. 



|/_^ KNKV M;\ IsoN is a line representative of 
j) the farmers and stock-raisers of .St. .loseiili 
County, not only on acc<mnt of the wealth 
he has .Hccumulated in his honorable call- 
ing, and that he owns one of the largest and most 
valuable farms in .Simthern Michigan, very pleas- 
antly located in Florence Township, but that for 
])ersonal integrity, for business ability and upright- 
ness of character, he stands pre-eminent among his 
fellow-citizens. He is a native of IVnn.sylvania. 
born Sept. 21. 182.'). in Turbotville. Xorllnnnber- 
land County, to Henry and F.lizabetli ( Mowerer) 
.Sevison, natives of (iermany. the father born Maicli 
14, 17!I2. and mother in .luly. 17H."). His parent.- 
had seven children, of wlunn he was the fifth in 
order of birth, five sons and two daughters. They 



f 




.ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



ilicd while yot in tlu'|>riliU' <if lifp. tlip fntliiT lieinc; 
(lidwiicd ill llif Sii>(|iii'li!miiM IJiviT. at .Miiiii'V tlani. 
Nortluiinln'iiMiiil Co.. I'li.. wlicii inir siilijecl wiis 
lull four years old. .Vl the aire of six he went 
to live with .Mr. Willi.-iin Laird, with whom he 
lived until lie w.as twenty-four years old. He 
came with his kind lieiiefaetor to Michijjan in 
IM.lH. when it had scarcely liejfuu to iiierye from 
its |)rimitive wildness. and ever since that time 
lu' has in one way and another been closely 
identified with its :iirrienltural and Imsiness inter- 
e-ts. He first went to .Schoolcraft. St. .Joseph 
County, with .Mr. I.aird. luit they iminedialely 
came to Florence Townshi|>. Our suliject was then 
.•1 slronjr and healthy lad and w.ls of sireat a.ssistance 
to his iruardian. .\l the ajre of lifteen he took 
ch.ar^fe of his farm, lie li.id lint little time to at- 
tend scIh«)1, lint studied eveninjjs and spare hours 
Ihrouiili the day. To such men as Mr. Laird, of 
whom he tiiok counsel when he was foriiiiiii^f his 
Imsiness liahits. and Stephen \'ickoiy. of whom he 
purcliaseil his farm, he jrratefully acknowledsies 
that he owes his sueee.ss in life. 

Our suhjeet workwl for .lohii Talliot. in Centre- 
ville. and while thus enirair«'<l enlisted in the war 
with Mexico. Iiut in a short time afterwarcl the war 
closeil and his company was dishandeil. lie first 
liejfan work for himself l>y carryinjr on a farm on 
shares in the summer, and in the winter in niakini; 
tlonr liarrels for the linn of Moore A I'rotzman.of 
Three Kiveis. lie has alw.ays followed farming, 
thouifh often in eonnectiou with other liusiness. 
and he lioui.'lit his first farm of 21(1 acres when lie 
w;is twi-nty-one years old. havinjj aeciiiiiiilated ^.'5(1(1. 
which he used for his first p:tyment on the land, 
lie continued for some years to imike fioiir harrels 
in the winter, still havinit l>i>' liomi' with .Mr. Laird. 
carrvin;r on his farm for liim in addition to his 
trade. At one time he eiiiraired f4>r three years in 
the mercantile Imsiness at White I'iireoii, while still 
iii;ina:rinir his .■ii;rieiiltural interest.s. Tlnit venture 
did not pro\c the financial success that he had an- 
ticipated and he itnve it up. and has since devoted 
his iitteiilioii to the management of his lar^e stock 
interests and his extensive farm, lie hecaine so 
prosiHM'ous in his undertakin;rs that at one time he 
■ ■wiieil \.'M'2 .•icre-- of valualde land, hut he has 

4* 



ifiven to his chihlreii farms and thus reduced his 
estate to 1.2(1(1 acres of land. For nineteen M-ars 
Mr. Sevison lia.s been an a<;ent for the Oliver I'low 
Company, .•iiid h.-is a lar}jre territory that he over- 
sees, liaviiiir several ajfenls under him whom he 
keeps sup])l ice 1. In all of his dealinfrs he scared v 
loses a dollar, and we may mention here tlnil diir- 
in<r his loiijJT Imsine.-s career he has never sued hut 
one man. and then only when every other course 
f<U' :iii honoralile seltlemenl had failed. 

.Mr. .Sevi.son has lieeii three times married. lli> 
first marria'ife ttMjk [il.ace April IH. 1K.">0. to ,\iina 
Hurnani. of Florence Township. She was horn in 
Fn<rlaii<l. .lime 22. IK.'il. and came to Miehiiraii 
with her parents, likewise natives of Kn<rlaiid. 
when she was ten months old. .After a ple.-Lsant 
married life of a few years she ])asse<l awa\- Feh. 
7. 1857. leavinsr three children, .as f()Ilow>: liiiriiain 
II. , (ieorije F. an<l M.ary F. Uiirnam. who lives in 
Florence Township, Iuls heen twice married. Flla 
(Jeiitzler. I>\ whom he had (me child, heini,'- his fii-st 
wife, and Flizalieth (Jreenlee. his second wife; 
(leorire F... who lives in Iowa, married .Mary F. 
Hriden. and they have two children: .Mary mar- 
ried \V. II. Steals, of this township, and lhe\ have 
one child. 

Mr. .Sevison's .second wife wa.> Kelieica riionip- 
soii before her marriaire. .^he was born Mav ."i. 
\h:W). and died March 2'>. 1H7.'». haviiiir .scarcelv 
reached the meridian of a life which hail been a 
busy ••ind lionore<l one. Mie w:is the first white 
female child born in .St. .loseph County near St. 
.losi'ph Kiver. at a town called .A.schol. near 'J'hree 
Hivers; all traces of the town are now oblilei':it<-d. 
Seven children were l)orii of that marriaire. nnmelv: 
Fremont ( i.. who mai'ried Fniina Troy, and llie\ 
have three children: Florence .V.. who married C. 
II. Lake, of ISancroft, Iowa: .le.ssie .V.. wife of 
.lolin Ikheiiii. of Loifan County. Col.; (ii-ant. born 
.Sept. 2ti. ISfi.Ldied .March !!». l.sCd; Luther .1.. 
now enjraired with the firm of \-'.. W . Walker, of 
Oosheii. Ind.. m:irried Carrie l>ininiick. .-iiid tlie\ 
have one child: Martha, born .Vuj;. 21. |M)i7. dieil 
Sept. I. 1H(;7: Flliol lives at home with his pjireiit^. 
Mr. Sevison li;us generously provided for his chil- 
dren: besides trivinir lliein land, he has given them 
^cvitmI tliciiHMiicI dollar-, and tli(\' iirc w(>|| estab- 




"T 



"•► 



,t 



192 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



lislied. ill ])rosi|ierou.s fiicmiistaiici's. and are suf- 
I'cs'iful ill lifi'. Mr. Sevison's third uiarrinjn'. .Vjiril 
•>•>. IKT'.t. was U) Mi.<s Martha Whited. who wa.s 
1)11111 in Irhaiia. Ohio. Nov. H, |H4(i. Ik-r parents, 
natives respectively of New ^oik and \irg:inia. 
wi'ie in.arried in Ohio. an<l had four eliildren. t)f 
whom Mrs. Se\ison was the eldest. 

Mr. .Sevison has heeii very inlliienti.-il in tlie af- 
fairs of the township, althouiiii the pres>inii^ eiaiins 
of his liiisiness iiave not allowed him to hold ottiee 
very much. In puldie jus well as in private life he 
has shown that keen foresiicht and diseretion that 
have made him the respected and honored man that 
he is to-day. To his energy and patriotism during 
the dark days of the Rel)ellion is our Ooxerninent 
greatly indebted, as he was one of that large class 
of citizens who were instrumental in raising the 
•■sinews of w.ar." doing as much in their way as the 
soldiers of the field, staying at no saciitice. and 
using all the means in their powi^r to furnish men 
and inoiu'v for the suppression of the IJeliellion. lie 
was one of tli'e foremost men. at the time when 
soldiers were secured by draft, in filling the quota 
of Florence Township, and in aiding those who 
were so unfortunate as to be drafted, being called 
up at any and all liuui> of the night to render as- 
sistance to his townsmen by taking his team and 
driving to Kalania/oo. the I'rovosl Marshal's liead- 
([u.-ulers. to which otlitv he was api)ointed during 
the war. and helping his neighbors to adjust their 
dilliculties. Through his individual etTi)rts the 
township of I'loretiee had the best iceoi'd of any 
township in the eount\- for faithfulness and thor- 
oughness during the oi-deal of tilling (piotas and 
raising moni-y. \\ lu'U the legalitx of a certain 
draft was (piestioneil, and an indignation meeting 
was held at Kalaina/.oo. Mr. .Sevison wa.s appointed 
by the board to go to Detroit and confer with Col. 
Hill, to procure from him an order to show the il- 
legality of tlieilrafl: tlii' boaril knowing the energy 
and indoinit.'ilile will ami inlluence of our subject, 
anil the (ordinarily) unapproachable character of 
the one to lie con^nlleil. chose him as the one best 
ad.'ipted to bring about the desired result. A large 
a.sseinbly lia<l repaired to the court-hou.sc and court- 
house grounds, anxiously awaiting the return of 
Mr. Sevison. to hear the news, in a state of intense 



excitement, but on his arrival with his reports the 
meeting was imnu'di.'itcly c|uiete<l. and then our 
subject, with lion. Charles I'pton. was clio.sen to 
proceed to Washington, J). C. where the matter 
was satisfactorily adjusted and the drafted men 
were releaseil. The order was made for three years 
and these men were called for only one year, which 
was the cause of all the trouble. At the close of 
the war. when the heavy ta.xation imjHj.sed ui)on the 
people was a .source oi bitterness, again Mr. .Sevi- 
son wa.s called ui)on as arbitrator, when he again 
succeeded in adjusting everything satisfactorily 
and for the best interests of the jx'ople. 

.Mr. Sevison is an honored member of the Com- 
maiideiv of K. T.. being one of the first members 
of Sturgis Comniandery. and a charter member of 
Three Hi vers Coniinaiidery. lie is a strong Repub- 
lican and a ])owcr in his community. He united 
with the church at about the age of twenty-one 
years, and h;is ln'i'U an Klder of the rresbyterian 
Church for over twenty years, and he is one of the 
earnest workers in the building uj) of the .Sabbath- 
schools, and taught the lirsl one in Cenlreville. 
Our sul)ject's family are all members f)f the church 
and conscientious workers in their respective places. 



*fj>si — • ■ _ 



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lp\\lCIIAUD BARNARD. Asagentleman who. 

\\-^ bj' his enterprise and practical abilitj' has 
materially advanced the agricultural iulcr- 
^ests of St. Joseph County, representing, as 
he does, two of its important townships, the sub- 
ject of this biographical sketch occupies no unim- 
portant place among its citizens, and should receive 
due recognition in this work. He owns two valua- 
ble and well-improved farms, one in FU)rence 
Township and one on section S.'i. Constantine Town- 
ship. The latter is under his personal supervision, 
and there, in the pleasant home that he has built 
up, he is passing his declining years. 

His parents. William and Kliza W. (Cross) ISar- 
nard, were respected pioneers of St. Joseph County, 
being anH)ng its earliest settlers, and for many years 
they were members of its fanning community, with 
patience and self-sacrifice enduring the hardships of 
life in the wilderness, that they might biuld u|) a 



I 



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ST. JOSlil'II COINTY, 



i;i3 



T 



home fur tlieiiisclves mid family. The}' were na- 
live.s of Yorkshire. Kiigland, and in the year 18.'}.'5, 
desiring to better llieir cuiidition an<l to jrive their 
eliildren more advantages Ilian ihey could have in 
the old country, they cndiarkcd on a sailing-vessel 
"iih tlicir family of little children, and liravely set 
their faces toward the New World, and after a long 
and tedious voyage landed in this country. The 
.-anie year they made their way to Michigan, and 
settled for a short time in this township, near Pig- 
eon Uiver. Later they removed to another part of 
the county, and located on the banks of the same 
river, in what is now Florence Township. In 1S52 
Mr. and .Mrs. IJarnanl returned to C'onslanline and 
made their home in the village, and there she died 
in 18G('. t)ne year later the husband and father, 
in the fullness of years, after an honorable and 
useful life, also passed to his rest from the home of 
his son. our subject, in Florence Township. 

Hiciiard IV.'rnard, of this sketch, was the fourth 
child of the family of six children born to his par- 
ents, his birth taking place in Yorkshire. England, 
in liS28. lie was scarcel}' live years of age when 
his parents abandoned their Knglish home to come 
to this country, so that most of his life has been 
passed here. lie was reared on his father's home- 
stead, and doubtless the pioneer iuHuences that ob- 
t:iined in ."^l. .Joseph County at that early date 
helped to mold his character, to make him, in 
short, a strong, self-helpful, manly man. In 18.'i(t, 
with many other courageous, .adventurous spirits, 
he being then in the bloom of early maidiood, am- 
bitiously sought his fortunes in the mines of Cali- 
fornia, proceeding to his destination over the great 
plains, lie remained a citizen of the Golden State 
two years, and met with good success in bis quest, 
lint he tired of the rough, liard life of the miner, 
and at the expiration of that time returned to his 
home in this SUite. He established himself in the 
livery business in Constantine.and was thus engageil 
for a year, and then sold out to his brother .John, 
who continued the business in Constantine for 
twenty-live years, our subject retiring to his farm 
in Florence. This is still in his possession, and con- 
tains 120 acres of arable land under admirable til- 
lage, and well supplied with comfortable buildings. 
In ls72 he took up his abode on his Constantine 



I farm, which comprises eighty acres of as fine farm- 
ing lain! as is to be found in all Southern .Michigan. 
It is carefully culli\ ated after the most ap|)roved 
methods, has a neat ,aiid handsome set of farm 

' buildings, and everything about liie place denotes 
the presence of a skilled hand, directed by a clear, 
well-balanced mind. IJesides giving much atten- 
tion to tilling the soil. .Mr. Barnard is actively and 
profitably engaged in buying and shipping stock. 
■Inly t, IS8.J. hemel with a serious financial loss, 
his dwelling being deslroyeil by Gre, with nearly all 

' of its contents, entailing" a loss of about iSJ.OOO. lie 
has since replaced it by a conimodioiis and coiiven- 
ienll}' arranged residence. 

December 31, 1854, Mr. Barnard was married Ut 
Betsey Ilotcliin, who was a native of Fngland. 
When she was eight years old she came to America 

! with her parents, Samuel E. and Martha llotchin, 
in 1844. They came to St. Josejih Count}' and 
settled in Constantine \'illage, whence they subse- 

I quently removed to Florence Township, where her 
father engaged in farming, and there died. After 
a hai)p\' wedded life of nearly tliirt\-two years, 

! Mrs. Barnard died. March 22, 1886. She was 
widely respected and beloveil for her many amiable 
(pialities, and as far as in her lay .-he left no duty 
undone, but was ever true in all the relations of 
life. She was a consistejjt and valued member of 
the Reformed Church. 'i"he following is the record 

1 of the children born of that marriage: Mary K. 
is the wife of E. A. llaniiltou, of White Tigeon ; 
Ilattie E. is the wife of Oldos Barry; William is a 
farmer in Florence Township, as is also Charles L; 
and Hannah lives at home. 

.Mr. Barnard was married to his present estima- 
ble wife, a woman of genuine worth, Jul}- 18, 1888, 
the ceremony taking place in I'lainwell. Allegan 

I Co., Mich. Mrs. Barnard w.as forinerly Mrs. Al- 
vira Bigelow, widow of Kiley Bigelow, and New 
York was her birthplace, her parents being .Mi. 
and Mrs. Andrew Ilicks. 

From the perusal of this sketch it will be seen 
that our subject, the son of one of St. .Joseph 

I County's pioneers, has energetically caVried on the 

I work in which his father w.as engageil, and has been 
of much assistance in developing and sustaining 
the interests of the countv. He is a man of varied 



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t 



i 



191 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



experience, of good mulerstaiKling. keen, prompt, 
and Nvitlial. Iionuralilc in liis dealinijs, and may well 
he flassed among the most trustwortli}' and es- 
teemed citizens of St. Josepii Count}-, lie was 
fiirnieriy identified wiili tlie Reformed Cliiircli, but 
i> now a prominent niomlier of tlie Congregational 
Cliiucli. 



J"C)I1N I.OHOKF is mimbered among tlie most 
aljle. enlerijvising and wide-awaiie farmers 
of St. Joseph County, and in liim Constan- 
tiiie Township lias one of lier most valuable 
citizens. lie there owns a farm wliich for fertility, 
productiveness, neat, tasty and commodious build- 
ings, is not surpassed by any in the neighborhood, 
and the dwelling erected thereon is considered one 
of the finest in this part of St. Joseph County, and 
is an ornaiiient to the locality. 

C)ur subject is a iia'ive of Prussia, and his birlli 
occurred in that di>tMiit coiinliy April 17, 1832. 
His parents, John and Anna M. (Lamy) Lohoff, 
were likewise natives of that Empire, and there 
spent their entire lives. Our subject was reared in 
his native land, and inherited from virtuous and 
industrious parents tlnise traits of character which 
form the best legacy that children can inherit to 
make life a success — an iiideijendeiit, self-reliant 
spirit, strong muscles and ability to use them. At 
the age of twent}' years he decided to trj- his fort- 
une in America, having been previously engaged in 
agricultural pursuits in his native country. After 
a voyage of some weeks he landed in New York, 
and went directly to Canada. He there ftiuiid em- 
ployment on the Great AVcstern Haihva}', and in a 
short time he came to Detroit. He worked there 
six months in a brickyard, and in the fall of 18.')2 
made his way to St. Joseph County. He found 
employment on a farm in Constantine. north of the 
village, and continued there until 18ti2. when he 
boughta farm in the township, comprising fifty-three 
acres. Hy persistent and untiring labor he has not 
only brought this land to an admirable state of cul- 
tivation, but has been so successful and has culti- 
vated it to so much i)rofit that he has been enabled 
to increase the acreage of his land b}- further pur- 
chase, so that his farm now comprises 120 acres of 



well-improved land, and with its neat and tastj' 
buildings is considered one of the most desirable 
estates in St. Joseph County. He has erected one 
of the finest residences in this part of the county. 

In 185'.) Mr. Lohoft' made u tri|) to Pike's Peak 
in search of gold. He was away from St. Joseph 
County in all thirteen months, six of whie^ were 
spent in the diggings; not being veiy success- 
ful in the search for the precious metals he went to 
Missouri, and from there back to his Micliigau home, 
arriving in Constantine in April, 18G0. 

Mr. LohotT was united in marri.age with Miss 
Henrietta L. Field, in Porter Township, Cass Co., 
Mich., Aug. 12, 1862. Her parents, the late Harvey 
and Elizabeth (Davis) Field, were natives of Xvv- 
mont. The mother died in Porter Township, Cass 
Co., Mich., and the father in Chautauqua Count}-, 
N. Y. Mrs. Lohotf was the fifth child in a family 
of eight children, and was born March 2C. 18."3.), 
in Cohocton, Steuben Co.. X. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Lo- 
hoff have had two children — Helen L. and Martha 
A. Crief has come to this happy household in the 
death of the beloved daughter and sister Helen, at 
the age of twelve years, and they can realize the 
truth of the |)oet"s words: 

'Tis sorrow builds the shining ladder up. 
Whose golden rounds are our calamities 
Whereon our firm feet planting, nearer (ioil 
The spirit climbs, and hath its eyes unsealed. 

True is it that Death's face seems stern ami cold 
When he is sent to summon those we love; 
But all God's angels come to us disguised. 
.Sorrow and sickness, poverty and death. 
One after another lift their frowning masks, 
And we behold the seraph's face beneath. 

With every anguish of our earthly [lart 

The spirit's sight grows clearer: this was meant 

When Jesus touched the blind man's lids with clay. 

Life is the jailer. Death the angel sent 

To draw the unwilling ln)lts an<l set us free. 

Our subject may well be proud of the success 
that he has achieved in his adopted country, and of 
the honorable position that he occupies among the 
agriculturists of St. Joseph County who have as- 
sisted in bringing it to its present advanced and 
prosperous condition. He is a man of marked en 
ergy and capacity. an<l is prompt and reliable in hi> 



*r 



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ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



19.^) ' ' 



I 
dealings: in his domestic circle he is all that a good | 

liiislmnd and fatiicr can be. and to his fcllowinen he ' 
!•; kiml and considerate, and is jnstiy regarded as a i 
man of stcrlinir worth. In iiim tliis townsiiip finds 
one wlio is ever ready to do iiis share toward pro- 
moting its interests, and while holding some of the 
school ollices he has aided the advancement of 
the canse of cdncation. In politics lie casts his I 
vote with the Kopuhlican party. Mrs. Lohoff, who 
is equally esteemed 1)V all in the conimnnity, is an 
earnest member of the Methodist K|)iscopal Chnrch. 



ODNKV r.i;( K\\ riil. rrominem anionir 
'( tlie farnieisof St..losei>ii County, wlio have 
J^'Al for many years taken an active part in siis- 
V^tainini;- its jigricultnral interests, is the iren- 
llemaii who>e name forms the capti<»n of this 
liioiCi.'ipliical notice. He lias one of the best farms 
in tliis part of the State of .Micliigan, finely located 
on section ;i I. Coiistantine. and section .'5, Mottville 
Township. This land comprises IHO acres, in ad- 
dition to which he owns sixty-two acres on section 
17. in .Mottville Township, lie comes of <;ood old 
New Knirland ancestry, and his jiarents. Levi and 
l.ucinila (Starkweather) lieckwith. were among the 
very earliest pioneers of St. .loseph Connly. They 
wi-re liorn. the father in .Massachusetts, and the 
niotlier probably in Connecticut. After marriage 
they M'ttled in the town of .Vustinbnrg. \'l.. and 
thence removed to Saylu'ook. .Vshtabula Co.. ()hio. 
of which they thus became early .settlers. In ,\u- 
gust. l«2«.with theii' household goodf and family by 
ox and lior.se teams, they crossed the border, anil 
coming into Michigan, made their way slowly over 
the rough, swampy forest roads to that part of .St. 
.Io>eph County now kn<»wn as .Mottville. They lo- 
• ateil on section 8 of that township, and continued 
lo live there about six years. They then removed to 
-eclion .'11. Constantine Township. .Mr. IJeekwith 
lijiving secured lanil on the dividing line U'tween 
Mottville and C<jnstantine. and there they made 
llieir home until death. This land is still owned 
by the subject <»f this >ketcli. After their removal 
lo this iMirt of the county their livi-s were not pro- 
loiiLfi'd viTV inan\ \ear<. Mi-. Ueckwitb dvinu' i" 



September. IH39. and Mrs. Beclovith in August, 
1MI7. They had ten children, live sons ami live 
rlnughters. 

He of whom «c wiilc was the youngest son of 
his estimable |iareiil.-. He was boi-n in .Vshtabida 
Coiiiily. < >iiio. ( )ct. I. |H-2i!. and w.a.s hardly two 
ve.ars old when they eaini' to St. .loseph County, so 
that he was reared here in Mottville :ind Constan- 
tine TowM>liip>. and ha.s s|ient the greater part of 
his life here, lie was a lad of thirte<'n years when 
he had the misfortinie to lose ;i good father. His 
mother was spareil to her children a few years 
longer, and slu- carefully trained our subject in all 
that goes to make a good man an<l a useful citi/en. 
Amid the i)ioneer influences that he obtained here 
in his early days he grew to be a strong, self-reliant 
man. In 1 Hill, when scarcely twenty-thrw years 
<»f .'tire, he went lo ( alifornia as one of llic "IHers." 
tired by the ambition to seek wealth in that Khlo- 
i-ado of the gold-seeker, lie was there engaged in 
mining for aliout four years, and met with reason- 
ably good success where many failed. IIi> thoughts 
often turned to his old iionu'. and in .\ugust. |K.')2. 
satisfied with his gains, lu' rctnrnecl home by way 
of the .Nicaragua route. He invested his capital 
judiciously and resume<l fanning in this township. 
His farm originally consisted of 1G(I acres, but he 
has prospereil so well in his agricultural ventures 
that he now f>wns 212 acres of as fertile and pro- 
ductive farming land as is to be found in Southern 
Michig.an. It is under a high stale of cidlivation. 
and is provide<l with ample and substantial build- 
ings, and the ncee.»>aiv machineiv for conducting 
agriculture siu'ce.isfidly. 

(lur subject now has a comfortable, attractive 
honu'. and to her who h:is faithfully a.-isiste<l him in 
its upbuilding he w:us united in mai-riage Dec. 2."?. 
\Xit'.\. The following is recorded of the twelve 
children born of their marriage: Ida I. is thewifeof 
Rev. I). II. Ueiter. of Mancelona. .\ntrini Co.. Mich.; 
Solomon \'. married M:u-tli:i II. W ilemin. and livi'< 
in lied (loud. Webster Co., Neb.: Mina A. dieil at 
the age of six years; Dougal l{. married Ada C. 
Yoder. and lives in Cas« County. .Mich.: (leorge.V. 
die<I when aliout three years of .age; Kli/.a .Vnn 
died when liftei'n year> old: William S. and l.illie 
S.. twins, .are dead : .lane V... I''rank I-"... KllinI W . 



V 



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190 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



4 



and Kflith I. arc all at lioiiie. Mrs. Horkwitli's 
maiden n.-uiif wju* Kliza Ann Ivote. and slif w.-is liuiii 
in 'I'lirliotvilU'. Noithnnilu'rland C'i>.. I'a.. t>ct. 2:5. 
Ih:M. She w.'is the fourth iliild of tiii- twclvi' ciiil- 
drt-n. two >ons :ind tiMi dnntrliters. horn to the late 
Solomon and .Maria (Den I her) Rote, natives respect- 
ively of Northampton County, and of the city of 
Ilarrisbnrg. V:\. They came to St. .losepli ( ouiity 
in IKIH. and settling in Mottville. made their home 
there until death; he died Oct. I. 1H71. anil slie on 
Mareh 8. 1880. 

.Mr. Heekwith has had the fortune to witness al- 
most the entile jrrowth of St. .losepli County, since 
at the time of iiis earliest recollections it can .scarcely 
liave emerLred from its jirimitive wildness. The 
greater part of the primeval forest with which 
Southern Michigan was mostly dollu'd must still 
have lieen awaiting the ax of the i)ioneer. and in 
theirdepth.s still lurkecl the hear, the wolf and otlier 
wild animals, that preyed sometinus on the little 
flock vf sheep or invaded the |ien and made away 
with some choice jiorker that the early settler w.as 
raising against the time of need. Deer, wild turkeys 
and otlier <'hoice game were then plentiful, and often 
graced the talile of the pioneer. Our suhject was 
familiar with the Indiaiis. who when his parents 
(irst removed to Michigan still freipiented their old 
haunts, and for whom he Inis always had a friendly 
feeling. It has heen his privilege not only to wit- 
ness the wondrous change that has since lieeii 
hrought ahout. hut to have heen an actor in it. Hy 
his well-directed and untiring labors he has not only 
achieve<l prosperity himself, hut has contrilnited to 
the material welfare of his township and c<»imty. 
.Mr. Heckwith is honored in religious, social. Iiiisi- 
nessaiid political circles in this conimunity :us a man 
of sound principles and good hahits, one who is 
trustworthy in every resi>ect. Religiously, he and 
his wife are mendiers of the Lutheran Church. 
Politically, he is a stanch supjiorter of the Demo- 
cratic p:irty. .\s a good citizen, he earnestly seeks 
to |U'oinote the welfare of Constantiiu' Township, 
and as a mendier of the School Hoard has f.nithfully 
:vssisted in advancing the cause of education. Mrs. 
Heckwith has actively co-operated with her hushand 
in his work, and has heen an imiiortant factor in 
briiifring about his prosperous circumstances, and 

-4« ' ^—-^ 



we cannot close this biojirraphy of her husband with- 
out a further word in her behalf. In hei- ;irc 
blended all the ((ualities that goto make up a gt>od 
and true woman, and she tills in a i>erfect measure 
the duties of \\\(v. mother and frienil. 



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£> 




LEWIS has been a resident of the Stale of 
Michigan for a period of thirty years, and 
of this county for twentj'-two. His native 
State is Pennsylvania, where he was born on the 
loth of .lanuary, 1807. While he was yet an in- 
fant, his parents, Gritlilh and Margaret Lewis, who 
were both natives of Pennsylvania, removed to 
Wayne Countj', N. Y.. where his father carried on 
his trade, which was that of a shoemaker, in cim- 
nection with the working of his farm. 

The subject of our sketch was the youngest of 
lifteen chihlren. lie had little opportunity for ob- 
taining an extensive schooling, but early in lil'e be- 
came well acquainted with everything connected 
with fanning, which he has chiefly followed through 
life, lie is now the owner of forty-three acres of 
well-lilled. productive lau(^, and has put up a very 
comfortable farm dwelling, which is a most i)leas- 
ant home. 

Twice has our subject stood before the altar of 
Hymen. On the Citli of June, 1831, he became the 
husband of Clarrissa Hristol, the excellent daughter 
of Cyrus Hristol, of New York. They became the 
parents of nine chihlren, namely: Mary .lane, who 
married Mr. Thomas Shipley-, of Pultiiey ville, 
Wayne Co., N. Y.; Daniel, deceased: Sarah A., 
now the wife of Hon. Otis Moe, of this township; 
Amanda, who died when ten months old; .Mar- 
garet, deceased; Ansel, who was a soldier in the 
war of the Rebellion, and died and was Iniried at 
Fair Oaks; Eliza Ann, now Mrs. Edward Cummins; 
Rachael is married to Elins Shelley, and makes 
her home with her husband and ]iareiits on the 
home farm; ami Amainl'i .*^opllia, the wife of Will- 
iam Johnson, of Fawn River. 

The first wife of our subject died in E;iwn River 
in 18()'.l, and on the ITlhof Nfivember, is71,lie 
was united in marriage with .Mrs. Sarah E. Hatson. 
•► 



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ST. .IOS?:ni COUNTY. 



hi: 



the willow of Jesse Batson, of Burr Oak. This 
Iniiy W!is born Dee. IG. 1820, and is the (hiiiijhter 
<if (leorgo and Pol!}' .Slraj-er. 

.Mr. Lewis is one of the veiicrahlc and nincli es- 
teemed citizens of tlie county, and his home is at 
Fawn River, his property being on section 4 of 
tiiat townsliip. lie lias retired from the more .active 
dnties of life, leaving them to his son. He is a 
member of the Democratic party, and has in other 
days taken an active interest in matters connected 
therewith. 

S ' ^nT ' ^ 






JOHN P. GLADDING, proprietor of a book 
and stationery store in C'onstantine. occupies 
nn honorable place among the pioneers of 
St. .loseph County, and no one is held In 
higher respect and veneration as a man and a citi- 
zen. He is a native of the city of l^rovidenec, H. 
I., where lie was born of sterling New England 
slock .luly ■>-2. ISl."). His parents, Timothy and 
Klizabeth (I'errin) CJladding, were also natives of 
that city, and there the)' were reared, married, and 
spent their entire lives. They were well known 
and honored in the city of their birth, and bc- 
(piealhed to their children tiie precious legacy of 
good and useful lives and an unsullied name. They 
had a family of eleven children, of whom our sub- 
jeet was the fifth in order of birth and the eldest 
son. 

Our subject's early life was p.assed in Providence 
until he was si.xteen years of age, when he went to 
.Millluiry, Mass., t<j learn the watchmaker's trade. He 
remained there four years, and then for a few months 
lived in Pall River, ALass.. working at his trade. In 
iM.'id, being a young man of more than average 
courage and intelligence, with much ambition and 
enterprise, he determined to try life in the "Far 
West." as Michigan, then a Territory, was consid- 
ered, and September 19 left the embryo manufael- 
nring city of which we have spoken for his future 
home in this State. Traveling slowly, as was ne- 
cessitated by the limited facilities for travelers in 
those times, he arrived in Conslantine on the lOtb 
day of October, poor indeed in pocket, but rich in 
hope .and in plan-* for future success in life. He 



found here a wild, rough, thinly settled country, 
and a small hamlet on the present site of the vil- 
lage, but he met with a hearty reception from the 
hospitable pioneers who had preceded him. and an 
opening to practice his tra<le, in which he immedi- 
ately established himself, hiring a counter in a book 
store for that purpose. As settlers came in. and 
the country grew more rich in population and 
wealth, his business, increased, and was quite flour- 
ishing up to 1HG8, when he was oliliged to give it 
up on acctmnt of failing eyesight. He then ojiened 
a store for the .sale of books and periodicals, in 
which business he has since been engaged. In 1871 
he had the misfortune to lose his building in which 
he had ills store, entailing a loss of *2,000, but he 
managed to save his stock. Notwithstanding this 
discourageineut he promptly re-esUiblislied himself, 
and now has an extensive and reniiiiierativc trade. 

October 10. 1839, our subject and Martha Emily 
Howard were united in the hoi}' bonds of niatri- 
nK>iiy, anil thus for nearly fifty years they have 
walked life's pathway together, sharing its joys and 
divi<ling its sorrows, and in them the true nnirrlage 
has been e.xemplified. Mrs. (iladding is a daughter 
of .lohn and Patty (Loomis) Howard, both natives 
of Bolton, Conn. .Mrs. Gladding was also born in 
that town, Dec. I, 1817, being tlie date of her 
birth. When she was in her fourteenth year, in 
the year 1831, her parents came to St. Joseph 
County, and settled iu what is now the township of 
Plorence. where they coutinued to live until death. 
They had four sons anil three daughters, of vvlioni 
the wife of our subject was the sixth in order of 
birth. Of her marriage with our subject four chil- 
dren have been born, as follows: .lohu L. IL, who 
died when four years old: Emily E., the wife of 
(Jeorge O. Garnsey : Mary J., the wife of Isaac \\ . 
Spragtie. died of paralysis iu Hancock County, 
Iowa, in the year 1881 ; Benjamin O. is a druggist 
in Coiistantine. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gladding arc very fine people, win. 
combine true refinement of clmracler with unconi- 
mon excellence of disposition and go<»dness of 
heart, and the citizens of this place have the rare 
privilege of having before them in the jjersons of 
our snliject and his amiable wife the beautiful spec- 
tacle of lives fiillv rounded out by all thai goes to 



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198 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



make life wortli living to a serene and gracious old 
age. Ill them kindness and charity .are personified, 
and tlieir warm liearts and open hands feel and re- 
spond to any call for aid fur the weak, the imfort- 
iinate or the downtrodden. In so brief a sketch 
we cannot relate the deeds of honnty tliat have 
called down blessings on their venerable heads, but 
wo will mention that, notwithstanding they have 
had ciiildren of tlicir own to care for, they have 
reared live orphans, who found with them happy 
luiines. not only in a comfortable abode, but In 
hearts which gave a father's love and care and a 
mother's devotion and tenderness. One of the chil- 
dren died young, but the remaining ones have 
been reared to honorable and haiipy lives. Would 
that more who are far richer than our subject and 
his wife in material wealth would follow their noble 
exam|)le, and rescue helpless and homeless little or- 
phans from want and misery. 

Mr. Gladding has taken an active part in the vil- 
lage government, and has been a wise and trust- 
worthy civic oflicial, often holding responsible of- 
fices. In politics, the Republican party finds a 
stanch supporter in him. Ueligiousl}', he and his 
wife are vmIiumI members of the Congregational 
Ciuirch. 



-5-+2.=^^^4^-H 



4 



PHANKIJN WELLS. One of the most 
prominent figures of Constantiiie Village 
and vicinity is the subject of this biography, 
wiioowns and operates a farm of SIO acri'S of land, 
a veiy valuable properly located within three miles 
of the corporation. This land is devoted to stock 
purposes, Mr. Wells buying, feeding and raising in 
large numbers horses, cattle and sheep, making a 
specialty of the two latter. He usually keeps a 
herd of a hundred head of cattle. abt)iit 400 head 
of sheep, and twentj'-live head of horses. As a 
wool )>roducer it is probable that he is excelled liy 
few in Southern Michigan. Possessing great en- 
ergy and perseverance, with admirable business 
capacities, while accumulating a small fortune he 
has at the same time been of great service in de- 
veloping the resources of this section. 

.loseph Wells, the father of our subject, came to 



this C9unty with bis familj'' in 1837, arriving here 
on the 1 Sth of .lune, shortl}' after Michigan had been 
transformed from a Territory into a .State. He 
first settled on the old Chicago road in Mottville 
Township, but lived there only a short time, remov- 
ing thence to Constantiiie, where both parents dieil 
a few years later, the mother in 184.1 and the father 
in 1847. Their family consisf.ed of four children, 
two sons and two daughters, of whom Franklin, 
our subject, w.as the youngest born. The latter 
first opened his ej-es to the light April 19, 1823, in 
Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., and si)ent his boy- 
hood and y(.>utli, from the age of fifteen, amid the 
scenes of pioneer life, acquiring his education iii 
the primitive schools of St. Joseph County. He at 
an early age developed more than ordinary abili- 
ties, anil soon after reaching his majority was 
elected to the minor offices of his township, in some 
of which he has served most of tiie time since then, 
having been a member of the School Board almost 
continuously since 1841. 

Young Wells took kindl^' to the various emplo}'- 
uients of farm life, and at an earl}" age conceived 
the idea of securing land of his own, to l)e followed 
in due time by a home and domestic ties. In 184-2, 
at Constantiiie, he had made the accpialntance of 
Miss Helen M. liriggs, and they were united in 
marriage Oct. 31, 1844. This lady is the daugh- 
ter of David and Cynthia (Kidder) Briggs, who 
were natives respectively of New York and Xvr- 
inont. Mr. Briggs died when coni()aratively a 
,young man, at E.aston. N. V. The mother sub- 
sequently came to this county, settling in Constan- 
tine, where her death took place in 1807. Mrs. 
Wells was born in Eastoii, X. Y.. June la, 1822. 
.She was six years of age at the time of her father's 
death. She is a niece of Jlrs. John S. Barry, 
whose husband became Governor of Michigan, an<l 
accomiianicd them to this State, living with them 
until her marriage, which took place from (^lov. 
Barry's house. Of this union there have been born 
nine children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, 
Helen M., continues at home with her parents; 
Willis H. is farming on his land in Florence Town- 
shij). this county; Jeannette is the wife of Hon. 
Levi B. French, of Yankton, Dak.; Fanii}' 11. is the 
widow of Dr. S. D. Uadley. and lives with her jiar- 
■» 




•; 



A. L.Driggs. 



i 



I 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



201 



ent.<: Louise S. nianied Mr. Cliailes K. Wilbur, 
who is uow (leceasetl; she lives in Constautiue. 
Franklin, Jr.. is engaged in the book and stationery 
business in Ynnklon, Dak. ; Antoinette is with her 
parents; Jessie and Mary B. died at the ages of 
eight and live years respectively. 

In October, 1838, more than fifty years ago, 
Mr. Wells removed to Constantine, where he en- 
gaged as clerk in a store. This vocation he followed 
until 1842, when he went into business with his 
employer, Albert Andrus, the connection con- 
tinuing until the spring of 184G, when he bought 
his partner's interest. He w.os thereafter almost 
continuously a merchant until 1873. sometimes 
alone and sometimes having partners. 

The first land which Mr. Wells settled upon was 
[inrchased by him in September, 18G1, and lies on 
section 8, Constantine Township. This constitutes 
the home farm, and to it he has given particular 
attention, effecting gradually the imi)rovcmcnts 
which liavc made it a very valuable property. He 
has added by degrees to his real estate, and by ills 
judgment aiul forethought has evinced those quali- 
ties which have commended him to his feliow-citi- 
zens as a gentleman capable of looking after im- 
portant interests. In 187."! he was appointed by 
tJov. Bagley a member of the Slate IJoard of Agri- 
culture, and served six years. In 1879 he was re- 
appointe<1 by Gov. Crosswcll, and served until 
18f<."). He was api)ointed to his lliird term by Gov. 
Alger, serving six years, and in 1884 was elected 
Tresident of the board, succeeding Hon. He/ckiah 
G. Wells, of Kalamazoo. In 1885 .Mr. Wells w.as 
elected a member of the Kxecutivc Committee of 
tlie Slate Agricultural .Society, and subsequently 
('hairniMU of ils Hiisiness Committee, which |)osition 
he still fills. Once he was elected to the office of 
President of the society, but declined the honor. 
The latter ])osition is now filled by Cnitcs States 
Senator Thomas W. I'abncr. In l!s^7 he whs 
elected President of the Stale Forestry Commission, 
which ollice he still holils. 

In l."<7.s .Mr. Wells was appoiuteil bj- Gov. Cros- 
well, agent for St. Joseph County of the State 
Hoard of Charities and Correcli(jns. He had in 
the meantime been identified with other important 
iuterc-ls, being elected, in I •"<7.">, Secretary of the 

m 



Constantine Hydraulic Company, in which ca|)acity 
he has since served. Politically, he votes the 
straight Republican ticket. He cast his first Presi- 
<leiili:il vote for Henry CKiy, and in regard to poli- 
tics, as other matters, is a man of decided views, 
and keei)S himself well posted upon current events. 
IJoth he and his estimable wife are regular at- 
tendants of the Congregational Church, wilh which 
Mrs. Wells is connected in membership. The Wells 
estate is one of the most valuable in the county, 
an<l will continue to be a monunu'ut to the enter- 
prise and industry of its project<.)r long after he has 
been gathered to his fathers. 

4 ^t>-«^|^Kfi«f- * 

\lL_^oN. .M.FHFI) I.. DKIGtiS. Hoth the town- 
iTjl' ship and \ illage of Constantine are l;iri;clv 
t^^^ inileliled to the subject of this sketch fur 
{^) the success of the various enterprises to 
which he gave his support and encouragement. 
After IIk' turmoil of a lonir .-ind artive career, he is 
now living retired in a handsome honu' in the vil- 
lage, respected by all who know him. and with the 
consciousness that he has, as much as jnan ni.ay. im- 
proved his op|xHtunities not only for his own ad- 
vanliige. Imt tn the interest of those arounil him. 
The record of his life if given In full wuubl eiim- 
prise a very I'eadabic voliune. and it is a niattei- of 
regret that a history so pregnant with events iind 
labors must necessarily receive conipaivitively brief 
mention. 

The Driggs family have been kniiwn throughctut 
New I'.nuland for many decades as the exponent of 
all that was honorable and upright. Klish:i l>rii.'gs. 
the father of our subjccl. and hi- wife, wlm in her 
girlhood w:is Miss Ksther Palmer, were duubtless 
natives of Conneetieul. where they lived during 
their ynunirer years, and .after their marriage. The 
f.'illicr fiillowed lumliering (|uite extensively duriuir 

his e.arly maul d. at the same tinu' engaging: in 

agricullnral pursuits. I pon leaving New Fngland 
they took up their abndein Kens.sel.aerville. .Vlhanv 
Co.. N. v.. where they lived several years, and 
then removed to .Middleburg. .Sehuharie Co.. N. Y.. 
where the father ilied in his prime. The mother 
survived her husbaml >i>me vears. and died at the 



:!^r*-^ 



"^•- 



202 



^ ^^ ►f ^ * 



.ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



•t 



lioino of a (Isiuirlitcr in the city of Buffalo. N. Y. 
Tlicir family incliided five sons an<l two daiiirlileis. 
Alfred L. l(ein<> the fourth son. 

Ml-. Drijrirs was born in Hensselaerville. N. Y.. 
Auu^. 2.'). 1H()7. lie spent tlie yfreater part of his 
lioyliood and y(»uth at his father's farm, remaininir 
a inenilier of the parental hf)Usehold until reaehinjj 
Ills majority. Then, with Ihe usual desire of youth 
for a elianjre of scene and oeeupation. he went into 
the hnnher regions al>out fifteen miles from .lohus- 
town. X. Y.. having been a])pointed foreman of a 
set of men. and was thus oeeupied about two years. 
In Ma\-. \x:'>\. he migrated to ^lichigan Territory, 
and seeured possession of a luml)er-mill in the 
vicinity of .laekson. beecnning tlie lessee, and oper- 
ating it \intil tlic fall of that year. This was then 
the only instiUilion of its kind in that county. an<l 
[iroliably would have proved a soun-e of profit, had 
its o|)erations not been interrnpte<l by the .ague, 
wiiich alt.Mcked oui' sutiject and c.-uist'd him to leave 
that rt'gion. | 

In coming lo Michigan the objective point of 1 
our subject had been White I'igeon. this county, i 
where he purposed investing in land. .Vftcr aban- 
doning Ills mill enterprise lu' carried out his first • 
plan, securing a tract of eighty-seven acies in Con- 
sl:uitinc Township. This lay al>out one mile north ' 
of llii' pi'cscnl village site, lie w;is nol in ;i condi- 
tion lo settle upon it. and resolved tt) go to Delioil. I 
whence, if hi^ IicmIiIi was not better, he would re- < 
liini lo New ^'ork' St^tte. While sick wilhtheaguc 
••It While I'igeon. St. .losclth County, he made the 
Mci|uainlance of a Mr. King, who had sonu- me.-uis 
foi' which he was seeking prolilabh' investment. 
.Mr. Diiggs. whose lieallh w;is somewhat improved, 
went to lironson Township. IJranch County, to 
look at a mill site of which lu' h;id learned. IIeri> 
he was joined by King. :i partnership formed be- 
tween them, anil the building of tin- mill begun. 
Ml-. King, however, later, upon the ad vice of friends, 
decided to go further West. :uiil as>igiuM| his inter- 
est in the mill property to our subject, giving him 
two vears to pay for the sanu'. 

-Mr. Driggs. after encounlering many dilllculties 
and hardships, at last was enabled to begin opera- 
tions in his mill about the middle of ( Jclolier. 1M;?2. 
The machiner\ was run by the old-fa.-hioned water 



wheel, and after a few logs had been gotten out. 
the dam broke, and it was only l)y the most super- 
human efforts that the mill w.as .saved from lieing 
washed aw^iy. For over four uutnths thereafter 
Mr. Driggs scarcely hist sight of it day <ir night, 
running it eighteen hours out of tlic twenty-four. 
There were then none of the facilities to ship lum- 
ber enjoyed by the lundiermen of the present day. 
and the whole liusiness proved very expensive, he 
being able to ship little besides plank. 

In June. 1S3(!. Mr. Driggs solil his mill property 
ami 40(1 acres of heavily tindiered land for ^4..")0(i, 
and other land for !S!l,r>00. Chicago. HI., w.as then 
but an inferior town, giving no ])romise whatever 
of its future importance. To that place .Mr. Di-iggs 
journeyed on horseback, but on his arrival there it 
ai)peared to him little more than a mushroom, and 
he conse«iuently did not invest any of his capital. 
returning home with it as he had started. In the 
summer of 18;?(j he a])plied a portion of il to the 
pnri-ha.se of 2(1(1 acres of land in Ibanch and St. 
Joseph Counties, this State. A few months later 
he iiui'chasert and built on what is luiw known as 
lii-oad street in Constantiiu' Township, then a tract 
of timber land. lie cleared a portion of this. ]inl- 
ting up a dwelling and living there until 1^(!2. 
Till' year following, there being indications thai 
Con.~t:intinc \'illage might become a desirable place 
of i-esideni'e. he elected a fine ihvelling, vj-ilhin which 
when com[ileted he took up his abode. 

Ml-. Diiggs had in llie meantime invested a i)Or- 
tion of his capital in alumt 1. (!()() acres of jiine land 
on Flat River, in .Montcalm County, where he put up 
a sawmill which he operated about eighteen years, 
disposingof the product in Chicago. Prior to (his he 
had purchased a sawmill, gristmill, a distillery, and 
a number of town lots southeast of \\'hite Pigeon, 
on the road lo Lima, Ind. lie only held this prop- 
erl\- about three years. di>posing of it then to good 
.advantage. In 1872 he invested in lan<l on SmihI 
Lake, which is slowly but surely becoming v.mI- 
nable. 

It will llius be seen Ili:it Mr. Driggs luus led a 
\ci-y active life, and he has been for the most part 
fortunate in his investments, .\fter the comple- 
lioiiot' his i-csidence he en-cled ;i brick block in 
( (instaiitiiic. anil lalcr piii-cli;i~cil the Commercial 
m^ 



■•► 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



i>03 



4 



lloiiiiiiu-mill on •Water strt'd, wliicli is opcrMlcil In 
!i iviiliT. Ili^ example of eiiti'r|>i'ise and persi-ver- 
aneo has proved the stiiiiidant to many a man wlio 
iiiijjht have retired discourajred from the lield in 
the alisence of a less worthy example. 

Mr. Driggs ihirinjf the earlier years of his life 
took a very active part in jjolitieal matters, his sym- 
pathies l)ein<r unifi)rmly with the Denioeniti.- pai'ty. 
For eonseientiousness and inteirrity there are few 
who excel liim, as is evinced by the ex|)ressions of 
eoiilidenee and estwm which are to he met with on 
every hand ainonij his fellow-citizens. 

.\fter lilliny many otiier positions of trnst. in 
which hi' actpiitted himself in a manner i^'reatly to 
his credit, our sulijeet was elected a member of the 
.Michiijan Lenrislature in the fall of 1840. servinsi' 
his term acceptalily. .and in connection with the 
many measures under discu.ssion. evincint; more 
than ordinary fjmxl judjjnient and foresijjht. lie 
rei)rc.sented t'onstantiue Township in the County 
Hoard of .Sui>ervisors a perio<l of eleven years, and 
in both Branch and this county has olliciated as 
.lustice of the Peace. There have been few inter- 
ests connected with C'onstantine and vicinity which 
have not soujjht his counsel, and to which he has 
ever jj^iven a cheerful an<l attentive hearinj;. The 
status of n community is dependent upon the men 
who have been the most prominent durinir its em- 
bryo st.ite. and Mr. Driifsjs as a i)ioneer of C'on- 
stantine is eminently worthy of record as one of 
its buihlers. and associated with its most impoi'tant 
interests. 

Miss Frances M. Pease lu>came the wife of our 
subject May 2'.l. 1«;J:5. the weddintr t.-ikinir place at 
the home of the bride in .lackson, Mich. Thi.- lady 
was born in Hampshire County. .Mass.. Feb. (!. IHl |. 
»n<l w;»s of excellent old New Kn<r|and stock. Her 
union with our subject w.ns blesse<l by the liirtli 
of eijjht children, four of whom ilied in infaiu'v. 
The eldest daULrht«'r. .lane, is the wife of C. \V. 
Coril. of Conslantine; Charles K. .-ind Mary live 
with tlu'ir father; (leorfrc. who w.as a very promis- 
in.ir and capable business man. died in .lul\. llsKi;, 
at the aire of thirty-six years. .Mrs. Fraiurs .M. 
I>rij;<rs departed this life .at the home in Const:in- 
tine. .May :i. 1KG4. 

It jirives us pleasure to present the accompanying^ 

m 



portrait of this honiired pioneer, lo whom, as much 
as to any citizen within its bordeis. St. .loseph 
County IS indebt<'d for the development of its in- 
dustries, which have been llu- ba.-is of its pros- 
perity. 



KNUY PDUIKK lvi:TClIL.M,a well-known 
Ij) resident of Burr Oak Village, is spending 
=>^- the later years of a well-ordered life in the 
(^^ quiet and comfort of a pleasant home, sur- 
rounded by many friends. His property embraces 
thirty acres of highly cultivated land with substan- 
tial buildings, and where he has re^ideil with his 
excellent wife for a number of years. Mr. K. was 
born in the Mohawk Valley, near the town of Olen- 
ville, Schenectady Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, 1S28, and is 
the son of Chancy and Marj- (AYildcr) Kctchum, 
natives of the same place. 

Isaac Kctchum, the paternal grandfather of our 
subject, was one of the pioneers of .Schenectad}' 
County, N. Y., where he engaged in farming, and 
spent his last days. Joshua Wilder, the maternal 
grandfather, was also an early settler of that local- 
ity, a Justice of the Peace, and a man of note in his 
community. 

The father of our subject received a common- 
school education and learned the trade i>f carpentry, 
which he followed in his native county until Ifs.ji, 
and then, a young man of twenty-four years, anx- 
ious lo see something of the (ireat West, made an 
ocean voyage lo the Pacific Coast, anil remained in 
California about three years. Instead of entering 
the mines, however, he eng.aged in business more 
certain of returns, as a cleik in various hotels in 
that region, to which business he seemed peculiarly 
adapted, becoming very popular and drawing a good 
salaiy. At the expiration of the lime mentioned 
he returned to his native Suite, but soon, however, 
look up his residence in Wcedsport, X. Y., where 
during the progress of the Civil War he olliciateil 
as"inine hosl" of the Mansion House, and where he 
continued until I 868. 

Chancy Ketchum now set oiii unee uioie ior the 

W'est, and coming to this count}' settled in Sherman 

Towiislii|>, where he einploye<l himself in farming 

■» 



T 






•4*- 



f 



■*► 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



three years, then embarked in the meat-market busi- 
liess at Slurgis. where he operateil succt'ssfully un- 
til 1*77. Hotel life, however, had greater charms, 
and the year following he purt-hased the Park Hotel 
at Burr <>ak. which he conducted very successfully 
for a period of ten years. He was married, in 1S6S. 
to Miss Mary, daughter of James Jones, one of the 
pioneers of Oswego Countj". N.Y.. and who was bom 
in I'^i'S. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum eommence<l the journey 

■f i'fc- :;:rcther in 1S68. and have live<l harmoni- 
• •:.-!■. ••.^'v-.:,tr for a perio<l of over twenty years. 
Pr<.iTidenc-« bestowed, upon them no children, but 
•.Lrv have gathered around them hosts of warm 
:r cuds, and will never suffer for lack of kindly at- 
tention and affection in sickness or in health. Mr. 
1\> •-'.hum has always been an active member of his 

■ •i.Luunity. giving lil>erally of his time and means 
to those enterprises calculated for the best gooti of 
the people, socially, morally and 6nancially. 



y 



ILLIAM STEAR is a prominent and prot>- 
'erons farmer of Constantine Township, 
where he has cleare<l and improveil as goo<l 
a farm as is to be found within the boundaries of 
.St. Joseph County. He is a native of England. 
i-rti '.u I.' ' -" :re. Jan. 19. 182S. Hewasreared 
..;i :i ::i.-i;, - \iive shire, and was there mar- 

rie«1, July i, 1850. to Miss Frances Hay lock, who 
was bom in the same shire as himself, a year and a 
few days later, her birth <x*urring Jan. 2.'<. 1829. 
They cootinoed to reside in their native shire until 
''-".. when they came to America 
. iren who had in the meantime 
been bom to them. They landed at New York and 
'" ' - ■" 'ree years after 

->i ^ ly in Constan- 

tine. and by prudence and wise economy he had 
- ' .' y to warrant him in purchas- 

g the task of building up a 
home. He first booght a tract of forty acres, which is 

-■' ■ nt farm. It was l! 

- lu the years o: 
banlship that followeil. in which lie was aide<] and 
"; • _• ' ' \ tils wife, he not onlv cleared his lan'I 



T* 



from the forest and got it under fine cultivation, 
but was enabled to increase iL< area by further pur- 
chase, until he now owns ninetj'-lhree acres of fer- 
tile and highly productive land, and be and his wife 
have built up a very pleasant and comfortable 
home, of which they may well be proud. 

The following is recorded of the eleven children 
b«)ra to Mr. and Mrs. Stear: Maria is the wife of 
Manfonl Christian, of Constantine Township: Will- 
iam lives at home: Mary A. died when about 
sis years old: Hattie is the wife of Jacob Brandal. 
of Constantine Village: Charles lives in Montana; 
Lizzie is the wife of Andy Craner, of Three Rivers; 
Susie, who was the wife of Charles Brokaw. died in 
Constantine. July 2. 1884; George is a school 
teacher; Fannie is at home; Robert U. died in in- 
fancy, and Frank is at home. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stear are people whose kind hearts 
generously respond to any call for aid orsympathy 
from the unfortunate or needy, and all such find in 
them true friends. By their united labors, prudence 
ami wise management they have obtaineil a com- 
fortable competence, and can i>ass their declining 
years free from toil and anxious cares that L>eset 
their earlier life. Their many worthy traits of 
character have gained them the respect and esteem 
of all in the community of which they have been 
members for so many }-ears. Mr. Stear takes a 
warm interest in the : ' ' "airs of his adopted 
country, and votes in: . . with the Rejiulr- 
lican party, considering its policy the safest and 
l>est in the guidance of National affairs. 




;^ A.Ml EL VALENTINE, the oldest estal- 
lishe»l grocer in Stui^is. is one of its repre- 
sentative ' -' ■■ ■-._■•' 
>t<»re. neat - _• 

and well-sorted stock, comprising a full line of 

groceries. '-" - • '■ iiware. glove-^. mitt.n-. 

lolaco> an _ - - - at reasonable pi;'->-. 

and from his long exjierience knows well how to 

- •-i.fhi>l:i. 

- !iom in t. of Lysander. 

Onontlaga Co.. N. Y.. May 17. 1X24. His father. 

- ■ '' '• : 'iiie. was 9 native of (Jreene County. 



s 



t 



-4^ 



ST. .lOsKl'II COUNTY. 



20 



f 



N. v.. and lie there luarrieil Merx-v .lou«;. like- 
wise !» native of tliat tv>inity. Six ehiUlren wen- 
U>ri) to tlieni. .ttl of \«'li(>ni "rew to nianli<NMl and 
womanliotMl. hut all are n»>w deail luit our ?ulijei-t. 
riie father wa.* a fanner and also a l>ri<-kni!t><in. 
lie anil his wife wen." iieoi>le of genuine merit, and 
wi-n- held in the utmost respect l\v their neitrh- 
l>ors and friends. 

Oursulijeet w:ls |-eiire»l in his native .stale, and 
reeeivetl a suix^rior education in the .Vnhuni Acad- 
euiv. lie startt-d out in life as a farmer, and ww 
enjraiietl in that i-alling most *>f the time until 
\)*'ti. when he oime to Sturgis. Here he found 
emplovuient under .1. (I. Wait, as a far|»enter. 
lie liail learn«il the m.i?on's trade with his l>rt>lh- 
ers. l>ut it did not suit his taste, so he wurke<l at 
it only when lie omld fin<l nothing els«- to do. 
(mrsuing it foralniut twti years prior to eujlwrking 
in his present business in 1860. Simv that time he 
has devottMl himself entirely tt> the management of 
his stori'. ainl h:\s ijradually hiiilt iiii :i rtourishin:: 

Ml. \ aleiiliiie was iiiarrii.'<l I.i his tiist wilV (lit. 
1".'. ISIS. 11«T maiden name was Ann K. llowland. 
a daiigiiter of Humphrey llowland. Of that mar- 
ria::*' thriH' children were Imrn, »>f whi>m one. 
I.eonanl. is living. S-andi dieil in her nineteenth 
\ ear, and Frank diwi in his twenty -eighth yenr. 
Mn-. Valentine de|iart«>«l this life in IstU. l»-aving 
many warm friemls to nionni their l<«ss. to wli«>m she 
was endi-arvd by reason of her many ex»-ellent quali- 
lies and virtu«'s. 

Mr. X'alentine was niarrie<l to his prix'iit wife in 
1MT2. and to them one chihl. Maude, now decoa.<*Hl. 
lias Nvn l>orn. Mrs. Valentine's maiden name was 
■lane .lump. She is a thonnighly gvK«l woman and 
is devote»l to the interests of her hou.sch«>ld. Her 
lori-nt- wer»> Klijah and Charity .liinip. 

Mr. \'alentiue h.as lK>«yi a resident of Slurgis for 
t III rtv-tive years, and he has had an iuijiortant in- 
llneiKV in directing its rivie lift', and has held Mniie 
nf its most r»>si«msit>le ottiecs. for which he is well 
■ lualitieil l>y ediicalitm and a natural ca|Hicity f«>r 
.iffairs. lie was ( ity .Marshal for Ihriv years: 
rowiiship rrea?ur«-r for one yejir. and a meinl>«>rt>f 
tlie City Council for iMieywir. Iiesides having serveil 
"•n the S«luHil lioard. lie holds an im|M>rlant [xr-i- 




tion in the business circles of this community, hi* 
judinnent in regard to business matters W 
and farsei-ing. and his honi'sty and re> 
character undoulite<l. lie is iilentified with the 
M.asonic fraternity as a member of the Burr Onk. 
l.<.Klge. 

— * ^ —z^ — ■ «— 

LBKRT C. FRENCH. A self-made man in 
the strictest sense of the wonl. our subject 
was^early in life thrown njK>n his own re- 
s«.«urces. and by his own efforts has made bis 
war up to a good position, socially and financially, 
among bis fellow-citizens. A native of Geiiiso<- 
County. N. Y., he was l>orn April 27. 1S2'.', a:ii 
was the youngest in a family of five children, three 
s<.>ns and two daughters, the offspring of Olin and 
Arethusa (^Palmer) French, who were bom in 
Windsor County. Vt.. where ibey were also reareil 
and married. 

The French Jamily after coming to the United 
Mates settled in New England, where Ibey liccame 
wiilely and favorably known .as well-to-do and in- 
fluential citizens. The parents of our subject u|>ou 
leaving the Green Mountain State crosse^I tbe St. 
Lawrence River, and t<.K.>k up their aboile in the 
township of Hull. Lower Canada, adjacent to tbe 
city of Ottaw.i. Tbence a few years later they re- 
turned to the Slates, .and setileil in tienesee County. 
N. Y. Later they removcil to Eric County, anil 
from there, in 1847, to Branch County, this State, 
locating in Union City, where they s|«nt the re- 
mainder of their lives. The father, however, only 
liveil until ISo-l, passing away in tlie midst of hi~ 
usefulness. The mother surviveti her husb.iud a 
jieriod of fifteen years, (tassiug away in ls6;'. 

The subject of this sketch remained a merol>er «>f 
the i^arental household until a y«>ulh of eight. ti 
years, and aoi-oro|mnied his lurents l«.> Michig:ir.. 
S«.>on aftcrwaril he commenced Uie struggle of life 
on his own ai-counl. .Vt the .nge of twenty-three he 
coinuiencc«l the study of metlicine in Union City, 
under the instniction of the late Dr. William 
Chureli, with whom he remaineil one year. In the 
fall of l!*.')2 he entered the ollice of the late Dr. .1 
M. Cliasc, reraaining with him a year also, the: 
going to RiK-kford. Wiiinel«go Co.. III.. s|>ent tMii 



4~ 



.>-ll^^ 



^il^l-^ 



206 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



•T 



suniiiicr in the office of Dr. AVaite. one of its most 
eminent and sueeessfnl pliysicians. 

During the winter of 18.i-l— 55 Mr. French at- 
ten<le(l lectures at Kush Medical College, Chicago. 
The spring following he returned to Motlville. 
Ahout that time occurred the death of Dr. Chase 
hy accident, and our subject fur a time succeeded 
to liis i)ractice. lie finally drifted out of the medi- 
cal profession, and turning his attention to mercan- 
tile business, was emplojcd as clerk in a general 
merchandise store at Mottville. We find him next 
established in a book store at Constantino, of which 
he had the general supervision, and was thus occu- 
pied one year. He then formed a partnership with 
Joseph 11. Boiiebright, and under tiic firm name of 
Bonebright iV French they conducted the mercan- 
tile business one year together, and at the expira- 
tion of this time Thomas Mitchell was added to the 
firm. The admission of Mr. Mitchell brought to 
them additional business, and there was organized 
in addition the firm of T. Mitchell A- Co., as opera- 
tors of the hardware business, while the general 
merchandise branch was conducted under the old 
firm name. The mercantile career of Mr. French 
embraced about four j'oars, and upon the dissolution 
of the partnerships his time from 18G1 to 18C4 was 
spent largely in closing up the business of the two 
firms. 

In 18(!4 Mr. French turned his attention to the 
lumber trade, and for two j'ears thereafter w.is in 
partnership with the late Isaac Benhain. In 1SC6 
he again formed a partnership with his old friend, 
Mr. Bonebright. and they operated together until 
18«4. In 1884 Thom.as Mitchell was admitted as a 
partner in the lunilier business, but in I88G he 
withdrew, and Mr. French now operates the business 
alone. 

Mr. Frencli several years ago wisely invested a 
j)ortion of his capital in land, and is now the owner 
of a fine farm of 120 acres in Lockport Township, 
which is conducted l)y a tenant. In 18(>1 he put 
up the first brick residence in Constantine, a hand- 
some, roomy structure, which not only makes a 
very desirable home, but is an ornament to the 
town. It is built in 'he midst of handsome grounds, 
and there are about it all the indications of taste 
ancl culture for which the proprietor is noted. 
4» 



The marriage of Albert C. French and Miss 
Esther R. Benham took place at the home of tlie 
bride in Constantine Village, April 17, 1858. This 
lady is the eldest daughter of the laite Isaac and 
Chloe (Case) Bcnhara. Mrs. French was born in 
Constantine, Aug. 28. 1836, and is a lady greatly 
esteemed in her community, possessing more than 
ordinary intelligence and accomplishments. 

There are few men in St. Joseph County whose 
record has been more creditable or praiseworthy 
than that of Mr. French. As a business man he has 
been active and enterprising, prompt to meet his 
obligations, and of the highest integrity. None 
have taken a warmer interest in the growth and 
development of St. Joseph County, and to the va- 
rious enterprises tending to this end he has given 
his uniform encouragement and support. Me has 
been honored with many positions of trust and 
res|)Onsiliilitj-, officiating as Count}' Recorder and 
as a member of the Common Council, and occup^-ing 
the minor offices. Socialh', he belongs to Constan- 
tine Chapter No. 61, K. A. M., in which be h.as 
filled all the offices, and for a period of five years 
w.as the Master of Siloam Lodge No. ."Jo, F. & A. 
M. He also belongs to the Three Rivers Comniand- 
ery No. 29, K. T. He is one of the most conscien- 
tious supporters of Democratic principles. A man 
of decided views, he keeps himself well posted upon 
matters of general interest, and is essentially one of 
those wlio form the bone and sinew of a well-regu- 
lated coramunitv. 



ENRY E. ROOT, a wealthy resident of Con- 
\ stantine VilKage, where he is living in retire- 
ment, is well known throughout Southern 
(^) Michigan, not on!}- as one of St. Joscj)!! 
County's most honored citizens, but as a fine repre- 
sentative of the noble pioneers who have plaj-ed 
such an active i)arl in her development. Coming 
here in all the strength and pride of early manhood, 
be has not only witnessed the gradual giving wa^y 
before the ax of the pioneer of the grand old 
l)rimeval forest that for centuries had covered so 
much of this region, and seen large towns and busy 
villages take the place of the humble log cabin of 



jh 



-^^ 



ST. JOSKPll COUKTY. 



207 



thi' white settlers, or the wigwam of the red men. 
i)iit lie lias been .in imporUmt factor in Ininging 
:il)oiit this change, making .St. Jo.sei)h and adjoin- 
ing counties a fruitful and i)rosperous farming 
country, where commerce and manufactures also 
lluiirish. To the energy, foresight an<l enteriuise of 
such men as our subject, St. Joseph County is in- 
deed greatly indehted for its material prosperity 
and high standing. JMr. Root experienced all the 
privations and hardships incidental to pioneer life; 
liut ililliculties fast disapiieared licfore hisindomita- 
hlc will and steadfast purpose to make life a success, 
and old age drawing nigh finds him well fortified 
against material misfortune. 

Our siilijcct is a worlh\- descendant of a line old 
Massachusetts family on his father's side, and of 
sober Connecticut ancestry on his mother's, and in 
the ancient tt)wn of I'ittsfield, in the former State, 
he first opened his cj'cs to this world Dec. 5, 18i;$. 
1 le is a grandson of that gallant Colonel, Oliver Root, 
famou^ in the mililjuT annals of the colonial liistor}- 
iif Massachusetts, who bore so honorable a jjart in 
both the French and Fndian Wars, and in the Revo- 
lution. 'I'lie Colonel was a son of Samuel Root, 
and losing his father when he was ([uite young, at 
tiie age of eight years he was Itonnd out to Mr. 
King, of Westfielil. M.ass.. to learn the trade of a 
shoemaker. When he was a lad of nearly- eighteen 
years his bold and ardent spirit le<l him to enlist in 
the sec»)nd French war that was then waging. He 
had an eventful exiK-rience in his armj' life, as is 
recorded in the "Root (ienealogical Records." Ar- 
riving at the seat of war the sturdy youth was as- 
.-ignetl to the famous corps of rangers organized b}' 
Maj. Robert Rogers, which had among its ollicers 
those men of immortal fame, (Jen. .)ohn .Stark. 
Israel I'utnain, and <»thers of like character, who 
.•illogethcr maiie one of the most s|ilendid mili- 
tary companies known in history. When the Revo- 
lutionary War broke out, the Colonel, then in the 
prime and vigor of a sUdwart. athletic manhood, 
immediately offered his services to the (ontinentjil 
.Vrm\ , and they were gladly accepted, and he served 
with di.'>ticntion among thi- many notcl Colonial 
ollicers. He was present at the surrender of Hur- 
goync at Siiratoga, in f)clober, 1777. lie was Ma- 
jor of his company under Col. Blown when that 

4» 



ofiiccr fell at Stone Arabia, in the A'alle\- of the 
Mohawk, and succeeded to the command. He was 
a man of fine physique, six feet and one inch ni 
height, of a robust constitution, and was never sick 
in his life until five days before his death. With 
rare disinterestedness he refused to apply for a pen- 
sion, to which he w.is justly entitled foi the valor 
and patriotism that he had displayed in his coun- 
try's defen.xc while an ollicer of the Continental 
Armv, on the ground that the act of Congress 
could only have been intended for the benefit of 
those veterans who had no other means of support, 
while he was well off. The old warrior is now 
peacefully sleeping his last sleep under the sod of 
the old State he loved so well, and on his tomb- 
Stone is inscribed : "He fought the enemies of his 
country in two wars, and his only enemies were 
the enemies of his country." 

His stjn Henry, the father of oiu- subject, was 
born in I'ittsfield, Mass., Oct. 21, 1783. He w.as 
married to Thankful Johnson in 1810. She w.as 
born in Haddam, Conn.. Oct. 16, 1785. The}- lo- 
cated in I'ittsfield, where he was actively engaged 
in farming for many years, and there his venerable 
life was brought to a close Ma^' :i, I8C.3, at the age 
of nearly ninety j'cars. His wife survived him two 
years, dying Nov. 30, 18G5. During their jjleas- 
aut wedded life of over fifty years nine children 
were born to them, of whom our subject was the 
third in order of birth, and is now the i>nly sur- 
vivor. 

Our >ubject p.assed his early life in I'itlslicld on the 
ol<l homestead where he was born until he was sixteen 
years old, when he w.-is apprenticed to learn the 
tailor's trade. He served nearly live yeai-s, and 
then went to Hartford, Conn., where he worked as 
a journeyman for two years. In 1S3.J he went to 
Medina. Medina Co.. Ohio, anil stopped there until 
the s|)ring of 1 83f>. Then, in company with Will- 
iam (J. IJagg, he walked through the forests and 
swamps of the intervening country to Constantine. 
arriving here some lime in April. He at once be- 
gan to work at his tnide. and continued at it until 
the spring of 183s. When he firet came here he 
entered 200 acres of land in Constantine and eighty 
acres ill Cass County, and in the spring of 1838 
began lo make iin|ii'oveinent>. and in the followinL; 



i 



f 



•a^ 



208 



ST. JUSEril COUNTY. 



-t 



spring settled on bis land in Conslantine. lie con- 
tinued to live there, and actively enfjagcd in the 
ilevelopinenl of a farm until alioul 1S.'<2, when he 
returned to the village where he has lived since, 
with the exce|)li<.>n of one season on his farm. For 
six j'ears he was engaged in the hutchering busi- 
ness here, hut in the spring of I808 he bought the 
hotel then known as the Wells House, but now 
calleil the Uumainc House, ami for twenty-two 
years was successfully engage<l in its management. 
In his capacity as "mine host" he was a great favor- 
ite with the traveling public, as he was ever frank, 
genial and obliging in his manners, and his wife, 
with her cheerful, motherly presence, adiled to the 
popularity of their hotel, and vied with him in 
making their guests comfortable. Mr. Hoot leased 
his hotel in IS.sO, and li.as since lived in retire- 
ment, although he still looks after his farm and 
other propertj'. Besides the Homaine House he 
owns 430 acres of very valuable land, all in C'on- 
stJintine Township. In all his career as a business 
man Mi'. Root has disiilayed unusual tact, foresight 
anil ability, anil all his transactions have lieen con- 
ducted with fairness and generosity. He, of course, 
takes a keen interest in the affairs of the county 
and township, with which he has been identilied for 
so niiiny years, now numbering over half acenturj-, 
and in whose n|)building he has borne an honorable 
part, and does all that he can to promote the vari- 
ous schemes for their advancement. Politically, he 
stands l>j- the Democratic party as one of itsstanch- 
est adherents. 

More than tifty j^ears ago our subject was united 
in marriage in Conslantine to Jliss Lucinda Bcck- 
wiili. April 14, 18.'>7, being the date of their wed- 
ding. Mis. Root was born in.Saj- brook, Ashtabula 
Co., Ohio, .Ian. 10, 1816, and was the sixth child in 
the family of ten children of the late Levi and Lu- 
cinda (.Starkweather) Beckwilh. wlio were born re- 
spectively in I'ittstield, Mass.. in 1777, and in 
Connecticut in 1782. Her parents first settled in 
Vermont, and thence removed to A>htabula Count}', 
of which they were early pioneers. They stibsc- 
ijuenlly settled in the township of S.-iybrook. that 
couHty, where Mr. Beckwith bought a farm, whereon 
he and his family lived until August, 1S28, when 
they came to St. .loseph County, this Slate, arriv- 



ing at a point on the White Pigeon Prairie, Aug. 
G, 1828, and there the^- settled near the wilderness, 
they being the fifth family to locate on that prairie, 
and Mr. Beckwith sowed the first wheat that was 
ever sown on Ihe prairie, on the farm which is now 
owned by Rodney Beckwith. They settled in the 
southern part of Conslantine Townshii), where the}" 
continued to live until death called them hence, the 
father dying in September, 183!t, and the mother 
Aug. 10, 184G. The paternal grand|)arcnls of Mrs. 
Root lived to an advanced age. The marri.ige of 
Mr. and .Mrs. Root has been blessed to them b}' the 
birth of a famil}' of five children: Henry L. ; 
Charles O. and Mary L., deceased; Clarissa A. 
and Aaron C. Clarissa is the wife of Dr. Will- 
iam K. .lewett, of Adrian, Mich. Aaron, who is a 
farmer in Conslantine Township, married Anna 
McGill, and tliej- have one child, Henry K,, .Ir. 
Henry L., the eldest, is unmarried and lives with 
his parents, helping his father in the care of his 
business interests. He was a soldier in Companj- 
A. 49tli Ma.ssachusetts Infantry (Col. Bartlctt and 
Capt. I. C. Weller), was severely wounded in front 
of Purl Hudson. La., and «ill cany its effects to 
his grave. He was serving in the store i)f his uncle 
at the breaking out of the Rebellion, and was one 
of the noted "Allen Guards" of Pittsficld, Mass., 
who enlisted in a body and did gallant service on 
manv a hard-fought field. 



■*^- 



^ 



If^ BKCK, denUil surgeon, of 

'j )Y .Sturgis, is as ca|>able, talented and poi)ular 
ffij^^ a member of his profession, and as true- 
hearted and esteemed a citizen as can be 
found in St. Joseph County. He was liorn in To- 
ledo, Ohio, Dec. ItJ, 1848. His father. .John .1. 
Beck, was of Knglish birth, the place of his nativity 
being London, England. About 1830, when quite 
young, he came with his parents to the United 
Slates, and settled near Somerset, Ohio. He after- 
ward went to Cincinnati, and was for many years 
employed as bookkceiier for an auction commission 
firm. He thence removed to Toledo, and in 18.54 
to Hudson, Mich., where he lived until 18C,t, when 
he came with his family to Sturgis. He was a 



^ 



210 



■•► 



t 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 




sorvcfl (luring the adiiiini.str.ition of Gov. Barr}', at 
wlik-li lime oec-uircd the gioat conlesl between llie 
Mieiiignn Cenlnil <k Michigan Southern Railroads, 
the latter coining ont victorious. In 18.i7 Mr. 
Wailiielped to organize tlie Grand liapids iV Indiana 
Railroad Company, lieing elected a Director thereof, 
a position wliicii lie has held to the present time. 
During that year he superintended the grading and 
Ijridging of twelve miles of this road. In 18G0 he 
was elected to the St.-ite Senate, serving satisfactor- 
ily, and re-elected two successive terms, during 
whicii tinic he had charge of many important mat- 
ters, including the liills for the extension of the 
time for constructing the Grand Rapids it Indiana 
Railway. This was then considered a verj- impor- 
tant project. esi)ecially to the people of Sherman, 
Hurr Oak. Fawn River and Siurgis Townships. 
Previous to this Mr. Wait had served as Township 
Clerk. .Supervisor, and Justice of the Peace manj' 
years. In fact his whole life lias been largely dc- 
voied to pultlic duties, in the discharge of which 
he has aeiiuitlcil himself in a conscientious and 
jiraise worthy manner. 

Mr. Wait when nearly twenty-eight years of age 
was wedded, Oct. 20, 1 S.^i'.l, to Miss Susan S., daugh- 
ter of George and Mary (Ilershcy) Buck. This 
ladv was born in Erie County. X. Y., Jan. 8, 1821. 
Iler [yarcnts, natives of Erie Countj', Pa., emi- 
grated to Michigan during tlic d.nj's of its earliest 
settlement, ill 1828. The father was a farmer by 
occupation, and built u|i a good homestead fruin the 
wilderness of Slnrgis Township, this county. Their 
family consisted of seven cliildicn, three of whom 
arc living. 

To our subji'cl and his estimable wife Iheiv have 
been born the following .children : William II. 
11.. April 2.'>, 1«42; Daniel (!.. March 24. 1844: 
George, June 18, 184C; Mary E.. Sept. 28, 1847; 
'lhad<leu> P., Dec. 28, 1849; Arthur II.. April 2, 
Ks-jl : Jay ti., Aug. 1, 1854; Jessie, Oct. 1 I, 18.")G; 
Frank W.. Dec. 22. 1858; Lee E., July 22, 18G1, 
and Ik'ury. Thaddeus adopted the profession of 
law, entering upon the practice of his profession at 
Sturgis; he died in Caliloriiia. 

Mr. Wait was reared in the doctrines of the Bap- 
tist Church. Politically, he votes the straight 
Rei)ul)lican ticket, and energetically supports the 



principles of bis party. He established the Sturgis 
Jiniriial in 18G0, and continued to run the same 
until 1875. Mr. Wait is, and has been for a num- 
ber of years, very extensively engaged in the mer- 
cantile business, and kept four peddling wagons on 
the road for several years. 



-«.<-- 



J.OII.N -M. HUFFMAN lias been a resident 
I of St. Joseph County for fori}' j'ears, and 
I until his retirement from the active cares of 
' life to his present home on section 23, just 
outside of the corporate limits of the village of 
Constantine, was connected with its agricultural in- 
terests. He w.as a practical, skillful farmer, and 
worked his farm in Park Township to such good 
advantage that he gained a comfortable comi)etence, 
and can now pass his remaining j-ears without the 
necessity of hard labor. 

Our subject conies of good Pennsylvania stock. 
His parents, Samuel and Polly (Jones) Iluflfiuan, 
were both natives of the Keystone .State, and there 
spent their whole lives, dying in Clarion County. 
The father was a substantial farmer, and he and his 
wife were held in general esteem by those who knew 
them for their nianj* solid virtues. They had a fam- 
ily of nine children, of whom our subject was the 
fourth, in order of birth. 

Mr. Huffman was born June 22, 1824, in Clarion 
Count}', Pa., and there on the old homestead grew 
to sturdy manhood. He was reared to the life of a 
farmer, and remained an inmate of the [larental 
home. atTordiug his father active assistance in tiic 
management of his agricultural affairs until 184'.). 
He was then twenty-five years ol<l, and had ob- 
tiiined a good start in life, so he determine<l to try 
farming in Michigan, and build u[) a home here. 
With that end in view he came to .St. Joseph 
County, and settled in Fabius Township. A few 
years later he removed to Park Township, of which 
he remained a resident for twenty -eight years. He 
became the possessor of a farm there, comprising 
eighty acres of as fertile and productive land .as is 
to be found in the limits of the county. This, by 
careful cultivatitm and constantly added iiii[)rove- 



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8T. .lOSKl'H COUNTY. 



211 



nu'iits, he greatly increased in value, and it was 
fliK-ised anions; the line farms of tlic township, and 
wlien he desired to retire from active labor lie had 
MO didicidty in disposing of it at a good price. In 
May, 188.). he sold all of his property in I'ark 
Township and came to this village, where he owns 
a small place, lo spend his declining years in re- 
tirement. 

Mr. IlnfTnian has been three times married. His 
first nmrriagc. which took place in Clarion County, 
I'n.. w:i.s U) l^ucinda Briggs. B^' her he li.ad two 
children: Margaret, who is the wife of Emanuel 
.Stroine.and Dorsev, who is a resident of Muskegon. 
Mrs. HnfTinan's wedded life was of brief duration, 
as she died while j'ct j'oung, in Faliins Township, 
April U>, 18.t4. The second marri.ige of (>ur sub- 
ject w.as lo Elizabeth Miller, and the following is 
the record of the four children born to them: Etlie 
is the wife of Emanuel Eichholtz; Samuel died 
when about two and one-half years old; Ada lives 
at home with her father, and Charles died in in- 
fancy. Mr. Huffman's second wife died in Park 
Township, June 1), 1877. and he w.is again married, 
June 21, 1878, being then united to Mrs. Louisa 
Uichmond. his present wife. She w.as horn in Tioga 
County, N. Y.. March -Hi, 18.50. She h.is also been 
three times married. Her first husband was Josiah 
N. Fisher, who died in Ligonier, Ind. By that mar- 
riage she had five children, as follows: Eliza O., 
who is the wife of Lewis H. Bossett; Frank lives in 
Three Rivers; Albert lives in Denver, Col. ; Fred 
lives in Lansing, Mich., and Alva ,h lives in Chi- 
cago, III. .Mrs. Huffman's second marriage was to 
John Uichmond, who died in Ohio. One daughter 
was born of that marriage, Minnie R., who is the 
wife of Thomas .1. Keene. Mrs. Huffman is a de- 
voted member of the Baptist Church, and her daily 
life is guiclcd liy the highest Christian principles. 
Mrs. Huffman's maiden name wsis Louisa Tracy, 
anil she is a daughter of Erastiis and Eliza (Ar- 
nold) Tracy, natives respectively of Ma.*sachusetts 
and I'nadilla, N. Y. After marriage her parents 
settled in Tioga County, N. Y.. and thence subsc- 
ijucntly came to St. .Joseph County, this ."^tjite. 
They settled in Constantine, where he died in .hine, 
1.'<8I. Mrs. Huffman's mother still survives, at nn 
:idvanced age. They were among the earliest sct- 



tiers of this county. They had nine <'hildron. of 
whom Jlrs. Huffman was the second, as follows: 
James, I^ouisa, Romeiia, Mary, Martha; Levi and 
Lavina. twins; Walter B. and John. 

Mr. Huffman, although not among the early set- 
tlers of St. Joseph Countj", has .some claim to be 
cla.ssed among its pioneers. :w in improving his 
farm he did his share in developing and strengthen- 
ing the great agricultural interests of this part of 
Southern Michigan. He stands high among his 
neighbors as a man of trutiiful, honest, kindly na- 
ture, and one on whom they can rely for friendly 
aid or wise counsel. In his political sentiments he 
is a sound Republican, giving sUmch support to his 
party. 



cxr>o 



JIOSEl'll 1!. ( ATION.:! retired farmer living 
I pleasantly and comfortably in Constantine 
, N'illage. has been a witness of almost the eii- 
/ tii-e growth of .St. .loseiih County, from the 
primeval, forest covered land of uioic lh:ui IimH" :i 
century ago to its present :ulvauce<l stale :i> a 
wealthy agricultural region, where comnicrce and 
uumuf.-Lctures also tlou.rish. :is in iJS.'i.'l. when he 
was nine years of age. his parents, .lohn and M:irv 
(Barnard) (attou. cauu' to this county :nid (•a>t in 
their lot with the earliot pioneers of Southern 
Michigan, and with the exccittion of a few vi-ars 
he li:f< lieen a resident here ever since. He was for 
a long time subsequent to attaining nianliood :iet- 
ively identified with the agricultural interests of 
the county, and .still own^ :i v:duali|e faini of 2IMI 
acres in Constantine Township, lie li:i> therefore 
been a factor in developing tlie eounl\. :nid as such 
we are glad to represent him in this liiiiirrapliic:d 
work, where the reenril nf >o ni.-iiu of St. Joseph 
County's pioneers ami leading men is preserved for 
the edilie:ition of the present :iiiil eoming gener:i- 
tions. 

The p.M rents of our suliject were natives of York- 
shire. England, and there grew to inaturily :nid 
married. In 1 8:i2. determining to avail themselv(>s 
of the numerous adv:uit:iges that the I'liiteil Sljite- 
of .Vmericii presented over the mother couutr\ . 
they emigrateil with their family of five sons and 
three rlaughters to these huspjlable shores, and for 



•^-11^^ 



,t 



•21-2 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY, 



iuvliile lived in tiic State of Ni-w Voiiv. The fol- 
liiwiiiij year lliev came to St. Josepli County and 
settled ill White Piijeon Township, of which they 
thus early Ijeeanie pioneers. They lived there for 
many years, and [latiently endured the diseomforts 
Mild even lKU(l>hips of life in a newly .settled eoun- 
tiy. They aflerwar<l spent seven years in Indiana. 
liUt returned to this State an<l settled onee more in 
St. .loseph ( oiiiity. and lilially passed to the liouie 
JMjyond the ^^rave from their e;uthly Imiiie in ( oii- 
staiitine Township. 

lie of wiioiii \w write was the y(>unfi:est child of 
those worthy people, and is now the only surviviuij 
member of the family. He was horn in York.sliire, 
JMiLiland. Auir. 12. l«2l.aiid was iitiile youiiff when 
■ he aeeompanied his parents across the .Atlantic to 
make his home in the future on this continent, and 
as time passed on to hecome a respected citizen of 
one of tlieirreat coiiiiiionwealths forminy; the United 
States, lie lived with his iiareiits until their death, 
includinj;- seven years' residence in Indiana. In 
IH;')2 he was smitten with the eager thirst for gv\d 
that sent so many of our countrymen and the peo- 
ple of other nationalities flocking acro.ss the great 
plains and over the Kocky Mountains to Cali- 
fornia, to seek for the precious metal. Two years 
he spent miniiig in thai State, and his Ii;ird toil 
met with due reward, and .-it the eiul of that 
time he returned to .St. .loseph County, well .satis- 
lied with his gains, to settle down in lif(>. lie 
turned his attention to farming in Constantine 
Township, and was so successful in his venture that 
in Noveiiilier. 1HH(), he retire<l to his pre.sent home, 
to enjov the present competence that he had won 
liv honest and untiring imlustrv. and now lives 
ver\- (piietly. surrounded l>y all the comforts that 
heart could wish. 

Mr. Catton was iii;irried in MollviHc r<iwiiship. 
.I.Mii. I. lH.'i.">. to Mrs. i:hnira Shellenherger, daugli- 
Ii'idf Toliias aixl ( alherine Ilassenger. I ler par- 
ents came to St. .loseph County in ISK!. and set- 
lied in the western part of ( oiistanliue Tnwiiship, 
where the father died .Ian. M. I«74. when he was 
within three weeks of heing sixty-two years of age. 
Shedieiloii llic I llli nt Decemlier. 1K««. lacking hut 
a few weeks of completing her eighty-lirst year, 
lioth were natives of .MIegheny County. I'a.. and 



lioth when young emigrated to Richland County. 
Ohio, where they were married. They removed to 
Wood County. Ohio, and later to St. .losei)h County. 
!Micli.. settling upon a farm in the western part of 
Constantine Township, on which i>laee they lived 
until the death of the fathei-. after which the mother 
removed to the residence of her youngest daughter 
in Constantine Township, where her death occurrol. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ilassenger were the parents of eleven 
children, three daughters and eight sons, and Mrs. 
Catton was their third child in order of liirth. She 
was born in U'iclihind County. ( )liio. .Vug. 7. 1h;52. 

Mr. anil .Mrs. Caltou lia\e had four children, of 
whiiiii the following is rec(jrded: Mary K. is the 
wife of Morris Ilayman; ( Jeorge F. is married to 
Untie, daughter of William and Ruth .Simmons. 
has two children. au<l lives on his father's f;irm in 
Constantine Township; Willie died in infancy, and 
Henry I?, is a teacher in Constantine Township. 

Mr. Catton is in every sense of the |)hra.se a good 
mail. He has been industrious ;ind thrifty, and al- 
ways dealing fairly and s(iuarely with liis fellow- 
men, deserves that pros|)erity should smile on him. 
In Ills wife Mr. Catton seciircil a line lielpiii:i1r. 
one who is a judicious and ca|)able manager, who 
has actively eo-oper.atcd wiHi him in his woi-k. and 
has never neglected the cniiit'orl of her hciii.seliold. 
She and her husband are true Christians and are es- 
teemed members of the Reformed Church, of which 
he is ail Ulder. Tliex' arc very pleasant, amiable 
people, whom to know is to like. .Mr. Catton inter- 
ests himself in the political atl'airs of the Nation, 
and «;iriiily es|iouses the cause of the I )eiiiocratic 
|)ail\ . 



^^t' DAM GKNTZLKR. In reviewing the ca- 
(@/lJ| | reer of this gentleman, we must admit that 
the lines have apparently fallen to him in 
^J pleasant places. Of a temperament genial, 

pleasant and com[)anic)nalile, he is a man who at 
once secures the confidence and esteem of all whose 
good fortune it is to make his .acquaintance. He is 
a universal favorite in the social and business cir- 
cles of Constantine, and occupies a well-ap|)ointed 
home on section 11. He has a comforlalile dwell- 
ing, a particularly good barn, and the other out- 



h 



»► II <• 



■» II » 



ST. .lOSKPll COUNTY. 



21.! 



Itiiildings necessary for the modern agriculUirisl. 
anil lias gathered around him all of the comforts 
and many of the luxuries of life. Generous and 
iml)lie-s|)iritcd. he has not thought alone of his own 
interests, hut as he has had opportunity ha.s uni- 
formly' labored for the best interests of his com- 
munity. The example of such a man is everywhere 
felt, and is untold in its results. 

The Gentzler family came originally fmni Wur- 
leinberg, Ocrniany. The tirst emigrant eame here 
with his wife prior to the Revolution, lie was, we 
believe, named Conrad, and was the great-grand- 
father of our subject. lie enliste<l in the Conti- 
nental .\rmy, and servetl seven j'cars, or during the 
entire struggle for independence. On receiving his 
discharge, and being about to set out for his home, 
he W.MS shot and instantly killed, by mistake of a 
sentinel. He left a wife and three sons at his home 
in York County, l*a. His widow again married, 
and lived to an extreme old age, being past ninety 
at the time of her death. Of the sons, I'liilip lived 
and died in York County, I'a. ; he lived to be ninety- 
four years old, and w.as father of fourteen children. 
Conrad removed to McConnellsville, Pa., where he 
owned a hotel. He is supposed to have taken part 
in Sha3''s rebellion, as about that time he disap- 
peared, and his property was never claimed. 

George Gentzler, grandfather of Adam, was the 

yo\ingest son. He was born shortly after his father 

entered the patriot army, probably in the hitter part 

of 1776 or 1777, in York County, Pa. He worked at 

shoemaking, but after his niarria;;e became a farmer, 

settling in Washingttni Township, in his native 

county. He was successful in his chosen vocation, 

and accumulated considerable property. He died 

of cancer, in his sixty-liflh year. His wife was 

Margaret Law, al.so a native of York County. She 

survived her luisl)and many years, emigrating to 

Mii'higan with her son .lacob, and dying at White 

Pigeon in 1 is57, aged eighty-four. Jacob was the 

only child of (!eorge and Margaret (!entzler, and 

wa.- born in Washington Township, York Co.. Pa., 

Dec. !(!, 17".)M. He was married to Elizabeth .Speck. 

Oct. 1 I, 11S19. She was born in Lancaster County, 

I 
Pa., .Ian. 14,1800. After a few years' sojciurn in > 

their native State, they gathered together their per- 
son;!! cfTeC'ts and made their way to the y<jnng and 



growing State of Michigan. Coming to this county 
in 184;i, the father lirst settled on a tract of land in 
White Pigeon Township, but later they removed to 
Florence Township, where they spent the remainder 
of their lives. Jacob Gentzler looked hi.s last upon 
the scenes of earth at the olil homestead. May IC, 
1871. The mother survived her husband twelve 
years, <l3ing June 20, 18H3. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
eleven children, as follows: Margaret was twice 
married, first to Peter Stickle, of York Count)', Pa., 
and after his death to John Alvey, of Florence 
Township, this count)'; George died at his farm in 
Park Township; Martin was accidentally scalded to 
death in childhood; John was killed at the age of 
sixteen, b)' the kick of a colt; Klizabeth died in 
Kansas, where she had removed with her husband. 
Hichanl Stokes. The survivors of the family are: 
Catherine, widow of Leonard Kajjp, of Fabius 
Townshii); Adam was next; William, unmarried, 
is a resident of Nottawa Township; Mary Aiui is 
the wife of Solomon Chronister, of Florence Town- 
ship; of Jacob a sketch is given elsewhere; .Sarah 
A. lives in NotUiwa Township, and is the wife of 
Henry Limbach, formerly Treasurer of .St. Joseph 
Count)". Adam Gentzler, our subject, was born in 
Washington Township, York Co., Pa.. July 12. 
1827. His childhood and youth were si)ent amid 
the quiet pursuits of farm life, but when ajiproach- 
ing manhood, like many of that age, desirous of a 
change, engaged in a woolen-mill for a period of 
four years. Aside from this he h.as been engaged 
in farming all his life. He remained a resident of 
his native county until coming to Michigan in April, 
1S,"(3, joining his parents after they had resided here 
a period of four years. He had then been married, 
and now took up a tract of land in Park Township, 
upon which he operated twelve years, then removed 
to Constantine Township, of which he has since 
been a resident. 

Mr. Gentzler was married in Carroll Township. 
York Co., Pa.. July 12, 181H, to Miss Lydia A. 
Lehmer, who was born there Feb. Ill, 1828. Mrs. 
(Jentzler is the daughter of John and Susannah 
(Fickes) Lehmer, who wfrc natives of York County. 
I'a., and spent their last days in this county, both 
dyingin Constantine. This lady became the nmtlier 



f 



*► ir ^ 



t 



>14 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



of five cliiklreii, and departed this life at the home- 
stead in Constantlne Township, Aug. 18, 1885. 
Tlicir eldest son, Jacob L., is farming on bis own 
land not far from the homestead ; Susan died in in- 
f.aney; John R. is a resident of Florence Township; 
Elizabeth N. married George W. Hamilton, of Con- 
stantino; Mary E. became the wife of B. H. Sevi- 
son, and died at her home in Florence Township, 
in August, 1880. 

Our subject has been a member of the Evangeli- 
cal Lutheran Church a period of forty-five years, 
his parents and grandparents having also long been 
members of the same church. Of this church his 
estimable wife was also an adherent for niani' years 
before her death. She was a good woman in the 
broadest sense of the term, benevolent and charit- 
able, and was connected with the Ladies' Aid So- 
ciety. Mr. G«ntzler attained his m.ijority in his 
native State, and cast his first Presidential vote for 
Lewis Cass. He has ever since been a stanch sup- 
porter of the Democratic party. While a resident 
of I'ark Township he was a member of the School 
Board, and held the ollices of Justice of the Peace 
and Highway Commissioner. He is of a retiring dis- 
position, however, in nowise anxious for the re- 
sponsibilities of public life, preferring to give his 
attention to his farm and his fireside. Of l.ate years 
he has turned his attention largely- to stock-raising, 
also buying and shipping. His farm embraces l'.);5 
.acres of good land, wh it'll has been brought to a 
thorough state of cultivation, and is valued at a 
ijood round sum. 



^ ^-*-^- ^ 



APT. FKANCIS Ur Nli.^Y, a retired farmer 
of Const.antine, is a sun of one of the ear- 
^^^J liest pioneers of this township and ctmnty, 
and li.a.s himself been .in .active f.actor in promoting 
their growth and the di'velopment of tlieir exten- 
>ive agricultural interests, and he is still the owner 
of :! farm in Coustantine Township. His long 
rc>iden( e lu're. as lioy and man. of tifty->ix years 
li:is made him widely known throughout the county, 
and he i> greatly respected as a man of irrepmach- 
alile haliits and spotle.-<s re))ntation. 

The parents of our subject. Francis and l-".li/.a- 



beth (.\ndrews) Bungay, were natives of Englaml. 
i^ome years after their marriage they emigrated to 
this country, in the year 1X31. and for a time dwi'lt 
in New York City. From there they removcnl to 
Somerset County. X. J., where they lived about two 
years. In 1H33 they came to St. Joseph County 
and settled in what is now the village of Coustan- 
tine. On their arrival here they found the country 
round about sparseh' settled by a few hardy, coura- 
geous people, and the primeval forests that had 
stood here for centuries had scarcely begun to yiehl 
to the ax of the pioneer. Mr. Bungay plied his 
tr.ade of carpenter to some extent, and also estab- 
lished :; bakery in Coustantine. which was tlie first 
one in town, and one of the earliest in Southern 
Michigan. He also engaged in the mercantile and 
drug business with a man of the name of Mar.-hall. 
and tiiey were together until the death of Mr. linn- 
gay. Aug, "21, 1838. In his premature death C\>n- 
stantine lost an invaluable citizen, iis he w:u« a man 
of vers.atile genius, full of enterprise, and if he 
had lived would no doubt have been an important 
factor in ImiUling uii its business interests. His 
wife died in Coustantine in 1851. Their famil\- 
consisted of four children, all born in England, and 
all of whom accompanied them to this country. 
The eldest was ^Liria, who staid in New Yoik 
after her parents had removed ^Vest, She subse- 
(piently went to Detroit, where she was mai-ried, 
and died in Illinois; George ^V, is the well-known 
temiierauce li-cturer. iK>etand news])aper man. whose 
reiaitation extends over the entire country: oui- 
subject was next ill order of birth; then Tlioiiias. 
who wa.-> employe<l as a pilot on the St. Joseph 
Hiver, and died in Coustantine, when nbont twenty- 
seven years old. 

Francis was born in SutTolk Counl\, Ijigland. 
June 18. 182.j,and w:i.-i six years old when he came 
to the I'liited States with his parents, and since ac- 
companying them to their pioneer home in Con- 
stantiiie has l)een a resident of St. .Joseph County. 
He was thirteen year> olil when lii^ father died, and 
he was then thrown on his own ri'soiirces, his 
mother being left without means through the 
treachery of others. He and his brother nianfully 
cared for her, ami with filial affection looked after 
her every comfort and saw that she wanted for 
'• •► 



■» m ^ 4 ^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



•2\:, 



nothing tliat wa.-; in tlii-ir powi-r to supply as long 
as slu' was sparcil to tlicni. In liisi-arlicr yi'ars our 
sulfjtrl followfil (lilTi'ivnt occupations, working 
hard at anything that he conhl find to (l<i to turn 
an honest penny. Mo U^arncil the lil.acksniilirs trade, 
which lie pursued for many ye.ars. and for seven- 
teen years was cniploye(l liy the Constantine Fur- 
n.nee Company, lie w:is also engaged in a sawmill 
in Constantine for ten years, and worked in a llour- 
ing-niill for ten ye;irs ."is a packer, at which Imsiness 
he became an expert, lie ol>tained the title of 
Captain on accounl of running excursions from 
'I'lirci' Kivers to Constantine and return for sever.al 
seasons, until the dam was liuilt acro.ss the river at 
Constantine. In the meantime he Itouglit a farm 
in Constantine Township, which he still t)wns and 
su|H>rvises. although he has retire<l from the more 
active lalxn-s connected with its management. It 
contains ft>rty acres at the present time, although 
he (irst lumght 120 acres, lint he has <lis|M)sed of the 
larger jjart of it at a protitable price. He also owns 
a neat and comfortable house and lot in Constan- 
tine N'ilhige. and is well off in this world's goods. 
( lur subject has Ihh'U twice married, first in Con- 
>tantin<' \'illage. to Mi>s Isabella Catton. .'she wjus 
born in Kngland. .Vpril IX. 1M2H. and w.is adaughfer 
of \\'illian) and .Mary .lane Catton. Mrs. IJungay w.-us 
.•I woman of tine chara<-ter. who devot^'d herself to 
the interests of her family, antl her death in Con- 
stantine. .March .'30. 1K7".I. was a s.id bereaveiiient to 
Inisbaml. children and friends, ('apt. IJimgay's 
se<'ond marriage, which took place in Const.antine. 
Aug. '.I. l«»l. was to Mrs. Charlotte (.lewetl) Dc- 
l.ong. (laughter of the Lite Kri and Harriett (Win- 
ehell) .lewett. wh<» died at \'istula. In<l.. anil the 
widow of David DeLong. who died in ISrimlield. 
hid.. Oct. in. IHf.G. .Mrs. Hungay was born in 
SangerlieM. Oneida Co.. N. Y.. Oct. I. l.s.JC. In 
IN.'iS the family emigr:ite<l thence to .Vstabida 
County. Ohio, where they renniine<l about ten 
yeju-s. then coniini: to Constantine. in which plai-e 
they staid until |K7.'{. when they removed to \'is- 
tula. Ind. .Mrs. I!ung:iy is in every particular an 
e->tinial>le woman, who look> attentively after the 
comforts of the householil. and nu-rit.- the afTeetion 
in which she is held by all who cume under her 
influence. Mr. Ituniray liail three <')iildren bv lii~ 



first marriage, namely: Maria I,., who wivs the wifi' 
of Freilerick Hagenbauch. and who died in Fabius 
Township. Dec. 27. 1KK2; (Jeorge K.. who m.-irrieil 
•loann:i Schult/.and lives in (Joshen. Inil.: .Miid l'";ni- 
nie. who lives in South llcnil. Ind. 

In whatever relation of life our subject has licen 
placed he has done his duty in a manly, straight- 
forward way. .^s a .son. he was res|ieclful anil 
oliedient. and cared for his mother with great ten- 
dei'iiess; towanl his family he luis always Ik-cu all 
that a kind father and husbaiul can be: with his 
neighbors, he is ever cordial and hcliiful; and as a 
citizen, he never hesitates to do all that in him lies 
to improve the township m.-iterially and morally. 
He is possessed of a thoughtful, sympathetic nature, 
and the wrongs of othci-s find in him an earnest 
chami>ion. He is well known for his advocacy of 
tem])eranc •. anil for the stand that betakes against 
the use of tobacco. In his political faith he 
strongly .adheres to the Republican party. Ki'lig- 
iously. he w:us formerly identilied with the itaptisl 
and Reformed Churdi. but is at present a memlier 
of the Congregational ('liurcli.a.s is his wife. 

JACor. !•:. SIAIFFKK occupies an assured 
iKisition in the farnung cominunitv of St. 
.losepli County, and his farm i^>n section '.i'>. 
Constantine Township, with its well-tilled 
■acres and substantial buildings, is considered one 
of the best managed and mo>t productixc est;ite> in 
this locality. 

Our subject was born in Tuscarawa> Township. 
Stark Co.. Ohio. .Inly 22. IK.U. and is a son of 
Christian and Christiana (F.nsminger) Stauffer. Jia- 
tives respectiveh' f>f Dauphin and l.eb.'uion Coun- 
ties. I'a. After marriage his parents selthil in 
Lebanon County at first, and then left I'ennsyl- 
v:inia for (»liii>. and became pioneers of Stark 
County. They built up a comfortable home in the 
wilderness, and continued to make their residence 
thereuntil dcatli. Mr. siaulTer h.-iving carried on 
farming. To iIiom' worthy jieople twelve children 
were lH>rn. and our subject was the seventh son. 

The l.'itter wjis reared on his father's farm .-imid the 
pioneer inllueiice- that presjiilcd in the^c SImIc- in 



T 



-4^ 



•210 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 




those (lav!-. :uiil when lie attained manhood, he 
fho.se to follow the eallinj; of farmer, to which lie 
had been I'eared. and for several years wa.< engairetl 
in aijrieulture in iiis native connty. Hy industiy 
and wise eeonomy. at the early ;ii^e of twenty years 
lie already had secured a sutlieient eomiietenec. to 
justify his establishing a home of his own. and 
Mareii 22. 1M.").5. he w.as united in marriage to ^liss 
llarbara Hoffman, the ceremony taking place in 
Stark County. Ohio. She was a native of l{e<lford 
County. ]'a..and of their pleasant wedded life eight 
children were born, as follows: John, who died in 
childhoocl; Lucin<la. wife of David Ilint-ou. farmer 
and carpenter nc:ir .Middk- Hranch. .Stark Co.. Ohio; 
.lacoli. a farmer at Pipe Stone. Minn.; William is a 
graduate of the .Medical College at .\nn Arltor. 
Mich.. I)ut not being in robust health, is C(mi]>clled 
to limit his pr-ietiee, and resides with his father; 
l'",llen also lives at home; George died in Constan- 
tine at the age of eleven years; Mary and David 
both died in childhood. Into that household death 
again enterc<l. .\ug. 12. 1M72. and removed the fle- 
voteil wife and mother. Mr. Stauffer's niarriage to 
his present wife, formerly Miss Mary Uice, a native 
of Fayette County. I'a.. took place in K.aston. 
^\^■lyne Co.. Ohio. Nov. C. 1S73. Of this \inion 
four children have been born, namely: Cyrus !{.. 
Ida 1,.. .\rthur S. and l.aura !•".. all under tlic |ia- 
rental roof. ' 

In March. 18«(). Mr. SUuifTer settled up his af- 
fairs in Ohio, and moved acro.ss the border with his 
fjimily to make their home in the future in St. 
.loseph Countv. -Mich. He Ijought a fine farm of 
H!() acres in Constantinc Township, and has i)ros- 
pcrously carried on agi-iculture here ever since. 
His farm is provided with a substantial set of 
buililings. an<l with all the necessary conveniences 
for the labor of cultivating it. aiul the abundant 
harvest that he reaps fr<mi it is sutlicient evidence 
of his skill and wise management in tilling the .soil. 

.Mthough Mr. Stauffer's residence in this (■ouut\- 
is of a companitively recent date, yet by his 
honesty, industry, and upright conduct in everv 
w:dk (»f life, he luis won the confidence ainl esteem 
of all who have come in contact with him. and liis 
genial and frank manners have gained him many 
friends. Ills success has been such that he is 




counted out' of the solid citizens of Constantinc. 
He and his wife .arc devote<l to the c:iuse of Chris- 
tianity, and :ire among the leailing nieml)ers of the 
denomination known .as Brethren in Christ. In 
politics our subject is idenlitied with the Uepub- 
lican p:u'ty. 



HAHLKS TI.M.MIS. hue a highly esteemed 
resident of White I'igcon. was a native of 
Stafforilshire. Kngl:\nd. and born Oct. 27. 
1797. His father. Josiah Timmis. was also of Kn- 
glisli birth and parentage, and spent his entire life 
upon his native soil. There were indicated in the 
life of Charles Timmis the many excellent traits of 
his substantial ancestry, which resulted in the 
rounding up of a useful and praisewiu'thy career. 

Our subject completed his education in ai>riv;itc 
school at Stowe. seven miles from the town of Staf- 
ford, anil afterward engaged in agricultural pur- 
suit's until coming to -Vmerica. He crossed the 
Atlantic in l^fl I. settling first in the vicinity of 
lUilTalo. N. v.. where he sojiiurned a jieriod of 
eight years, ami came in the summer of l.'s."i2 to this 
county. Here he selected a tr.act of land along the 
western line of White I'igeon Township, near the 
bank of Fish Lake, where he lived until his demise. 

Mr. Timmis was married in his native Kngland. 
in February. lf<2l. to .Miss ICliza Timmis. a distant 
relative, and a grand-daughter of the F:irl of Ver- 
non. The latter and his family for several i;cnei'a- 
tions had been distinguishe<l .-ui successful in the 
tilling of the soil, and the building up of tine 
estates. To Charles and ICliza Timmis there were 
born nine children, namely: Frances K.. now Mis. 
Hobert-s; Harriet: Louise. .Mrs. Stevens; Mari:i. 
Josiah. Charles. William. Thomas and Laura. .Mr. 
Timmis became very successful in his agricultui:il 
operations, and at the time of his ileath. Oct. .'il . 
1«H1. was the owner of :?0() acres of land. 

The first wife of our subject died in Knghind. 
and he w:i.- subseipieutly marrietl to Mi>s Harriet, 
daughter of Dr. Henry DeWitt. I'liis lady <licd 
.\ug. 2.'i. 1M7L at the homestead in White I'igeon 
Township. < )f this la.'>t union there were no chil- 
dren. Mr. Timmis wits an Ki>iscopali:in in religious 
belief. 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



217 ., 




^ AMUKL CLYDE, of excellent anccstiy, is 
nuinbcred ainoiig the i>eacenl>le and iaw- 
aliidinjr citizens of Xoltawa Township, 
having his abiding-place on sectitm 24. He 
was born in County T^Tone, Ireland, about 1842, 
and lived upon his native soil until a youth of 
eighteen years. Then, coming to America single 
handed and alone, dependent upon his own re- 
sources, he landed a stranger among strangers in the 
great city of New York. Thence he migrated to 
Philadelphia, Pa., und from there to New Jersey, 
being a resident of the latter State about two\"ears, 
and eng.iged in farming. 

From New Jersey Mr. Clyde returned to Phila- 
delphia, where he sojourned a period of three years. 
In the meantime he had been married, and was the 
father of one child. In the spring of 186.5 he set 
out with his little family- to the Slate of Michigan, 
and settleil in Nottawa Township, this county, of 
which he has since been a resident, and continu- 
ously engaged in agricultural pursuits. His farm 
embraces 120 acres of land, whereon he has erected 
good buildings and effected the other improvements 
naturally suggested to the man of intelligence and 
industry-. He has maintained the proper interest in 
the progress of his adopted county, and contril)Uted 
his quota toward advancing the interests of his 
community, ilischarging the duties of the various 
school oflices. and serving as Overseer of Highw.ays. 
Politically, he is a conscientious Democrat. 

Mr. Clyde was married, March 15. 1MG4, in Phila- 
delphia, Pa., to Miss Margaret, daughter of William 
antl Margaret Davis, who were natives of Scotland. 
and are now deceased. The parents of Mrs. Clyde 
had a family of four children, of whom she was the 
second. She was born in the city of Gla.sgow, 
Scotland, March 31. 1844, and came with her par- 
ents to the United .States when about one year old. 
Of her union with our subject there have been born 
eleven children, four of whom, Thomas. Lucy, Re- 
becca anil Margaret, are deceaseil. The survivors 
are: Mary. Lil}-. Josephine, Willie. Beatrice, Nellie 
and Samuel. The ehlcst is nineteen years old and 
the youngest three. They are all at home with their 
parents, and form an interesting and intelligent 
group. .Mr. and .Mrs. Clyfle are identifier! with the 
Presbyterian Church, attending services at Not- 



tiiwa. They have gathered around them raanj' 
friends since their long residence in this county, 
being widely and favorably known for their sterling 
worth and genuine goodness of heart. Mrs. Clyde 
is a very estimable lady, looking well to the ways of 
her household, and carefully training her children to 
those habits and principles which shall make them 
good and worthy members of society-. 

The parents of our subject, Samuel and Ann 
(Guynn) Clyde, were natives respectively of Scot- 
land and Ireland, and are deceased. They were the 
parents of nine children, of whom our subject is the 
youngest. Of his brothers and sisters four are liv- 
ing, all making their homes in Philadelphia except 
our subject. 







p*^ LIAS WARE, a well-to-do farmer of Colon 
is comfortably located on section 
he is surrounded by all the com- 
forts of life and in the enjoyment of many of its 
luxuries. The property which he owns has been 
.ac(.'umulated by his own industry, and embraces 100 
acres of good land with all the necessary farm 
buildings, a goodly assortment of live stock, and 
the various other appurtenances of llie modern and 
well-regulated rural estate. 

Our subject is the offspring of agooil family, and 
his parents, Phillip and Hester A. (Grasle)) Ware, 
were both natives of Lehigh County-. Pa. There also 
they were reared and married, and settled for a 
time upon a farm. Later they migrated to Lorain 
County. Ohio, whence they came in March, 1»61. 
to Michigan, and took u|) their permanent residence 
in Colon Township, this county. Here the^' spent 
the remainder of their days, the mother passing 
away June 2. 1H84. and the father in 186G. Their 
family included ten children, seven sons and three 
daughters, five of whom are living and residents of 
Michigan with the exception of one, who is in 
Pennsylvania. 

Elias Ware was the ninth child of his parents, 
and like them is a native of Leiiigh County. Pa., 
where his birth took place Aug. tl. iK.'JtJ. He w.is 
a little lad four years of age when his parents 
changed their residence from the Keystone to the 



r^^^ 



•^ 



L>US 



Si. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



Hiioke3'e State, and in the latter acquired a com- 
mon-school education and developed into manhood. 
During his boyhood and 3-outh he assisted his father 
on the farm, but wiien twenty years of age com- 
menced working at the carpcnliy trade, which he 
followed thereafter in connection with farming un- 
til about 1880. Since that time he has devoted his 
time and attention entirely to agriculture. 

Miss Charlotte Smith, of Lorain County, Ohio, 
became the wife of our subject on the 1st of Janu- 
iiry, 18G1. Of their union there was born one child, 
a son. Freeman, who is now a minister of the Re- 
formed Church, and located at Three Rivers, this 
State. Mrs. Charlotte Ware departed this life at 
lier home in Colon Township, March 16, 18()2. Our 
subject contracted a second marriage Dec. 10, 18C5, 
with Jliss Klla Wilkey, who w:is born in Colon 
Township, this county, .Sept. 1, 1847. Her parents, 
William and .Tane (McMillen) AVilkey, were natives 
of Canada. Mrs. Ware received careful home train- 
ing and a common-school education, spending her 
girlhood under the parental roof. 

Of this marriage of our subject there have been 
born six children, one of whom died in infancy. 
The survivors arc: John J.. Maltic L., Oscar E., 
Norah E. and Charles A. Mr. and Mrs. Ware are 
members in good standing of the Reformed Church, 
of which Mr. W. was chosen Denci>n about 1865, 
and has held the oflice mostly since that time. In 
politics he is a stanch Republican. 



#^ 



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-t 



EV. STEPHEN PHILLIPS, a minister of 
the -Methodist Prole;.lant Church, is a gen- 
ii tleman fond also of agricultural pursuits 
^^and the quietness t)f country life, and has 
chosen for his home a pleasant farm which is lo- 
cated on section 32, Nottfiwa Township. A native 
of Lycoming County, Pa., he was born Nov. 7, 
1821, and is tlie son of David Phillips, a native of 
Danville, that State. The mother. Mrs. Nancy 
(Shaner) Phillips, is supposed al.so to have been a 
native of Pennsylvania, and was of German ances- 
try. This branch of the Phillips family traces its 
descent to Wales. 

The parents of our suliject after their marriage 



^^ 



lived in Lycoming County until after the death of 
the mother, which occurred about 18C0. The father 
finally came to this county and made his home with 
his son. our subject, until his death, which occurred 
in 1873. The parental household included twelve 
children, of whom our subject was the eldest son. 
and the fourth in order of birth. His boyhood and 
youth were spent at the farm in the Keystone State, 
and when eighteen years old he purchased land in 
the northwestern part of Lycoming County, where 
he cleared a farm and lived until 1 804. 

In the fall of the year above mentioned Mr. 
Phillips came to this county witli his wife and eleven 
children, settling at once in Nottawa Township, of 
whicli ho has since been a resident. He had alwa_vs 
been observant and thoughtful from his youth up. 
with always a leaning toward the ministry, and 
while living on his farm in Lycoming County, hav- 
ing developed more than ordinary capabilities as a 
speaker and worker in the Master's vineyaid, he 
was licensed to preach, and was ordained a Deacon 
in the Methodist Episcopal ChurcW by the late la- 
mented Uishop Ames. 

Upon coming to this county Mr. Phillips changed 
his church relationship and identified himself with 
the Methoilist Protestants. For seventeen years 
thereafter he was connected with the LaGrange cir- 
cuit of Indiana. For a period of six years he be- 
longed to the Newburg circuit in Cass County, and 
one 3'ear was in Lhe Poster circuit in Van ISuren 
County. Thence he went to Charlotte, Mich., where 
he was stationed two j'ears. and thereafter beloiiged 
to the circuits of I'uiou, Hillsdale. North Jackson, 
Diuiondaie and Eaton. He then to(^k up the work 
of an evangelist, laboring in lliis field (vr one year. 

In the fall of 1888 Mr. Phillips was appointed a 
home missionary iu the Northern Indiana and West 
Michigan Conference. He had l)een married in Ly- 
coming County, Pa.. April 2, 1842. to Miss Sarah 
Callahan, who was hovn there in August. 1823. 
Mrs. Phillips is the daughter of Dennis and Jane 
Callahan, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and 
are now deceased. The parental family included 
twelve children. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there have 
been born seventeen children, twelve of whom lived 
to mature years, the otiiers dying in infanc}'. The 



^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



219 



survivors were mimed respcelively : Martha J., 
Ellen M., Henry B., Oaniel M., Steplien D., David 
M., Mary A., Dennis L., .lohn S.. Elmer E., Hillin- 
ilia M. and Will T. Ellen M. and David are since 
deceased. 

Mr. Phillips owns eighty-lwo acres of "ood land, 
most of which is in a productive condition, and 
has convenient and tasteful farm l)uildin<(s. His 
record has been distiiiguislied hy a large-hearted 
lienevolencc which has inspired him in his church 
labors to work long and late, sometimes without 
other compensation than the conscientiousness of 
having done his <liity. He is a clear and forcible 
speaker, convincing in argument, and his earnest 
manner seldom fails to impress his hearers with the 
truth of his utterances. He and his estimable wife 
count their friends bj' the score in this county, and 
their home is the frequent resort of its best people. 
He has reared his chihhen in that manner which 
will make of them good and useful citizens, and his 
record altogether is one of which his children will 
never be ashamed. 



I ' i ' I ' ^ ' ^ ' " " 

JAMES T. GORTON, a higiily respected mem- 
ber of the farming community of Nottawa 
Township, is pleasantly located on section 
2!), wliere. with his farailj", he is surrounded 

by all things needful for his comfort, and is pursu- 
ing the even tenor of his way as an honest man and 
good citizen. He is a native of the Empire State, 
and was born near the town of Henrietta, in Mon- 
roe County, Jan. 2'.», 1M24. Reared to fiirm life, 
he has been familiar with its pleasures and emplo}'- 
ments since his first recollection, and he rcniaineil a 
member of the parental household until a young 
man twenty-two years of age. He then commenced 
working land on shares, ami was thus occupied in 
his native .^tate until the spring of 1854. 

In the meantime, on the 18tli of March, 18.'i0, 
our subject was united in marriage with MissHulda 
J. Mansfield. The young people began life to- 
gether in Genesee County. N. V.. where they lived 
initil the spring of I8,")4. and then Mr. Gorton, dis- 
posing of his interests in Ins native county, and 
bidding adieu to the friends anil associations of 



his boyhood, started overland with his family for 
Michigan. Soon after his arrival he selected a 
tract of land in Nottawa Township, this county, 
where he located and hassince lived. His property 
comprises a farm of sixty-six acres, all of which is 
in a productive condition. His buildings are fairly 
good, and he has the outhouses and machinery suit- 
able for the successful prosecution of his calling. 

John Gorton, the father of our subject, was born 
in Hartford County, Conn., and married Miss Al- 
mira Ellis, a native of the same place. Thej' con- 
tinued residents of Hartford County a few years, 
then, leaving New England, estultlished themselves 
on a farm in the vicinity of Henrietta, Monroe 
County, N. Y. Later the^- removed to Bergen. 
Genesee County, where thej- spent the remainder 
of their lives. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
eight children, four sons and four daughters, of 
whom James T. was the fifth in order of birth. 
The parents of Mrs. Gorton were William and Poll}' 
(.lacobs) Mansfield, the father a native of London, 
England, and the mother of Rutland. Vt. Mr. 
Mansfield crossed the Atlantic early in life, and 
after his marriage settled in Washington County, 
N. Y.. where he engaged in the boot and shoe trade. 
Later he removed with his family to Bergen, in 
Genesee Count}', where his death took place in the 
fall of 1853. The mother, after the death of her 
husband, came to this county and made her home 
with her dnughter. Jlrs. Gorton, until her decease, 
which took place Nov. 27. 1865. 

William and Polly Mansfield were the [larents of 
nine children. <p( wIkhu Mrs. <,Jorton was next tothe 
youngest. She was born in Hartford, Washington 
Co.. N. Y., May 10. 1831, and remained under 
the home roof until her marriage, acquiring a com- 
mon-school education, and becoming familiar with 
household duties, the knowledge of which has so 
much inllucnce in the comfort and happiness of a 
home. Her union with our subject has resulted in 
the birth of five childri'ii: Emogeue is the wife of 
Dwight Legg. and they are residing in Colon; Fie- 
mont. a railroad man, makes his headquarters at 
home; .ludson died at the age of seventeen years; 
Eliza is the wife of .lames H. Murray, of South 
Boardman, Mich.; .Maude died at the age of seven 



^ 



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4 



220 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



years. Emogene and Eliz.i took kindly to tlieir 
books in tiieir childhood, and developed into suc- 
cessful school teachers. These two daughters with 
their parents are niomhers in good standing of the 
Baptist Church, with which Mr. Gorton has been 
connected since 18G7. His estimable wife has also 
been an almost lifelong member of this church, hav- 
ing united with it as earl}- as 1857. Mr. Gorton 
cast his first Tresidential vote for James K. Polk, 
and has been a Republican since the organization of 
the party over thirty-two years ago. 



N. ADDl.sON. In the career of this most 
|ti highly esteemed citizen of Leonidas Town- 
ship we note that of the self-made man, 
who from an humble beginning in life has 
arisen to an enviable position, socially and finan- 
cially, among his fellowmen. Deprived of parental 
care at an earl}' age, he was an inmate of the home 
of his grandfather until a lail of thirteen years, .ind 
then by the death of that relative was thrown en- 
tirely upon his own resources. It is usually the 
rule that not only Providence, but humanity, assists 
those who try to help themselves, and that rule has 
held good in relation to the life of Mr. Addison. 

The main points in a history of more than usual 
interest are as follows: H. N. Addison was born 
over sixty-eight years ago in the little town of 
Euclid, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, on the 12th of May, 
1820. From that time on until a man twenty-eight 
3'ears of age he was a resident mostly of his na- 
tive county, and variouslj' occupied, mostly, how- 
ever, in agricultural pursuits. The exception to 
this was three seasons in which he sailed on the 
Liikes. Ul)on leaving the Buckeye State, accom- 
panied by his wife, he made his way to Elkhart 
Count}', Ind., in 1848. He had commenced teach- 
ing when twenty-two years of age, and thereafter 
followed this profession twenty-six winters in suc- 
cession, meeting with more than ordinary success. 
In Elkliart County. Ind.. he si-ttled upon a tract of 
land which he had purchaseil before his marriage. 
After a resi<lence there of about sixteen months he 
returned to Ohio on account of ill-health, and re- 
sided there three years longer, being employed once 



more on the Lakes as a sailor two seasons, and the 
last season was m.ate of a vessel. 

At the expiration of this time Mr. Addison con- 
cluded to venture once more into the wilds of In- 
diana, and lived in Elkhart County this time a 
period of four and one-half years. He then traded 
off a portion of his property for the land which he 
has since transformed into a good farm in Leonidas 
Township, this county. This latter he located upon 
in April, 1857, and for a period of more than 
twenty years has been numbered among its better 
class of farmers and the most reliable citizens of his 
township. From a tract of wild land he has built 
up one of its best homesteads, and added to his first 
purchase until he is now the owner of 240 acres, 
1 GO of which he has brought to a goo<l state of cul- 
tivation. He carries on mixed agriculture, and is 
in the enjoyment of a good income. 

The lady who has for the last forty years been 
the faithful companion and helpmate of our sub- 
ject was ill her girlhood Miss Lovisa R. Ransom, 
and became his wife at Warrcnsville. in Cuyahoga 
County, Ohio, March 30, 1848. Mrs. Addison was 
born in the .ibove-mentioned place, June 17, 1827, 
and there spent her childhood and youth under the 
parental roof. Of her union with our subject there 
have been born six children, four of whom are liv- 
ing: William R., a capable and intelligent business 
man, is a mail agent on the Air Line Railroad, 
and a resident of Leonidas; Nina C. ; Bertha J., a 
teacher, and Mary A., make their home with their 
parents; Rachel L.. a deceased daughter, became 
the wife of A. B. Southwick. and died at her home 
in Mendon. Sept. 18, 1873: Isola A. died at the 
age of eight years and seven months. 

Mr. Addison, politically, aims to supportllie men 
whom he considers best qualified ft)r the duties of 
otlice, and consequently is independent. Both he 
and his excellent wife are meinbei's in good stand- 
ing of the Christian Church. They also belong to 
the P. of H. Mr. Ad<lison has been School In- 
spector in his district a period of five years, served 
as Highway Commissioner the same length of time, 
has been Justice of the Peace a number of years, 
and has also represented Leonidas Township in the 
County Board of Supervisors. As a fanner he has 
been thorough and skillful, and his surroundings in- 



ST. .lOSKPH COUNTY. 



-•^HH* 



221 



\ 



*■ 



dicatc the exercise of cultivated tastes and ample 
means. In IWi he completed a handsome and 
substantial residence, which, with its surroundings, 
fulfills the modern idea of the complete home. Pub- 
lic-spirited and liberal, there are few wortiiy pro- 
jects to which he h.os not lent his name, his influence 
and more substantial .assistance. 

William Addison, the father of our subject, was 
born Dec. 6. 1791, in New Hampshire, and married 
Miss Hannah Stiles, who w.as born in September, 
1792, in the State of New York. Their family- con- 
sisted of two sons only, our subject and his brother, 
Hiram M., the latter of whom is now in Cleveland, 
Ohio. Tiie fatlier died in KIkhart County, Ind., 
July 8, 18G7. The mother subsequently returned 
to her home in Cuyahosja County, Ohio, where her 
death took place in May, 187G. 

The parents of Mrs. Addison were Oliver and 
Rachel (Hollister) Ransom, who were natives re- 
spectively of Lyme and Covcntr}-, Conn. The 
former was born Nov. 3, 1800. and the latter May 
14, 1803. Both parents are living, having arrived 
at an advanced age, and are S|)ending their last 
years in Norwalk, Ohio. They had ten children, 
who were named respectively: Lusina C. Sylves- 
ter, Lovisa r., Lovisa Rosana, Cornelia R., \Vealthy 
L., Philura L., Mary G., Gerdon M. and Eunice A. 
Lovisa P. died at the age of one and one-half j-ears ; 
Lusina died in 1880, when sixty -six years old; Syl- 
vester died in 1875, at the age of fiftj' )-ears. The 
others are residents mostlj' of Ohio. 



i^,KTP:R WHITE is one of the loyal and pub- 
IJIJ lie-spirited citizens of Nottawa Township. 
^ and the owner of a farm on section 2, 
some 160 acres in extent, which leaves 
upon the mind of the interested visitor the idea 
that the owner thereof is a man who knows his 
business, and knowing it performs it in a thorough 
and efficient manner. He is the son of Zeboath 
an<l Susan (Oman) White. His father was by oc- 
cupation an agriculturist, and prosperous therein. 
Both he and his wife were natives of Clinton 
County, Pa., were there liroiight up. married and 

4» 




started in life. Thence they removed to Crawford 
County, Ohio, and in the spring of 1853 came to 
this county and settled in Nottawa Township, which 
was their home until their cleath. 

The subject of this sketch was the eldest of three 
children born to his parents. His life began in 
Columbia County. Pa., on the 19th of January, 
1825. He accompanied his parents on the various 
removals above enumerated, making his home with 
them until their death, the former Oct. 31,1803, and 
the latter .luly 1 3. 1 888. He fully learned the multi- 
farious details of farm work, and as a young man 
was ever the equal of any of his age in almost any 
department of farm work. 

Weary of a single life Mr. White married, Aug. 
21, 1849, Sarah Ann Melicli. This lady is the 
daughter of Andred and Sarah (Best) Melich. She 
was the fifth of seven children born to her parents. 
The pliice of her nativity was Mt. Pleasant, Co- 
lumbia Co., Pa., and the date of that important 
event the 10th of May, 1831. Our subject went 
with his wife and one child to Crawford County, 
Ohio, where he remained for two 3'ears, and in the 
spring of 1853 removed to this county and settled 
in Nottawa Township. 

Mr. and Mrs. White are the parents of seven 
children, who bear the following names: Emory, 
Frank, Susannah, Andrew, Esther, Peter and E<lith. 
Emory still remains at home, his father's helper ; 
Frank resides in Nottawa Township; Susannah is 
the wife of Ira Barnebee, of Kalamazoo County; 
Andrew is one of the progressive farmers of Not- 
tawa Township; the other members of the family 
are still at h(jme. 

The farm and buildings of our subject are well 
kept, and seem to indicate an intelligent, progress- 
ive and prosperous .agriculturist at the head of 
affairs. His residence is not altogether unpreten- 
tious, is well arranged, comfortably furnished, and 
in every regard a true home. Although at all times 
anxious to do his part as a citizen, and bear the re- 
sponsibilities that come to him in that relation, and 
especially desirous of doing everything that will 
promote the welfare of the State, he is not a poli- 
tician in the ordinary acceptance of that word, but 
at the same time makes a point to study and under- 
stjind current questions in the political world. He 



>► i ■» 



■♦- 



ST. JOSEPH COUKTY. 



ii^H* 



is an adilirtte of the Democratic party. Bolli Mr. 
anfl Mrs. Wliite eiijoj- tliu |)erfect confidence and 
highest esteem of the ctjirimiinity. and are in every 
circle accorded the heartiest welcome. 




REDERICK C. KNOX. It was a matter of 
snr|)rise to European nations nsed to enor- 
mous standing armies that as soon as the 
necessity of war was over and the last battle was 
fought, that the American Union Army met and 
had its grand review, and after a few words of 
commendation and patriotic remark from its chief 
olficers. disbanded, and then was scattered through- 
out the length and breadth of the land, melting like 
mist of the morning at the approach of the King of 
Day. The gentleman wliose life is here recorded is 
one who fought with the boys in blue for the old 
flag, and when no longer needed upon the battle- 
field returned to the more peaceful avocation of 
husbandry. 

The father of our subject was Charles H. Knox, 
who was the husband of Marj' J. Craft. They were 
married at Sturgis, and settled in Centreville in I S'3r>. 
There they lived for manj'3'ears; .Mr. Ku<jx de- 
parted this life in the j-ear 1852, and is still sur- 
vived by his widow, who makes her home with our 
subject. 'Vhey were the parents of the following 
children, all of whom lived to mature years: Henry, 
Daniel M., Josephine, Mary, Charles F. and William. 
The two first named are deceased. 

Our subject was born at Centreville on the •24th 
of Jul}', 1843, and lived in the village until he was 
about twelve years of age. He removed with his 
mother, after his father's decease, to the farm in 
Nottawa Township, where he has since made his 
home, and carried on as well as he was able the 
work connected therewith. 

Among the first to answer the call for soldiers was 
our subject. He enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, in Battery 
D, of the 1st Jlichigan I.,ight Artillerj-, and served 
for three j'ears, receiving an honorable discharge in 
November, 1864. On account of the heavy con- 
cussions caused by the continual firing of heavy 
ordnance and large guns at the battle of Mission- 
ary Ridge he sustained an injury to the tj'mpanum 

4* 



of the left ear, which caused him to lose his hearing 
on that side, while that of the right is also some- 
what impaired. Owing to inflammation his eyesight 
is also affected, that of the right eye being the 
wtirse. 

Upon being discharged from military service Mr. 
Knox returned to his home in Nottawa. and resumed 
farming, where he has the charge of 200 acres of 
land in a high state of (;ultivation, operated upon 
the line of general farming with considenible suc- 
cess. His farm is well slitcked, and provided with 
necessary' implements, machines and buildings, 
which he has been careful to erect after the most 
approved plans. 

Mr. Knox was married in Centreville, this State, 
becoming the husband of Juliet Ingalls, who is the 
daughter of Jonathan and Adelia (Brooks) Ingalls. 
They were old settlers in the county, having come 
to Nottawa about the year 1830, from which time 
they resided there continuously until their decease, 
and until lier marriage Mrs. K. continued to reside 
there. Mr. and Mrs. Knox are the |)arents of two 
children — Hercia B. and Josephine. 

The sulijecl of our sketch has been elected to the 
offices of Highway Commissioner and .School Asses- 
sor, and has held the same for several 3"ears. He is 
a member in good standing of the David Oaks 
Post No. 132, G. A. R.. of Centreville, and takes a 
great interest in the work of the same. His politi- 
cal position is that of the Republican partj% which 
he has alw.ays esi)oused. 



'^it^ 




ff^-^^ENRY LOHR, well known throughout Not- 
tawa Township and its neighborhood as a 
thorough, enterprising and successful far- 
v^) mer, is the son of William and Elizabeth 
(Miller) Lohr, both of whom were natives of Penn- 
sylvania. The parents of our subject were born at 
Northumberland, Pa. They were married in their 
native State, and there made their home for a time, 
removing to Illinois in 1854. Thej- died in Stephen- 
son Count}'* that State. 

The subject of our sketch was the sixth of eight 
children born to his parents; this interesting event 
occurred on the 10th of February, 1819, in Union, 



r 



■*^^r^ 



S>T. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



•>2:i 



or as it is now called, Snyder Comity. Pa. He was 
l)r()uj;ht np on a farm, ami lias always been used to 
farm life, associations and snrroundings. His home 
was in liis native State until the year 18.i.5, when he 
came West and settled in Nottawa Townslii[). this 
county, where he has ever since been a resident. 
He also owns 160 acres of good land in Dakota 
Territory, niakin}; with his other farm 7.50 acres. 

Mr. Lohr was married to Miss Klizabeth Swartz. 
in Center County, on the 13th of Oclt)ber, 1842. 
This lad\- was the estimable daughter of David and 
Sarah Swartz. and was born on the •22d of February, 
182C, in that county. This union resulted in the 
birth of seven children, viz: David, now a resi- 
dent of Nottawa Township; Susan J. is the wife of 
.John Haishl)ergor. of Park Townshi|i; Cyrus lives 
in Dakota; Sarah A. was the wife of John Young, 
and died in Lockport Township in December, 187.5; 
Mary C. and Dewitt Cline, Hiram W. died when 
three years of .age, and one other child died iu 
infancy. Mrs. Lohr departed this life on the 19th 
of Febrnarj'. 1886. .She w.as an old member of the 
(ierman Reformed Cliurcli, and much respected in 
that community, as she was also in the community 
generally. Our subject is identified with the same 
religious organization and has been for many j-ears. 
He takes considerable interest in questions of gov- 
ernmental import, and usually votes with the Demo- 
cratic part}'. 



-f 



/^^ YIU'S PALMKR. In this liiography the 
[l(^. reader is introduced to one of the old set- 
^^/ tiers and esteemed citizens of the count}', 
will) ill the days of its earlier history took an active 
part in the efforts that have resulted so favoralil}' 
toward the attainment of its iwesent position. His 
farm is situated upon .section 13, Nottawa Town- 
ship, comprises 188 acres, and is well improved and 
cultivated. 

Mr. Palmer was born in Walworth, W.ayne Co., 
N. Y.. on the 7th of May. IHI.5. He is the son of 
John and Nancy (Lamb) Palmer, who emigrated to 
Lenawee County, this State, in the spring of 1831, 
and settled on laml in what is now Uidgeway Town- 
ship, where, after reaching a good old age. they 



died. They were the parents of eleven children, 
of whom our subject wjis the second born. He 
camo with his parents when they removed to this 
State, and w.as at the tinn; fifteen years of age. He 
continued to live with them until the year 1838, 
and then with his wife he came to this county, and 
settled in Nottawa Township. His marriage was 
celelirated in Lenawee County, in what is now 
Ridge way Township, on the 17th of .September, 
1837. when he was united with Mary Sehie<lcr. 
This lady was born near the cit}- of Philadelphia, on 
the 2 1 St of July, 1818. She is the daughter of 
John and Susan ( Wambold) .Schreder, who also came 
to Michigan in 1831, and settled in the same neigh- 
borhood as the parents of our suliject, and they 
ccjutinued to make their home there until their 
death. The_v were the parents of seven children, 
their daughter Mary being the eldest. 

When Mr. and Mrs. Palmer emigrated to this 
county the country was very little better than a 
wilderness, and upon their settlement in the tcjwn- 
sliip their first work w:is to make a clearing, that 
done, to begin to improve the land and cultivate 
it. Their first home was constructed of logs, and 
in it they niaile their home for man}- years. It has 
now, however, been replaced by a fine brick struc- 
ture, making a very pleasant and comfortable home. 
The farm is provided with the various machines 
and implements needed for efTectiveand remunera- 
tive operations thereon, and the result is seen in the 
harvests that are gathered year by year. 

The home circle of our suliject includes seven 
children, whose names are recorded as follows: 
George W., Charles A.. Harvey D., Celia L., Cyrus 
A.. Kllis A. and Fred A. George is at present re- 
siding at Wasepi, as is also bis brother Charles 
A.; Harvey D. is living in the .State of New York; 
Cyrus is at Three liivers; and Ellis is living at 
Howard City, in this State. Celia is happily mar- 
ried to W. W. Howell, of Jackson, .Mich.; Fred 
still lives in Nottawa upon the home farm. 

The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Palmer was 
celebrated on the 17tli of September. 1887. at which 
a large number of relatives and friends were pres- 
ent, as he is known throughout the county, and re- 
spected by all. Practically, he has grown u|) with 
the country. He \v.is preferred always to give his 



r 



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22 4 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



f- 



attention to liis own farming an(J other business, 
and lias not cared to enter the lists in the political 
.arena. He has nsually voted the Republican ticket, 
of wiiieh party he has been a member for over fifty 
years. When a 3-ounger man he was somewhat act- 
ive in its campaigns, although not otherwise tak- 
ing any special part. His character is such as to 
commend itself to all, and in consequencehe receives 
that peculiar regard which amounts almost to ven- 
eration that is given to those so long identified with 
one community. His wife is also worthy in every 
way, and is the recipient of the same respect as her 
husband, and holds a high place in the regard of 
her friends and neighbors, as was expressed at the 
recent happy gathering referred to above. Mr. 
Palmer is living on 160 .acres of land he entered 
from the Government under President Jackson, 
fiom which he has never moved, perhaps the only 
one in his township. 



— — ♦|-^1<J-|«'^— 



\t 



f 



OHN CATTELL, a late resident of Leonidas 
Township, and a man held in high esteem 
by all who knew him, was born in Somerset- 
shire, England. Feb. 12. 1833, and emigrated 
to America in 185G, accompanied by his mother 
and the younger members of the family, joining 
the father, "William Cattell. who had crossed the 
Atlantic the previous spring. 

William Cattell came to this country in company 
with his son Charles in the spring of 1856, and was 
joined by his wife and the balance of his family in 
November following, with the exception of Emma 
and William, who had settled in the northern part of 
this county some time before. Here the parents of 
our subject spent the remainder of tiieir lives, the 
father carrying on farming successfully and enjoy- 
ing in a marked degree the esteem and confidence 
of his fellow-citizens. He also was a native of 
Somersetshire, England, born in the parish of Oak, 
May 5, 1801, and married Miss Anna Totterdall, a 
native of his own county, born in the parish of 
Westhatch, April 14, 1800, and, like himself, of 
an excellent famil3-. Thej' became the parents 
of nine children, four sons and five daughters, who 
were named respectively : William, Betsej-, John, 



Emma M.. Charles. Addie. Alfred, Jessie and Lucy. 
.Seven of these are living. 

Our subject lived with his parents in Nottaway 
Township some years after coming to this county, 
and then, being of an enterprising disposition, and 
being desirous of doing for himself, he rented a 
tract of land in Burr Oak Township, which he op- 
erated successfully until the spring of 1864. He 
had in the meantime been married, and now re- 
moved with his wife and child to Leonidas Town- 
ship, settling upon his own laud, which was then in 
an unimproved condition. His labors met with the 
legitimate reward of industry and perseverance, 
and in the course of time he had surrounded him- 
self and his little family with all the comforts of 
modern life. His farm comprised 200 acres on sec- 
tion 29, where he erected good buildings and 
brought the soil to a thorough state of cultivation. 
He provided himself with the most approved ma- 
ehinerj', kept a goodly' assortment of live stock, 
and bore the reputation of a progressive, liberal- 
minded and public-spirited citizen. His death, 
which was a source of regret to the entire com- 
munity, took place on the 11th of January, 1888. 
He left to his heirs a fine estate, including 200 acres 
of laud and valuable personal property. 

Mr. Cattell suffered a long and painful illness, 
being afflicted with Bright's disease, and which he 
bore with true Christian fortitude. He was a firm 
believer in the principles of the Christian religion, 
although not identified with anj' religious organiza- 
tion. He made it the rule of his life to do unto 
others as he would be done b}', and was pos-sessed 
by that kind, charitable and hospitable spirit which 
was ever ready to bestow benefits both upon friends 
and strangers. By his children and all who knew 
him his name is held in most tender remembrance. 
After becoming a naturalized citizen he identified 
himself with the Democratic partj' until the last 
ten years, when he became a Republican. He was 
a stanch supporter of Union principles during the 
Civil War, and gave of his means and influence both 
to this and all other measures that should result in 
benefit to his fellow-beings. 

Mr. Cattell at his death left a devoted wife and 

two children, the former of whom in her girlhood 

days Miss Amanda E. Engle, was the daughter of 

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ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



225 



one of the first families to settle in St. Joseph 
County. Her father, James Engle, a native of Liv- 
ingston Countj-, N. Y., was born May 16, 1815, 
and was a youth of sixteen years when he came 
to this region, as early as 1830, during the Terri- 
torial days. He married Miss Margaret Vincent, 
who was born Dec. 19, 1818, in Purnielia, Jefferson 
Co., Js'. Y.. and who came with her parents to 
Michigan in the year 1836. After marriage thej- 
settled in Burr Oak Township, of which the}' were 
residents from that time on. The mother departed 
this life on the 6th of December, 1880, and the 
father is still living at the old homestead. Their 
faniil}' included two sons and six daughters, and 
only four of the children lived to mature years, 
namely : Amanda E., Ursula E., George D. and 
Addie B. 

Mrs. Amanda E. Cattell was born in Burr Oak 
Township, this county, Jan. 31, 1842, and remained 
a member of her father's household until her mar- 
riage, on the 25th of November, 1862, when she was 
nearly twentj'-one years old. Of this congenial 
union there were born two daughters — Dora E. and 
Rachel A. The former is the wife of Charles P. 
Monfort. and, with her husband, is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Rachel, who is fa- 
miliarly known as Radie, continues at home with 
her mother, and they are members of the Congre- 
gational Church. Both daughters are possessed of 
more than ordinarj' musical talent, and have been 
engaged in teaching considerably. They are favor- 
ites in the social circle of Leonidas Township, where 
they have a large number of acquaintances and 
friends. The family is widely known and highly' 
respected throughout this part of the county, and 
in the death of John Cattell Leonidas Township 
lost one of its most useful men, one who had con- 
tributed largely toward its growth and development. 

f]_^ ERMAN DAVIS. The Davis homestejid. em- 
briicing 105 acres of good land, is pleas- 
^ antl}' located on section 19, and attracts the 
attention of the passer-by on account of the 
air of thrift and comfort which surrounds it. The 
present proprietor, who has been a resident of Colon 




Township since the spring of 1865, during his 
twentj' 3'ears' residence in this section has earned 
the reputation of a praiseworthy and reliable citi- 
zen, one whom his neighbors hold iu high esteem. 

This branch of the Davis family for some genera- 
tions back has been widely and favorably known 
throughout the Empire State. Horace Davis, the 
father of our subject, was born in Onondaga County, 
N. Y., which it is supposed was also the birth pl.ace 
of the mother, who in her girlhood was jNIiss Eliza 
Gardner. They lived there for a time after their 
marriage, then removed to Ashtabula County, Ohio, 
whence in 1858 they came to Michigan. At once 
taking up their residence in Colon Township, this 
count}', they lived and labored on the tract of land 
from which the father built up a good homestead, 
and where his death took place in 1868. The 
mother is still living, being now at an adv.anced 
age, and cared for by her children. 

The six children of the parental household in- 
cluded three sons and three daughters, and Herman 
of our sketch was the third in order of birth. He 
first opened his eyes to the light near the town of 
Marcellus, Onondaga Co., N. Y., April 4, 1828. 
All of his brothers and sisters lived to mature 
years, and all survive but one. Herman contin- 
ued a member of the parental household until 
about twenty -one years of age, then started out for 
himself, and began to make arrangements for the es- 
tablishment of a home of his own. He first em. 
ployed himself at farming, and continued a resident 
of his native count}- until 1865. In the meantime 
he was married, July 24, 1852, to Miss Emily, 
daughter of Sturgis and Mary (Burr) Sherwood, 
the former a native of Connecticut and the Latter of 
New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood spent 
the whole of their married life in Onondaga County, 
N. Y., and their last years in the town of Otisco, 
where the mother died in 1855 and the father in 
1861. 

In the spring of 1865. Herman Davis, having 
disposed of his property in the Empire State, 
gathered together his personal effects and his 
famil)', consisting of his wife and four children, 
.and coming to this county settled in Colon Town- 
ship. He first purchased eighty-five acres of land, 
and set himself vigorously to work to cultiv.ate the 



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220 



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ST. .JOSEPH COUNTY. 



soil and l)iiild up a homestead. Later lie added 
twenty acres to his first purchase, and has brought 
the whole to a fine state of cultiv.ition, at the same 
time investing his spare capital in the neat and sub- 
stantial farm buildings which are foremost among 
the attractive features of the estate. 

Mrs. Davis was the seventh of her parents' family 
of eight children, and was born in Otisco. N. Y., 
Feb. 11, 1826. She received excellent home training 
and a common-school educ.ition, and continued un- 
der the parental roof until her marriage. Of her 
union with our subject there have been born six 
children, of whom but four are living: George, 
the eldest, is carrying on farming successfulh" 
in Nottawa Township, this county; Addie is the 
wife of William Il.azzard, who is engaged in teach- 
ing school in Nebraska; Minnie continues .at home 
with her parents; Carrie is the wife of D.ayton llig- 
gins, of Mason County. The deceased arc Annie and 
Frankie. The former died when an interesting young 
lady of twenty-three years of age; Frankie was 
taken from the home circle when a little lad of two 
years. The wife of our subject, a most excellent 
lady, h.is been in delicate health for some time. 

Mr. Davis is a cordial supporter of Repub- 
lican principles. lie is a man quiet and unostenta- 
tious in m.anner, and has carefully avoided the re- 
sponsibilities of the oftice-holder. although in 
former years he occupied various positions of trust 
in his township. 



^HKO M. SCOVILLK.an .aged .and highly re- 
spected resident of Constantine, was born in 
Collinsville, Lewis Co., N. Y..,Tune 5, 1809. 
lie was reared to manhood on a farm, and has made 
agriculture the chief business of his life. When 
establishing a home of his own he was married at 
Russia, Herkimer Co., N. Y., March 1, 1840, to 
Miss Lucinda I'lieljis. This lady was born in 
Sempronius, Cayuga Co., N. Y.. April 14, 1817. 

Mr. and Mrs. .Scoville after their marriage settled 
in Collinsville. N. Y.. where they lived until 1847, 
then changed their residence to Conneautville, 
Crawford Co., Pa., where they lived until coming 
to the West. They had not then decided upon a 




location, and Mr. Scoville spent some time visiting 
various localities, but finall}' decided to locate in 
Ovid, this State, where he made his home several 
_years. Thence they removed to .St. John's, and two 
years later to St. Louis, this State, abiding in the 
latter place a period of ten years. In the fall of 
1888 the f.amily came to Constantine. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Scoville there 
have been born five children: The eldest, a 
daughter, Fannie, is the wife of M. C. Lapp, of 
Jackson; Benton H. is engaged in the practice of 
law in Constantine; Bela P. is one of the physicians 
of Constantine. and of wiiom a sketch appears else- 
where in this volume; Jessie is the wife of George 
Dutch, of Constantine: Carrie. Mrs. II. W. Woodin. 
is a resident of St. Louis. Mich. Mr. .Scoville lias 
seen much of life in the pioneer days of Michigan, 
and although having been content to m.akc very little 
stir in the world, has sustained the reputation of a 
peaceful and law-abiding citizen, one whose career 
has been that of which his children will never be 
ashamed. 

ENOCH WARF. This gentleman is numbered 
among the younger farmers of Colon Town- 
,- ship, of which he is a native, and is prose- 

cuting agriculture in a highly successful manner. 
He ^i-st purchased fort^' acres in 1 883, and since 
that time has given his close attention to the care- 
ful cultivation of the soil and the building up of 
his homestead. He labors upon the theory of the 
late Horace Grcele}-, that a small farm well tilled 
is more desirable than a large area partially- neg- 
lected. He commenced early in life to la^' his plans 
for the future, and is already ranked among the 
solid and responsible citizens of .*>t. Joseph County. 

Daniel Ware, the father of our subject, and his 
wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Bulin, were 
natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and after their 
marriiige settled in Miffiin County, Pa. Twoj'ears 
later they came to Michigan, taking up their resi- 
dence in Colon Township, this county, about 1862. 
The father purchased forty five acres on section 
26, where he built up a Comfortable home, and 
where he and his estimable wife still live. 

The parental family of our subject included four 



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ST. .lOSEl'M COUNTY. 



227 



fliildren, two sons and two (laiijriitcrs. Of these 
Enoch wns the thiiil in orilor of l)iith, nnd wa.sliorn 
Aui,'. 21), 18(J2, at the honieslcad which liis parents 
still otcu|)y in Coh>n Township, lie was reared to 
farm pursuits, and educated in the tlislriet school. 
lie was married at the age of twenty 3'ears, Dec. 7. 
18S2, in Colon Township, to Miss Ada. daugliler of 
Antlrew and Mary J. (Snook) Snook, who were na- 
tives of MilHin County, I'a., where tiiey lived until 
after their marriage. Mr. Snook during the late 
war enlisted as a L'nion soldier fiom Mifllin Ct)unt3', 
and met his death on the liattle-field of Petersburg. 
The mother came to Michigan ahoul 18()7,anil was 
snlisequently married to Daniel Wagner, a native 
of Pennsylvania. They became the parents of one 
child, a daughter, Ada, the wife of our subject. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Ware there have been born two 
"hildrcn — Lester A. and Louisa V. Mr. Ware, po- 
litically, supports the Republican party, and ha.s 
serveil as llighwaj' Commissioner in his district for 
some time. His residence and other farm build- 
ings are creilitalile alike to his taste and industry, 
and the whole forms a picture of the complete rural 
home, whose beneficiaries are surrounded by all the 
c(jm forts of life. 

^^ --^ 



\«>«^AV11) IIAXDSIIAW. of Nottawa Towii- 
'' ^'' ship, is of stanch Penns3'lvania stock, the 




son of Peter .and Ann (Kleckner) lland- 
sh.aw, who were natives of Northampton 
County. I'a, There they were also reared and 
married, and lived there for a time afterward. 
Tlience they removed to Columbia County, and 
afterward to Montour County. In the spring of 
1 «(!.>, leaving the Keystone State, they came to 
-Michigan and settled in Mendon Township, this 
county. Later they removed to Lockport Town- 
ship, where the father died in 1873. The mother 
is still living at .an .advanced age. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
eight children, of whom David w.as the eldest. lie 
is also a native of Northampton County. Pa., and 
was born .Ian. 4. \M0. When a Ijoy of eight or 
nine vears he made a triji on the Delaware Canal 
from Kaston to Philailelphin. and a year later he 



left home, starting out in the world for himself. 
He worked on a farm in his native county, where 
he grew to manhood, and of which he was a resi- 
dent until the fall of 18IH. Then going into Co- 
lumbi.'i County he wjis employed in a stone quarry 
until changing his residence to -Montour County. 
In the latter he learned the trade of Idacksmith. 
at which he worked three years, and then abandoned 
it on account of an injury to his shoulder. 

On the 2Gth of Augu.st. 1852, Mr. Ilandshaw w.as 
married to .Mi.-is Catherine Fry. This lady was 
born in Columbia County, Pa., Nov. 14. 1827. 
The young (X'ople spent that winter in their native 
.State, but in the spring of 18.").'} removed to Sum- 
mit County, (Jhio, where they lived until the latter 
part of August, our subject employing himself at 
blacksmitiiing. His desires, however, were for 
farm life, but land being at a high price in the 
Buckeye St.ate he found that, with his limited means, 
he would be obliged to go further West. He ac- 
cordingly emigrated to Lee County, 111., and pur- 
cli.'used a tr.act of pruirie. upon which he farmed 
until the 1st of March. 18.).j. Then selling out he 
came to this county and purchased a farm in Park 
Township, where he continued to live until the 
spring of 18(51. He then changed his residence to 
Nottawa Township, taking possession of the land 
which he now owns and occui)ies. 

.Soon after making settlement here the outbreak 
of the Civil War stimulated the inborn patriotism 
of Mr. Ilandshaw, but although greatly desirous 
of enlisting in the l'nion .service, circumstances 
prevented. Two years later, however, he liire<l a 
substitute, paying therefor ^1.000. In the mean- 
time -Mr. Ilandshaw busied himself with his farm- 
ing pursuits, and in due time became the owner of 
200 acres of land l3-ingaU»ng the north banks of the 
.St. Joseph Uiver. In 187.") he erected a line brick 
residence and has made other valuable injprove- 
ments. He also ojx'rated a threshing-machine about 
twenty-live years in this county, having had consid- 
erable ex|)erience in this line both in Pennsyl- 
vania and Illinois, and being very successful. 

Both Mr. and -Mrs. Ilandshaw arc charter mem- 
bers of Parkville Grange, Lodge No. 22, in which 
they take an active interest, and in which Mr. II. 
Ii.is held many of the imjiortant otlices. including 



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228 



t 



ST. .lOSEPIl COUNTY. 




•► m ^ 



those of Lecturer. Master. Overseer and Chaplain. 
In the M.isouic fraternity he is a ineuiber of Blue 
Lodge No. 36, of Mendon. Both he and his ex- 
cellent wife belong to the Presbyterian Church, in 
which Mr. IL h.as been for many years a Deacon 
and Trustee. He is a strong- temperance man, 
warmly interested in the success of the cause. 

HARLES H. McKINSTER is one of the lead- 
ing citizens of Colon, and is also one of its 
?' most prominent business men. being a mem- 
ber of the firm of Wilkinson & Co., dealers in 
drugs and groceries. He is a native of New York, 
born in 1848, the elder of the two children born 
to Thomas and Mahala (Wilkinson) McKinster, na- 
tives of New York. The}' came to Michigan when 
our subject was five years old, and settled in Colon 
Village, where the father followed his trade of 
cooper for twenty years. He then moved onto a 
farm in this county, and continued to reside thereon 
until his death, whicii occnrre<l in 1876, when he 
was about fifty -six years old. This county was then 
deprived of one of its worthiest citizens, one who 
had ever led an upright life, and who stood high in 
the community where he dwelt. His excellent wife 
survived him until 1882, when she too p.-issed aw.iy, 
at the age of fifty-five. She had a brother who 
served in the Mexican War, and now resides in 
Rochester, N. Y. 

Charles McKinster was reared in Colon, receiv- 
ing from his good parents a careful training that 
well fitted him for the duties of life that have since 
devolved upon him as a man and .is a citizen. He 
acquired a sound education in the graded school 
of Colon, and after the completion of his education 
he left the home of his parents, and making his 
way to Northern Michigan, found employment in 
a cooper factor}- there. He subsequently entered 
the profession of teacher, and was Principal of the 
Colon public school for nearly two years, entering 
earnestly and with great interest into his duties as 
instructor, meeting with marked success, and gain- 
ing high rank among those of the profession in St. 
Joseph County. During this time he also held his 
present partnership, and at length the demands of 



his business were such that lie gave up teaching to 
devote his whole attention to his mercantile pur- 
suits. The firm has a neat and attractive store, 
carries a large and well-selected stock, and has an 
extensive trade. 

Mr. McKinster was married in 1874, in Gales- 
burg, Mich., to Miss Evaliue L. Davis, and to her 
devotion and sympathy he undoubtedly owes much 
of his success in life. She is a native of Michigan, 
born in 1855. the eldest in the family of four chil- 
dren of William C. and Antoinette (Lyon) Davis, 
early settlers of St. Joseph County. Her parents 
reside at Leonidas. where for many j-ears her father 
was engaged as a w.agon-m.aker. After marriage Mr. 
McKinster remained one year in Northern Michi- 
gan, and then returned to Colon, and eng.aged in 
business .as before mentioned. He is a wide-awake 
business man, prompt and honorable in his deal- 
ings, genial and entertaining in his intercourse with 
others. He stands higii in mercantile and social 
circles of St. Joseph County, and is very influen- 
tial in the administration of the public affairs of 
this community, being at present Township Treas- 
urer of Colon Township, and is also a member of 
the School Board. He is prominently identified 
with the A. F. & A. M.. was Secretary for a num- 
ber of years, is a member of the Chapter and pres- 
ent Secretar}' thereof. He Lakes a deep interest in 
politics, and alRliates with the Republican part}'. 

In the pleasant home of our subject and his ami- 
able wife five children have been born to them, 
three of whom are living — Fred E., Edna G. and 
an infant. Fred is an attendant at one of the ex- 
cellent schools of Colon. Nellie died in 1882, when 
near!}' five years of age; Ned died in 1886, when 
nearly six months old. 

t> ••J»sa>-«^^<5,r-- * 




FRANCISCO KLADY, a native of this county, 
was born in Nottawa Township, of which 
he is still a resident, March 12. 1841. Michi- 
gan hiid then been a State l)ut a little over four 
years, and ihe boyhood days of our subject were 
spent amid the scenes of pioneer life, and while he 
was being transformed from a boy to a man his 
native State was also growing in like proportion. 



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ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



229 






The si't'iios which he has witnessed as the counliy 
slowly settled up. and civilization hegan to plant 
its footsteps more decidedly ujwn the soil of Sonth- 
ern .Michigan, if pn>perl_v set forth in print would 
make a fair sized volume. 

Mr. Klady has been of a thoughtful and observ- 
ant mind from his 3'outh up, and has kept his eyes 
open to what was going on in the wor|d around 
him. lie was traine<l to habits of industry, given 
a practical education, and entered upon the strug- 
gle of life well equipped to meet the dilliculties 
which are the common lot of everj- man. His la- 
bors have been amply rewanled. he being now the 
owner of a good property embracing a farm 120 
acres in extent, with substantial buildings and the 
greater part of the land in a productive condition. 
He is, in fact, surrounded by all the comforts of 
life. 

William Klady. the father of our subject, was born 
in Montezuma, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Aug. 20, 1810, 
and married Miss Nanc\' Knickerbocker, a native of 
Dutchess County, the same State, and born March 
17, 1800. The parents were residents for a time 
of Cattaraugus County, but about 1831 left the 
Empire State with their little family-, an<l settled in 
Xottawa Township, this county, where the father 
began to battle with the elements of a new soil, and 
in common with his brother pioneers, labored in the 
development of a homestead. Here both parents 
spent the remainder of their lives. The father died 
Jan. 2, 187.5; the mother survived her husband a 
period of over thirteen years, her death taking 
place Sept. 23. I8Kri. 

To William and Nancy Klady there were born 
six chililren, of whom our subject was the fourth, 
anil all born in Michigan. He received his educa- 
tion in the district school, and remained a member 
of the parental household until a young man (tf 
twenty years, anticipating the time when he should 
have a farm of his own. The outbreak of the Civil 
War. however, drew his thoughts into another cur- 
rent, an<l on the 24lh of Augu.st, 1 8t;i, a few months 
after the rebel attack upon Ft. Sumter, he hastened 
to the defense of the Union, eidisting in Company 
A. I I til .Michigan Infantry. lie was mustered into 
service at While I'igeon, Mich., going with his 
regiment shortly after to Louisville. It was his lot 



to participate in many of the important battles of 
the war, namely: .Stone River, Chickamauga. Look- 
out Mountain, Missionary Hi<lge, Hnzzard's Koost, 
Resaca, Kenesaw .Mountain, and other minor en- 
gagements and skirmishes. 

Young Klady in the spring of 1 862, a few months 
after his enlistment, w:is taken seriously ill and con- 
fined in the hospital at Belmont Furnace, Ky., for 
a time, when he was given a furlough, and return- 
ing home spent about ten weeks under the old roof 
tree, and under the excellent care of his friends 
recovered his health and strength. He then re- 
joined his regiment at Louisville, Ky. In the 
winter of 1863-G4 he was detailed .as an Orderly 
at post heailquartcrs in the vicinity of Rossville 
Gap, Ga. The hardships and privations which he 
endured, the weary marchings and the exposure, 
arc but the simple story of thousands of his com- 
rades, and form a part of American history which 
will always stand out prominently among the Na- 
tional records. At the expiration of his term of 
enlistment Mr. Klady was mustered out at Sturgis. 
Mich., and returning toNottawa Township resumed 
the peaceful pursuits of farm life. He was broken 
down in health, and it has taken years to restore 
him to his former vigor, which even ncjw bears no 
comparison to that of his youthful days. He went 
into the fight conscientiously, nml no man, hearing 
of the surrender of Lee at Apponi.atox, rejoiced 
more heartily at the success of the Union Armies. 

During his early manhood Mr. Klady had learned 
the trade of a cabinet-n)aker, but onlv followed 
this one and one-half years prior to his eidistment. 
On the 20th of September. 1805, having l.'iid his 
plans for a home of his own, he was united in 
marriage to one of the most estimable young lailies 
of this county. Miss Elizabeth McKercher. and the 
young people commenced the journey of life to- 
gether at a modest home in Nottawa Township. 
They settled upon their present farm in 1805, and 
upon this .Mr. K. has effected all the improvements 
which to-day attract the attention of the passer-by 
as indicative of the han<l of thrift and industry. 

Mrs. Klady, the third child of her parents, was 
born in Moscow Town.^hip, Hillsdale County, this 
SUte. April 14. 1810, and is the daughter of John 
and .Margaret (Dunn) McKercher, who were na- 



A. 



no 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



i= 



lives respectively of New York State and Pennsyl- 
vania. In 1838 they removed from Living.ston 
County, N. Y., to Hillsdale^County, Mich., settling 
in Moscow Township, where the father began the 
(leveK)pnient of a homestead, but only lived eight 
years thereafter, his decease occurring Oct. 8, 1846, 
when he was in the prime of life. The mother was 
subsequently married to John C. McKercher, a 
cousin of her former husband, and then coming to 
this county in the fall of 1854. settled in Nottawa 
Township, where her death took place Oct. 12, 
187:3. 

To the parents of Mrs. Klady there were born six 
cliilihcii. four of whom are living. Mrs. K. re- 
mained under the home roof during her childhood 
and youth, receiving a common-school education 
and becoming thoroughly versed in those householil 
duties a knowledge of which has so much to do 
with tlie happiness and comfort of a home. She 
lias been the suitable companion of her husband in 
Ills worthy efforts all through life, and has done her 
share in making her home one of the pleasantest 
places to be found. Mr. Klady, politically, is a 
stanch Republican. lie keeps himself posted in re- 
ganl to current events, and socially, belongs to David 
Oaks Post No. 135, G. A. R.. at Centre ville. Mr. and 
Mrs. Klady are the parents of two cliildren — Flor- 
ence and Williani. 



KV. ALPIIEIS WISNEH. This gentle- 
man, well known in the county and needing 
no introduction to the reader, w.is born in 
J^Newfane. Niagara Co.. N. Y.. on the 5tli 
of February, 1825. Upon the removal of his par- 
ents to Lenawee County in this State in the year 
1832. he continued with them at their new home in 
Franklin Township. Our subject is the son of 
Alualiam and Leah Wisner, who were natives of 
Now York, .\fter their niarri.age they settled in 
NiauaiM County, N. V. The}' were the parents of 
fourteen children, our subject being tlic second. 

Until he attained to manhood our subject con- 
tinued to reside as above, receiving his ethication 
in the schools of Franklin Township, afterward 
engaging in farming. 




In the year 1850 he went to 



Athens, Calhoun County, where he passed through 
both the primary and select schools. School days 
over he engaged in farming, and continued thus 
emploj'ed until the year 1850. when he became the 
p.nstor of the Athens IJajjtist Church. He contin- 
ued in charge of this congregation for six years, 
and then commenced preaching in South Climax, 
Kalamazoo County, where he continued preaching 
for twent3--two 3-ears. lie has resided in Leonid.as 
ever since resigning his charge in Kalamazoo 
County. He ministered to the Baptist Church in 
Branch County for eight years. During that time 
he was settled in Leonidas Township. Since resign- 
ing his charge at Johnson he has not been actively 
engaged in the ministry, and gives his attention to 
his farm. It is 150 .acres in extent. 

In Franklin Township. Len.awee County, our 
subject was united in m.arriage with Miss Juliette 
Morrow, a lady in every waj- suited to him. one 
capable of lilling the position of a true helpmate 
to one so fully occupied and earnestly engaged in 
the work of the ministry. She was born in Black 
Rock. Erie Co.. N. Y.. Jan. 12, 1827. iind is the 
daughter of Alexander and Mariah Morrow, of 
Len.awee County. Mich. The felicity of the wed- 
ded life of our suljject and wife lias been deepened 
by the birth of their seven children, whose names 
are recorded as follows: Jfary A.. .Sarah M., Amelia 
C , Robert P.. Abram C, Edna E. and Charles A. 

Upon three different occasions our subject has 
been elected Justice of the Peace, and as often did 
lie decline to serve, feeling tli.at it was impossible 
for him properly to do so. His political sentiments 
are symphonious with those of tlie Republican 
party, with which he has been in heartiest accord. 
He has done much to promote its interests in the 
districts of which he h.as been a resident, and 
largely assistetl in the organization thereof in this 
State. 

In his ministerial career .Mr. Wisner has officiated 
.at over 500 funerals, and h.as been called upon to- 
unite in wedlock more than 200 couples. As a 
preacher he used the langu.age of the people, was 
happy in the selection of forceful illustrations, plain 
in argument and of good delivery, which m.ay 
possibly account for the unusual Icngtli of time of 
his ministry at South Climax. He enjoys a very 



m»- 



►-1^4^ 



ST. .lOSKl'lI COUNTY. 



231 ' fl 



fiiio reputatidii as a man. and it* everywlicre very 
miicli rospecteil. He is no loss aMo in tlie lius- 
bandi y of the fields, and in tliat of a more spiritual 
iialiMc. liavinir tliorousrlily iml>ilifd tlio ]>rincipl('s 
anil lii'comc perfect in the pnictiee liefore studying 
for the ministry. This his farm reveals at a glance. 
It is as well cvdtivatcd and admiralily kept, as fer- 
tile and productive, as any in the disti-ict. Mr. 
Wisner enlisted March 27, 18G."), in tlie late war. in 
Company C. 20th Michiiran Infantry. an<l served 
three months. lie was elected Chaplain of the 
regiment shortly after enlisting, and served as such 
durinff his term of service. 



J'^ OlIN BUWEK. a familiar figure among the 
I people of Colon Township, is the third son 
, of J(jhn and Diana (Gcihart) Bower, and 
' was horn in Bristol Hill, Monroe Co.. N. Y., 
.Inly 4. 1824. When a boy of twelve years he carae 
with his parents to this county, and lived with them 
iu Xottawa Township until a youth of nineteen, 
Subsequently he made his home in Colon Township 
with his uncle. Adam Bower, for a period of six 
years. He then returned to his native .State, and 
for twelve years thereafter lived upon a farm in the 
vicinity of Sprinnport, and gave his attention to 
agricultural pursuits, which has been the business 
of his life. Krora Springport our subject removed 
to the vicinity of Fleming, N. Y., where he so- 
journed about eight years. In the fall of 1»69 he 
returned to Michigan and purchaseil eighty acres 
of land on section 5, in Colon Township, where he 
has since lived. 

John Bower, Sr.. the father of our subject, was 
born in Cayuga County, N. Y.. while his mother 
was a native of Livingston County, that State. 
They were married and settled in the latter county, 
living there until their removal to (Jenesee Count}'. 
A few years later they changed their residence once 
more, and for a brief time made their home in Mon- 
roe County, N. Y. In 183(5 tliej- niigraletl to the 
Territory of Michigan, and located in Nottawa 
Township, this county, where the death of the 
mother look place four years later, in the year 1840. 

'I'lie f.illur of our subject, after the death of his 



wife, removed to Mendou, where he lived for a 
period of (iftecn years, iind rested from his earthly 
labors Sept. 15, 1855. The parental household in- 
cluded seven children, all of whom are living and 
residents mostly of this county. John, our subject, 
was married rather late in life, in Fleming, Cayuga 
Co., N. Y.. March 19, 18C8. to Miss Kliza A.,<laugh- 
ter of Isaac and .Martha (Chase) Mosher. who were 
natives of Vermont. Mr. and .Mrs. M. after their 
marriage continued resi<lents of liie (ireen Mount- 
ain State until their removal to Scipio, Cayuga 
Co., N. Y., about 1859. From there they subse- 
quently changed their residence to Fleming. Their 
family included six children, four of whom are now 
living. 

Mrs. Bower was the youngest child of her par- 
ents, and was born in Fleming, Cayuga Co., jS. Y., 
March 11, 1832. She was reared to womanhood in 
her native township, and received her education in 
its common schools. Of her union with our sub- 
ject there have been born two children, George M. 
and Louisa, the latter of whom died when a child 
of eleven years. Their son is living in Colon 
Township. Mr. Boyer cast his first Presidential 
vote for Tyler. an<l thereafter continued a number 
of years with the Uepublican party. About 187C 
he iilentiBe<l himself with the Greenbackers. and 
supports its principles with the natural courage and 
decision of his character. He has served as .School 
Director in his district, and discharged the duties 
of the various other minor ollices of his township. 
Both he and his excellent wife are members of the 
Grange, and in society hold a good position among 
the best citizens of an intelligent community. 



^ 



-^^-B-- 



KNRY KLINIC. a lifehmg farmer and a resi- 
dent of Nottawa Township, has eighty acres 
of valuable land on section 35. a part of his 
father's old homestead, where he has been 
carrying on agriculture successfully for a period 
of sixteen years. A native of the Keystone State. 
he was born in .Snyder County, .Ian. 3, 1847, and 
when a lad eight years of age en me to this county 
with his parents, where he grew to man's esUle, 
acquiring a common-school education. 



••^^f::^ 



^^^Jh^ 



4= 




232 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



The parents of our subject. Michael and Eliza- 
beth (Speigelmeyer) Kline, were also natives of 
Snyder County, Pa., wiiere they spent the earlier 
years of their lives and were married. About 1855 
they migrated to Michigan, settling in Nottawa 
Tovvnsliip, this county, where thej- spent the re- 
mainder of their lives. The household circle con- 
sisted of five children, all of whom lived to mature 
years, namely : Reuben, Samuel, Jeremiah, Henrj' 
and Aaron. The latter died when a young man. 
On the 27th of September, 1870, our subject was 
united in marriage, at Mendon. with a very estima- 
ble la<ly. Miss Mary M., daugiiter of William C. 
and Matilda (Aigler) Kline. The parents of Mrs. 
K. were also natives of Snj'der County, Pa., where 
they were reared and married, and whence they 
came to this county in 1863, settling in Sherman 
Township, where they still reside. Their family 
consisted of five children. 

Mrs. Kline is a native of the same county' .as 
her husband and parents, and was born Sept. 28, 
1851. She received careful home training and a 
fair education in the common school, and with her 
husband is a member in good standing of the Lu- 
theran Evangelical Church. She is a very pleasant 
and amiable lady, and has hosts of friends in this 
vicinit}'. Of her union with Mr. Kline there have 
been born three children, two sons and a daughter, 
namely: Lawrence A., aged seventeen j'ears. Myrtle 
E.. eight, and Vance L., six. Mr. K., politically-' 
votes the Republican ticket, and has held the office 
of School Director in his district. 



••^»t> 



-M^ 



-►>tfi*S> 




EV. T. J. BACIIER, minister of the Re- 
formed Church of the United States, and 
located at Nollawa, is a most faithful and 
^'^ efficient minister, and a man of more than 
ordinary capacities mentally, of excellent educa- 
tion, and thoroughly well informed in matters per- 
taining to the duties of his calling. A native of 
Tiffin, Ohio, he was born Aug. 15, 1850, and is the 
son tif Jacob T. Bacher, who. with his wife, Mrs. 
Eliza (Rinker) Bacher, was a native of Allentown, 
Pa. The father is a tailor bj' trade, and is still liv- 



ing, making his home at Cincinnati, Ohio. The 
mother departed this life at Tiffin, Ohio, in August, 
1881. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
seven children, five o^ whom are living. Theodore 
J., a'native of TiHin.Ohio, was the second cliild, and 
grew to manhood in liis native town, pursuing his 
firststudies in the common schools, and later becom- 
ing a student of Heidelberg College in Tiffin, from 
which he was graduated in the classical course with 
honors. He entered the Theological Seminary at 
Tiffin, and when completing his studies there was 
assigned as his first charge to Fremont, Ohio, be- 
ing the pastor of the Reformed Church in th.at city 
a period of three 3'pars. He then withdrew to ac- 
cept a call to the Reformed Church at Massillon, in 
the same State, where he remained three years, then 
changed his residence to Wooster, Ohio, becoming 
pastor of the Reformed Church of the United States 
at that place, remaining there also three years. 

About 1883 Mr. Bacher was appointed a mission- 
ary to the cit}^ of Et. W.ayne, Ind., in the interests 
of the English Reformed Church. He was instru- 
mental in the organization of Grace Reformed 
Cliurch of that cit3\ which now embraces a large 
membership. He resided there five years, and ac- 
quired church property to the value of §7..")00. After 
five years' residence in Ft. Wayne, he resigned 
his charge, and coming to this county, purchased a 
fine farm along the southern line of Nottawa Town- 
ship, in the cultivation and improvement of which 
he has since been vigorously engaged, although he 
still labors in the Master's vineyard as before. He 
has a handsome residence with attractive surround- 
ings, and numbers bis friends by the score in this 
count3'. As a pulpit orator he is an able expounder 
of Scripture, clear and forcible in his arguments, 
and invariably commands good audiences. Politi- 
call}', he is the advocate of Republican principles, 
and keeps himself well posted upon State and Na- 
tional events. 

Mr. Bacher was married in Sycamore. Ohio. M.av 
6, 1873, to Miss Minerva, daughter of George and 
ttl&ry C. Taylor, of .Sycanioi'e, and who w.as born 
there April 1 7, 1 850. The parents of Mrs. Baclierare 
now living in Sycamore, Ohio. To our subject and 
his estimable wife there were born three chihlren, 

■» 



a. 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



■*► 



233 



one of whom, Thomas A., luct with an accident 
while attending school which resulted in his death, 
Feb. 20. 1884, when he was nine years old. The 
other two sons, Uidgely T. and Theo A., are at 
home with their parents. 

WILLIAM r. C ll.VriN. well known through- 
out Jlcndon Townfihip and vicinity, is a 
^ „ native of Burr Oak Township, this county, 
and was born Sept. 23, 1860. lie is a lifelong 
farmer, liaving spent his boyhood ami<l the quiet 
pursuits of country- life, and acquired his education 
in the district school. He lived at the farm with 
ills |)arents until twenty-four years of age, and came 
to Nottawa Township in Septeml>cr, 1881. Prior 
to this, however, he spent a year or so in Kcndall- 
ville, Ind., where he was engaged in the livery 
business. With this small deviation he has carried 
on farming continuously since leaving the old 
iionu'stcad. lie was married in Nottawa Township, 
April 23, 188 L to Miss Jessie A., daughter of 
Mark H. and -Inlia (Anderson) Wakcman. who were 
])i(>iiee|-s of Southern Michigan, and among tlie 
earliest settlers of Nottawa Township. 

To Mr. and Mrs. C'hapin there li.is been ln)rn one 
child only, a daughter. Alice. .March 10. 18«(). 
Little Alice was born in the same room in which 
her mother first opened her eyes to the light, and 
Ihcv were dressed l>y the same woman. Mrs. David 
Hockwell. who is still living, and occupying the 
oldest log house in Nottawa Township, on tlie old 
Mark Wakcman farm. The C'hapin iiomcstead em- 
braces forty-seven acres of finely cultivated land, 
anil our subject is interested' in land elsewhere. 
In poiilical matters he votes the straight Kepublican 
ticket, and socially, belongs to Kendallville Lodge 
No. 3H;. A. F. A' A. M. He is considerably in- 
terested in fine hor.ses but gives mr>st of his at- 
tention to general farming. 

Mrs. C'hapin wiisliorn in Nottawa Townsliip, .May 
G, IHG.T. Her parents h.ad a fanjily of three children. 
The eldest. Annette, is married; John Charles Fre- 
mont is oceupied at a hotel in Mi'iidon. Mark Hoag 
Wakeman. the father of .Mrs. Chapin. was born in 
Bedford. Westchester Co.. N. Y.. in .\ugu.«t. 1799. 



and was the eldest of the sons of the household, 
and the leader in all of their enterprises. When a 
youth of nineteen years, lieing of an adventurous 
disposition, he went south to Savannah. (la., and 
engaged in the wholesale hat and shoe business a 
number of years successfully. Finally selling out he 
made his way. in 1834, to New Orleans, and in 
partnership with one Palms, embarked in the ship 
chandlery business. In 1836 the establishment was 
destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of |;40,0()0. He- 
solving to leave the scene, of his misfortune, Mr. 
Wakeman that same year proceeded north to this 
county, where his l)rolhers h.ad already located, and 
engaged with them in farming awl stock-raising 
extensively, which vocation he followed a pcriwi 
of nearly thirty years and until his death, in June. 
186(;. The late Hiram Wakeman and also Adams 
Wakem.in. were brothers of Mrs. Cliapin's father. 



-^-^^•=^<S=*+^ 



i 



\f OHN C. COOHON, well and favorably known 
throughout the community as an entcr|)ris- 
ing and successful farmer, was born in Cier- 
many on the 27th of February. 1823. lie 
received his education in the schools of that place, 
and subsequently engaged in farming, continuing 
employed thereat until he was about twenty-three 
years of age. He then determined to cross the At- 
lantic, and find out for himself the truth regarding 
the New World, from which had come such reports 
of opportunities to the farmer, and in fact all clas'scs 
of skilled laborers. Landing in New York in 1856, 
he came on almost directl}' to this county, accom- 
panied bj' several who had crossed in the same 
vessel. 

Mr. Coohon speedily found employment as a 
farm han<l at a rate of remuneration that enabled 
him tosave a considerable sum every month. After 
about two years he was enabled to rent land in 
Colon Township, and w.is very prosi)erous in the 
work un<lertaken. At the end of ten years he pur- 
chased forty acres of tluiroiighly good land situateil 
on section 21, Colon Township, and speedily set- 
tlcfl upon it, and from that time until the present 
has dev<jled his best energies to its cultivation and 
constant improvement. .So well his he prospered 



4 234 



■•► 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



that lie now owns 193 acres, lias erected substantial 
farm liiiildings, and lias quite a comfortaMe and 
well-built farm dwelling;. 

The subject of our sketch was united in marriage 
with Miss MenaThromp, who was born in Germany, 
in the year 1830, and is the daughter of Job and 
Christena Thromp. They are the parents of six 
children, whose names arc as follows: William, 
Mena. Mary, Hannah, Chris, and John who died 
when three years of age. William is a farmer in 
Burr Oak Township, and is doing well; Mena is 
now Mrs. Lewe Warkentine, and resides with her 
husband in Sherman Township, where he is engaged 
in farming; Mary is Iiappil3' married to Fred Bor- 
chort, who is a farmer in the same township; the 
two youngest children are still at home. 

Mr. and Mrs. Coohon are members in good stand- 
ing of the German Lutheran Church, with which 
they have always been affiliated. Our subject is not 
prominent in political circles, neither as an office- 
holder; lie usually votes with the Democratic party, 
and is counted among its (inn friends. 



*t 



^LlAS A.NDUKW8. The homestead of the 
g subject of this sketch embraces 150 acres 
!t^ —^! of valuable land, finely located on section 
36," Nottawa Township. I" pon this he has effected 
good improvements, having a substantial dwelling 
with a good barn and outhouses, fruit and shade 
trees, and all the appurtenances of the well-regu- 
lated country estate. Nothing but the hand of 
thrift and industry has brought the property to its 
present condition, and the laliors of Mr. Andrews 
have been ablj- seconded by one of the most estim- 
able and capable of l.idies. who has performed her 
full part in the accumulation of the proi^rtj^ and 
the construction of one of the ple.isantest homes in 
the county. 

Our subject w.ns born in ^ladison County. Ohio, 
Sept. 1. 1819, and is the son of Charles and Polly 
(I'atee) Andrews, who were natives of Connecticut, 
His father died when he was a little lad of five 
years, in Madison County, Ohio, and the mother 
was married a second time. Klias accompanied 
his motlier and stepfather to Michigan about 1831 ; 



they located in Wayne County, where thev resided 
four 3-ears, then coming to this county, in Septem- 
ber, 1835, settled in Nottawa Township, when our 
subject was a youth about sixteen years old. The 
country around was mostlj- a wilderness, and thus 
j'oung Andrews became intimately acquainted with 
pioneer life, its toils and hardships. 

Our subject lived at home until about twenty 
j-ears of age, then repaired to the vicinity of Ionia, 
and made his home with a brother, residing there 
for about two and one-half j-ears. He then re- 
turned to this county, of which he has since been a 
resident. He was first married in Sherman Town- 
ship to Miss Mary Poote, who became the mother of 
two children, JIary J, and Ida E„ and died in 
March. 18(!2. The elder daughter is now the wife 
of William Harding, of Butler. Ind.; Ida E. re- 
mains at the homestead. 

Mrs. Mary M. Chandler became the wife of our 
subject May 25, 18G3, the wedding taking place 
in Chicago, 111. Mrs. Andrews was born at Burns, 
N. Y., Aug. 19, 1833, and is the daughter of .Ste- 
phen and Ann Suydam Mundy, and the widow of 
Bradley Ch.andler, who died at Ottawa, 111., Oct. 15, 
18(!1. Their family consisted of twelve children. 

To ilr. .and .Mrs. Andrews there have been born 
two sons: Chancy C, born in 1865, and PMward \l. 
They are at home with their parents. Mr. .and Mrs. 
Andrews are members in good standing of the 
^Methodist P^piscopal Church, with which they have 
been connected many years, and to which they have 
given a liberal and cheerful su|)port. Jlr. A. is a 
stanch advocate of Republican principles The fam- 
ily are widely esteemed in their community, being 
ranked among the elements which have given to 
this count}' its prestige and standing, socially, 
morally and fin.incially. 



=;^i NDKKW C. KISSELL is pursuing the 
^luL even tenor of his way in a comparatively 
uneventful miuincr at a comfortable liome- 
_ .stead in Nottawa Township, lying on sec- 

tion 24, and to which he cami in 1888. .\ native 
of this township, he was born Nov. 25. 1838. the 




"Tf 



ST. JObEPll COUNTY. 



235 



year after Mit-liiiraii was adinitted into tlie Union as 
a State. Of liis fntlier. .losepli Riifisell, one of the 
pioneers of Mic-liii::iii. a sketcii will be found on 
anotlier page in tliis work. The latter is a resident 
of Leonidas Township, in tiic northeastern corner of 
this eounty. 

Mr. Russell studied his first lesson in tlie pioneer 
schools of this county, and hecamc fully actpiainted 
with the nu'tlKwIs of farininsr at that day. which, it 
is hardly necessary to state, were prosecuted uniler 
many dirticulties and with machinery far inferior 
to that of the present, lie remained a meml)er of 
the parental household until reachinsr his m.ajority, 
when he was married, and settled first on a farm in 
Sherman Town>hip. lie sojourned there a few 
years, then moved to a farm east of Nottawa, which 
he occujiied about one and one-half years. Thence 
he removed to .Sturgis and coiKhicted a livery and 
sale stable about the same length of time; he then 
turned his .attention exclusively to the buying and 
selling of horses one season. Next he embarked 
ill tiie butchering business in Sturgis, at which he 
was occupied live years, finally exchanging the 
business for a farm in the vicinity of (rotcli Lake. 
where he removed with his family and lived five 
years. 

.Mr. Uussell at the expiration of this time con- 
cluded to experiment upon the soil of Nebraska, 
and accorilingly purchased a farm in Ilarlin County, 
where he carried on stock-raising and agriculture 
four years, then sold out and returned to his native 
county. He now rented a farm in Hronson Town- 
ship three years, then purchased land adj.icent to 
the village, and occupied himself there at farming 
and stock-raising one year. Then selling out once 
more he purchase<l the property which he now 
owns and occupies. This embraces fifty acres of 
good land uniler thorough cultivation, and with its 
l)uilcliiigs. forms a remarkably snug homestead. 

The marriage of Andrew C Uu.ssell and Miss 
C'rysothemis Thurston was celebrated at the home 
of the bride in t'i>lon Township. Dec. 13. 18fil. 
This lady is the daughter of .Marsena and Lovina 
(W.asliburn) Thurston, the latter of whom died 
A])ril 1.1. 1HH.>. at her hf>me in Colon. .Mr. Thur- 
ston survive<l his wife less than two years, his death 
taking place .Tan. 7. 1887. They had a family of 



twelve children, eight of whom arc living, and 
residents mostly of this county. 

Mrs. Russell w.ns the fourth child of her parents. 
and w.a.s born in Colon Township, this county, 
April 1, 1812. She received her education in the 
common schools and remained with her parents 
until her marriage. Of her union with our subject 
there have been born seven children, one of whom, 
an infant son, Herbert Cdied when ten weeks old. 
The survivors are: Hector 1)., who married .Miss 
Victoria Walker, and lives in Walia.sli County, 
Ind.; Clare A., IfHe I)., Rush, Carl \V. and Cecil 
L. Mr. Russell while a resident of Nebraska served 
as .Justice of the Peace, luit cares ver}' little for 
the honors of oflice. He cast his first Presidential 
vote for Lincoln, and since becoming of age h.as 
given his support to the principles of the Repub- 
lican i)artv. 




A, RS. ELIZA S. JACOX, of Nottawa Town- 
ship, owns and occupies a pleasant and 
valuable homestead on section 24, where 
she look up her abode with her late hus- 
band in 185',). She is a lad}- numbered among the 
best people of St. .loseph County, possessing more 
than ordinary intelligence and sterling worth of 
character. She was boi n in Jlorris County, N. J., 
Nov. 14. 1821. and is the daughter of .John and 
Mary (Viles) Snider, who were also natives of that 
State, where they were reared and married and 
where the father died in 1822. 

.John Snider was a farmer by occupation, made a 
comfortable living for his family, and possessed all 
the qualities of an honest man and good citizen. 
The mother after the death of her husband lived in 
New .Jersey till 1832. then came to Michigan, where 
she spent her Last days, dying in 1877, when about 
seventy-live years old. They were the i)arents of 
one child only, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. 
•Jacox was a maiden of seventeen when she took 
up her abode in this county. She was married at 
the residence of William Connors, of Nottawa 
Township, .Ian. 8, IH.iK, to Harvey .lacox. who had 
come to Michigan with his parents when a small 
hoy. He was born in Ontario County. N. V., May 
10. 1808. and after living in Michigan with his par- 



_ «» ^B 4» 



•^f^ 



^^p Ti l <• 



236 



ST. .JOSEPH COUNTY. 



ents for a time returned to his native State, where 
he sojourned several years, tlien came to tliis 
count}- in 1837, of which he was a resident un- 
til his death, which occurred in 1883. He was a 
thorough and skillful farmer, and labored indus- 
triously manj' years to build up the homestead 
upon which his widow now resides, surrounded by 
all the comforts of life. The farm embraces 160 
acres, and upon it are neat and substantial build- 
ings, a tasteful residence, with a good barn and all 
the necessary structures for the shelter of stock and 
tiie storing of grain. The farm has been operated 
by improved machincr}', and the cattle, horses and 
swine are of excellent descri()tion. 

To Mr. and Mrs. .lacox there were born the chil- 
dren whose record is as follows: Calista, the eldest 
daughter, is the wife of S. McMillan, of Colon; 
Eloise married Robei-t Sdiemerliorn, and lives in 
Nottawa; Isabel!, Mr.'*. Edgar Chapman, is in 
Indiana; Krank. unni.'uricd, remains at hon)e with 
his moliier ; .lolui .1. manie<l Miss Ada Shaffer, and 
is farming in Nottawa Township; Major also car- 
ries on agriculture in this township; Mary E. died 
when eiglit years of age; .lohn died in infanc}', and 
Waller is a promising young man of twenty-two 
j'ears; William was fatally injured b}- the kick of a 
horse, which he ord.v survived a ^hort time; he was 
nineteen years old. Colonel died when a lad of thir- 
teen years. 





^K G. COA'EY, better Icnown among the old 
^iiLlli settlers and ]uoneers of Leonidas Town- 
ship and the county generally .as "Gill" 
Covey, li.as been a resident of the count}- 
for forty-two years. Allen Covey, his fivther, 
migrated with his wife and family, comprising six 
children, from Steuben County, N. Y., to this dis- 
trict in 1816. and settled in the above township. 
Here he took up eighty acres of land, for which 
he traded land in New York. 

The new home of the Covey family w.as situated 
on section 35. and afforded every o|)portunity for 
the exercise of both the theoretical and pr.ictical 
knowledge of agriculture, and not of that simply, 
but of the preparing of new land for the plow and 
after WKrk. The family speedily became well known 



among their neighbors and much esteemed. The 
names of the children are as follows: Alphus M.. 
Daniel B., Reuben C.,'Eleazer .1., Allen G., Susanna. 
The wife and mother departed this life in the month 
of .Inly, 1846, the f.ather surviving only until the 
following October, 1846. 

The subject of our sketch was born in Howard, 
Steuben Co., N. Y., on the 9th of March, 1834. and 
lie w-as about twelve years of age when liis parents 
moved AVest. After the death of his father he 
went to live w-ith Mr. Uavid Franklin, of the same 
township, where he remained for over three years, 
and then went to live with his brother Alphus, 
staying w-itli him for about two .years. Being 
eighteen years of age, he then started out in life 
for himself, obtaining a position where he couhl 
work on the farm by the month, continuing thus for 
eight years, working for the greater part of the 
time in Florence TowTiship. 

Kcturning to Leonidas Township in December, 
1860, Mr. Covey liought land and settled about half 
a mile north of the Grove school-house, where he 
made his liome for alH)ut eight years, w-liich w-ere 
yeiirs of prosperity, then (iiuling a good purcluwer, 
he sold out. He bought eighty acres on section 
29, to which he has added an additional forty acres. 
His life has been spent mainly in .agricultural ])ur- 
suits. and he is a thoroughly practical, enterprising 
and prosperous farmer. 

On the 2d of December, 1860. our subject en- 
tered into th.at relation which has brought him so 
much of the brightness and happiness of life, that 
being the day w-hcn he w-.as united in w-edlock with 
Miss Jlyra .1. Bowers, at Constantine, this count}'. 
Miss Bowers was born in Washtenaw County, 
Mich., on the 19tli of April. 1839. and is a daugh- 
ter of John :uid Sarah (Wood) Bow-ers, who are 
natives of New- York and Pennsyl v.ania resi)ectively. 
Their marriage has been consummated by the birth 
of three children, n.amed as follow-s: S. Adelbert. 
who is now the husband of Cora Eew-is. is one of 
the prosperous farmers of Leonidas Tow-nship; 
Sarah S.. w-lio is at home, and l^rnesl .\.. who met 
his death from injuries res\ilting fi-om his horse 
running away while he waj! driving on the 24th of 
F"ebruary. 18.S3. He went w-ith his father to Colon 
with a load of hogs, and was liolding the horses b\' 



>► ■ 4' 



Sr. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



•2:37 '. * 




i= 



their heads when they took fright at the cars. It 
was sleiirliiiijj time. He was draggefl al>oiit thirty 
rods, and then the sleijrli went over him. intlictinu; 
fatal injuries. He was pielced up and carried lioine. 
wliere lie died tiie foliuwin": evenint^. 

Our sultject and wife liave taken niucii interest 
in the education of tlieir eiiildren, lieiieving it tiie 
best inlierit;inee or fortune they could jjossibly 
give them. .Sarah .S. is a graduate of the Valparaiso 
College in the de])artment of elocution, and is now 
a teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Covey are meinljers in 
good standing of the Orange, P. of H., and have 
been connected therewith fifteen years. They are 
much respected in the order, as they are also in 
society at large, where the sterling qualities that 
have alw.ays been exhibited in their lives and char- 
acter have won for tliem thorough respect and es- 
teem. 

RANCIS L. McKINDLKY, of Mendon 
Si Township, l)ears the [)roud distinction of 
having cast his first Presidential vote for 
Old Tippecanoe in 1840; with no less enthusiasm he 
voted for the grandson of the old warrior in Noveui- 
ber, 188S. He has thus rounded up a life of nearly 
seventy years, and from present indications has 1)V 
no means outlived his usefulness. He is still the 
same kindly, genial and reliable man that he w.as 
thirty years ago, and numbers his friends by the 
score in this county, of which he has been a resi- 
dent for a i)eriod of over forty years. 

Our subject was cradled in the townshi]) of Gal- 
*ay. Saratoga Co., N. Y., where his birth took 
place .luly 3, 1817. His father, William McKind- 
ley. was also a native of that county, and he married 
Miss Martha McLean, who was born in Wash- 
ington County, N. Y. Kach died in the county- of 
their birth, the father in 1823 and the mother in the 
summer of 18.')7. They were the parents of four 
children, and Francis L. was the thinl in order of 
birth. The others are all deceased. They located 
in their native State, and there jmssed away. 

Our subject spent his childhood and youth in the 
Empire State, occupying himself at the homestead 
with his grandf:itlier until a youth of eighteen 



j'ears, acquiring in the meantime a common-school 
education. At the age of eighteen years he re- 
paired to Balston Spa, and served an apprentice- 
ship of two years at the tr.ade of m.ason. This he 
followed fora number of seiisons in his native count}' 
but in the spring of 184.') determined to cast his lot 
with the pioneers of Michigan. Coming to this 
county he settled in Mendon Township, of which he 
h.as since been a resident. He first employed him- 
self at his trade, and made his first purchase of land 
in the summer of 184.5. Of this he is still the pos- 
sessor, and has bent his energies toward its improve- 
ment and cultivation. He has good buildings, the 
requisite farm m.ichinery and live stock, the typi- 
cal apple orchard, and the other fruit and shade 
trees, all of which bear their part in the making up 
of the complete homestead. 

During thirtj--six years of his life there has ac- 
companied our subject as his most faithful com- 
panion and helpmate a most estimable lady, whose 
maiden name was Susan Re^'nolds, and to whom he 
was married ilay 6, 1852, at the residence of her 
parents in Mendon Township. Mrs. McKindley 
was born near the city of Tro}', Rensselaer Co., N. 
Y., Nov. 20, 1820. and is the daughter of Nathaniel 
and Orelia (Bovie) Reynolds, who were also natives 
of the Empire State, and removed from Steuben 
County to Michigan in the fall of 1840. They set- 
tled ui)on a tract of new land in Mendon Township, 
this county, where they battled with the elements 
of a new soil and built up a comfortable homestead, 
on which they spent the remainder of their lives. 
Nathaniel Reynolds departed this life Feb. 25, 
1851. and his estimable wife Aug. 2, 1854. They 
were the parents of nine children, of whom Mrs. 
McKindley was the eldest. Of her brothers and 
sisters two are living, making their homes mostly' 
in ^Vashington Territory an<l Wisconsin. 

Mr. and Mrs. McKindley began their wedded life 
together under a modest roof-tree on their own 
farm, and have labored hand in hand through storm 
and sunshine to secure for themselves a competence 
for their declining yeare and attain to a worthy 
position among the people around them. They 
number their friends by the score in this county, 
which owes its development and prosperity to such 
as they, who permitted no dilliculty to discourage 




ii>^h-^ 



238 



hT. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



them, and ■niio Imve done good as tliey had oppor- 
tunitj-. 

To. Mr. and Mrs. McKindlej' there were horn 
tliree children: 'William Francis, March 11, 1853; 
Mary A., .July 20. 18.54; .John A., Feh. 10, 186G. 
The eldest son is single, and a resident of Kala- 
mazoo; Mary died Jan. 27. 1870. when an interest- 
ing maiden of nearly sixteen j-ears; John A. is now 
a promising young man of twenty-three years. It 
is hardly necessary to stale that he is a stanch sup- 
porter of Kepuhlican jirinciples, and cast his first 
Presidential vote for Harrison. lie was married, 
Dec. 12, 1888, to Vira A. Olds, of Athens. 



*«♦- 






<& ftlLLIAM SHARER is a name well known 
\njl' and respected in St. Joseph County, not 
^ys^ onl}' because of what he is hut also on ac- 
count of his parents. The property of this gentle- 
man is situated upon section 13 of Colon Township, 
ami comprises 130 acres of carefully fanned land. 
He was born in Lyons. Waj-ne Co., N. Y.. on the 
1st of May. 1812; until he attained to man's es- 
tate he lived with his parents in his native count}-. 
He was reared upon a farm, and has therefore from 
earliest j-ears been conversant with the daily hap- 
penings of such a life, and intimate with all the 
details of agricultjiral labor. In 1839 he went to 
Lenawee County, and located in Rome Township, 
where he bought a farm and continued to live for 
fourteen or fifteen years. In the spring of 1854 he 
renjoved to St. Joseph County, and settled on sec- 
tion 13, Colon Township, where he has been a resi- 
dent ever since. 

The farm of Mr. Sharer includes some 130 acres, 
upon which he has expended much time, energy, in- 
telligent effort and assiduous labor. Life has not 
been, and never can be, a continual M.^y d.-iy to one 
similarly placed and of kindred disposition ; not that 
it is without its sunshine or its brightness, but the 
sterner realities of life tliat are ever demanding 
attention have to be and are met faithfully and 
well. He has experienced all the hardships and 
trj'ing situations incident to settlement in a new 
country an<l is familiar therewith, but is neverthe- 

-4i 



less rejoiced, as looking around he sees the large 
progress made, the well-settled condition of coun- 
tr}', the increase of wealth and power that has come 
to the community in the course of years. 

The subject of our sketch was married, in Lyons, 
Wayne Co.. N. Y., on the 22d of February. 1833, 
to Miss Lucinda Weed. This laily was born in Ft. 
Ann, Washington Count}-, in the same State, on the 
14th of August. 1814. There have come to their 
home eight children, seven of whom they have been 
permitted to bring to mature years, the other died 
in infancy. The names of those living are as follows: 
George W., Henrietta, Selick W.. Lj-dia A., Mary, 
Harry C. and Thurlow B. George is residing in 
Ce<lar Springs, Kent County; Henrietta is now Mrs. 
William C. Houland. of Ovid, Mich.; Lydia is the 
wife of Byron B. Noyes, of Branch Count}-; Mary 
is married to Oliver B. Culver, of the same county; 
Harry is in Chicago; Selick is in Colon and Thur- 
low at home. 

For twelve years our subject continued to hold 
the position of Commissioner of Highw.ays. and is 
a member of Colon Grange, P. of H. In political 
circles he is not prominent, although at all times 
interested in the various questions before tlie peo- 
ple. He has always been a sUmch Republican and 
.in ardent worker for the i)art}-. He is a man of 
fine personal character, a good agriculturist, and a 
most worthy and capable citizen. 

The parents of our subject were representatives 
of that type of manhood and womanhood that has 
almost passed away and become obsolete since the 
revolution in civilization that resulted in the pres- 
ent never-ceasing, impetuous rush of life. His 
father, Henry Sharer, was a native of Maryland; 
the maiden name of his wife, the mother of our 
subject, was Elizabeth Bcrrock, who was born in 
the same State. Their first home was made in their 
native State, and there they continued to reside 
for some years, then they removed to Wayne 
County, N. Y. This migration was effected in the 
year 1810. They resided in this place until their 
removal to Michigan, where they settled in Rome, 
Lenawee Count}', and continued to live for the re- 
mainder of their days. They were widely known 
throughout the county, and in fact the entire set- 
tlement, and it is more than likely that the true 



:?^r+^ 



•«► 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



'2 ■■'.'.) 




(loincslicity. the large-hearted, generous hospitality 
which marked their home are what have given to 
oiirsiilijoct the <li'sire. rcsoliilion and will to fashion 
his home after a similar plan. 

The [)arents of Mrs. Sharer were Selick and 
Temperance (Owen) Weed. Her father was liorn 
in Connecticut and her mother in New York. 
After their marriage they settled in Washington 
County, and afterward resided in Galen, Wayne 
Co., N. Y. After .<i happy wedded life of man\' 
years the time of parting that comes to all came to 
them. Sept. 29. 1853. the father ami hnshand 
passed to his last resting-place, his wife depart- 
ing this life on the Isl of August, 1849. 



,,... DAM liOWKR. The pioneer history of 
l^O .St. .loseph Count}' will increase in interest 
li as years pass bj' and the lapse grows longer 
between the earl}' days and the present. 
Among the intelligent cl.oss of a community it is a 
matter of pride that their ancestors were enterpris- 
ing and worthy citizens, and that they assisted in 
building up one of the greatest countries on the 
face of the earth. Thus is evinced the importance 
of preserving family history, which may be read in 
after years by coming generations; no man of fore- 
thought will give this matter a secondarj' place in 
his thoughts. 

The subject of this sketch came t«) Michigan dur- 
ing its Territorial days, and since that time has been 
closely identified with the interests of the people 
of this section. He has distinguished himself as 
one (tf the most useful citizens of St. Joseph County, 
having by his example of industr}' alone furnished 
a stimulus to his compeers and those who came 
after. He is the offspring of an excellent family, 
his father, John Bower, having been a substanti;tl 
Pennsylvanian, a native of Schuylkill County. The 
mother. Mi's. I'olly (Cline) Bower, wasalso a native 
of that county, where the parents were reared and 
married. Not long aflcrwartl they took up their 
residence in Cayuga Coimt}', N. Y. The mother 
died while a young woman, when her son Adam 
was but five years old. 

Mr. Bower spent his boyhood and youth in 



Union .Springs, Cayuga Co., N. Y. His father 
catiie to this count}' in 183C, but only lived six j-ears 
thereafter, his death occurring in the year 1K4I. 
Adam was the 3'oungest of the famil}', which con- 
sisted of four sons and four daughters. He was 
born in Cayuga County, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1813, and 
early in life became familiar with the various em- 
ployments of the farm. He was married in his 
native county, to which he had returned for that 
purpose, Sept. 8, 183G, an<l in March of the follow- 
ing year settled with his young wife upon the 
farm in Colon Township, where he has since labored 
with such excellent re.xillts. 

The first purchase of Mr. Bower was a tract of 
160 acres, and the first dwelling which .sheltered 
himself and his young wife was a log house. Mr. 
Bower possessed much mechanical genius, and the 
buildings thereafter erected were the work of his 
own hands, he doing not onl}' the carpentering but 
the masonry. That first humble dwelling about 
1858 gave way to a more commodious one. and of 
more modern style of architecture. The homestead 
as it now appears is second to none in the count}', 
and the barns and out-buildings are especially fine, 
being amply adapted to the storing of grain and 
the shelter of stock. Mr. Bower by the exercise of 
incessant industry and economy in due time found 
himself on the highway to prosperity. With wise 
forethought he invested his s[)are capital in addi- 
tional land, and is now the owner of 557 broad 
acres, the most of which he h.as brought to a good 
state of cultivation. 

Fifty -two years ago, on the 8th of September, 
1830, Mr. Bower was married in Springport, Cay- 
uga Co..N. Y., to Miss Hannah C. Richards, daugh- 
ter of Simeon and Mary (Chitister) Richards, who 
were natives of New York, and spent the last years 
of their lives in Cayuga County, amid the quiet 
scenes of country life. Mrs. Bower was born in 
Ballston, .Saratoga Co., N. Y., .Sept. 4, 1814, and 
became the mother of two children. Simeon A. and 
John F. The elder son died in Colon Township, 
this county. April 3,1874. The mother had died 
twenty-six years before, on the 6th of December, 
1848. 

The father of our subject contracted a second 
marriage, Jan. 15, 1850, with Miss Mary E. Pitts, 



f 



-^^ 



240 



^i^h-* 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



This larly wa.s born in Oiioiulaga Count3\ N. Y.. 
Nov 3, 1827. Tlicre wore liorn of this union six 
eliililieii^ — Augustus L.. llaunali K., ,]anios E., 
Louis A., William E. and Henry 1'. Augustus is 
a resident of Bronson, this State; Ilannali died 
wiien an infant of .';i.\ weeks; James E. is a resident of 
Iron County, Micii.; Louis A. died in Colon, Se|)t. 
27, 1857; William E. is a resident of Colon Town- 
ship, and Henry P., of Leonidas Township. JNIrs. 
JIary E. (Pitts) Bower died at the homestead in 
(,'olon Township. Oct. 2.5. 1881. 

Adam Bower was again married, in Mendon. this 
State. April 10, 1883, to Mrs. Amanda R. (Kicliards) 
Miner, widow of George Miner, who died in Porter 
Township, this county, in 1879. Mrs. Amanda 
Bower was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., March 
1, 1835. and by her union with Mr. Miner is the 
mother of one child, a daughter. Mary P., who is 
now living at home. 

Mr. Bower, politically, votes the straight Repub- 
lican ticket, and with his excellent wife is identified 
with Colon Grange, P. of H. He has never had any 
desire for the responsibilities of oflice although he 
has discharged the duties of some of those in his 
township. A man strictly attentive to his own con- 
cerns, he is one who long ago estalilished himself 
in the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, 
and by his straightfoiward life and unquestioned 
integrity is ranked among the leading men of St. 
Josejjh County. 



♦eac/tS^S^-^^^^-^ll-SWOT*- 




HAINCY JL CLE^■KLAM) represents real 
estate to the extent of 280 acres on sections 
7. 19 and 12, in Colon Township, most of 
which i.s in a productive condition, and yields to 
the pro|)rietor a gtwd income for his labors as a 
tiller of the soil. He is a man posse.ssing a great 
deal of perseverance and resolution — the legitimate 
inheritance from his substantial .ancestrj\ who were 
people generally well-to-do and sui-roiindcd by the 
comforts of life. A native of Erie County, Pa., 
he was born April 12, 1831. and when a Lad of 
thirteen years came with his parents to Michigan, 
they locating in XotLawa Township,!. this county. 
The father, Stephen Cleveland, was born in Otsego 



County. Town of the Chestnuts, X. Y., in the )-ear 
1805, and married Miss Maria Sullivan, who was 
also a native of the Empire State. They remained 
residents there for a time, then removed to Penn- 
sylvania, and later to Ohio, whence the^' came to 
Michigan. The mother was born in the State of 
New Jerse}- in 1806. and died in Nottawa Town- 
ship, this county, Dec. 3, 1857. The father is still 
living, being now well advanced in years, and 
makes his home with his daughter, Jane Orton. 
near Three Rivers, in Lockport Township. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
twelve children, of whom Chauncy M. was the 
fourth. Of the others, seven are living, and lo- 
cated mostly in .Michigan and California. Chauncy 
M.. like his brothers and sisters, became familiar 
at un early age with the employments of farm life, 
and was trained to habits of industry. He tiegnn 
also at an early age to lay his plans for the future, 
and when a youth of nineteen years left "home and 
commenced working out by the month. After three 
years he returned to the parental roof-tree, and 
thereafter gave his father a good share of what be 
eariu'd. and also contributed his labors for two 
years. 

Mr. Cleveland came to this county in the spring 
of 1844, and first occupied himself at driving and 
breaking team, and later in a gener.al farming busi- 
ness. In the meantime he formed the acquaintance 
of one of its most estimable young ladies. Miss 
Saloma Engle, to whom he was married Nov. 1. 
1855. This lady w-as born in Rochester, N. Y.. 
Nov. IC), 1834. and is the daughter of George and 
Christina (Klipfersteiu) Engle, both of whom were 
natives of Alsace, France. Thej' were married in 
1823, .and emigrated to the Lnited States in 1827. 
They were for a time afterward residents of Roches- 
ter, N. Y., whence they came to Michigan Territory 
about 183fi. and settled in Colon Townshij). where 
they spent the remainder of their lives, the father 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. He lived to be 
fifty-one years old. his death taking place Jan. 21, 
1851. The mother survived her husband thirty- 
seven j'CJirs, remaining a widow, and departed 
hence April 1, 1888. having spent her last days 
with her daughter Saloma. 

To the parents of Mrs. Cleveland there were 



^Hf^ 



>» II 4* 






ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



2»l 




born six c-liildrcn, four of wlioiii livod to mature 
years, and .Mrs. t". was tlie fourth of the family. 
Of her union witli our sul)jeet tliere are two son.s 
and a daujrhter: (Jeorfre, the eldest, married Miss 
Ktta .\very, and is oeeiipied at farininif in Nottawa 
Townsliiji; Thomas married Mi.ss Cora Blaekwood. 
and lives in Colon; .lennie is the wife of A. 11. 
Thurston, who is ensfaijed in farniinir at lUirr Oak, 
.Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland be.san their wedded life 
in Colon Townshii). where they have sinee lived. 
In XXH't the first modest dwelliiifj was rejtlaeed by 
a handsome briek residence, which, with its sur- 
roundinirs. forms a very attractive home. Mr. 
Cleveland, politically, votes the straijrht Demo- 
cratic ticket, and i»s a business man and citizen is 
held in hi":h esteem. 



flLLIAM LlGllTIllSER. The traveler pass- 
in}; through Leoni<las Township cannot 
fail to observe the farm of this gentleman, 
which lies on section 19, and embraces one of the 
finest homesteads in this part of St. Joseph County. 
The thoroughly cultivated fields yield bountifully 
the rich |)roducts of Southern Michigan. The resi- 
dence an<l farm buildings are tasteful and substan- 
tial in architeclnrc, and fulfill all the requirements 
of the modern ideas of farm life. The fiehls are 
neatly laid off, and the m.ichincry, the live stock, 
in fact, everything about the premises, is creditable 
to the taste of the proprietor and indicative of am- 
ple means. 

The German element of .Southern Michigan has 
done much in bringing it to its present enviable 
condition, and of this nationality the sul)ject of 
tliis sketch is a most worthy representative, lie 
was born in Bavaria, Dec. 27, 1H37, at the mod- 
est home of his parents near the town of Inchba, 
where the father was engagcl in farming. About 
the time William reached his thirteenth birthday, the 
faniil}' had gathered together their |)ersonal effects 
and secured passage on a sailing-vessel bound for 
New York. After a voyage of thirty-seven d.iys 
on the water they landed at their destination, and 
soon after proceeded to Tuscarawas County', Ohio, 
where the father secured a tract of new land an<l 

4 * 



built up a comfortable hf)n)estead, upon which both 
parents spent the remainder of their days. 

To John and Catherine (Plosser) Lighthiser, 
the parents of ovir subject, there were born three 
children. William L., with the exception of two 
years spent in Stark County, was a resilient of Tus- 
carawas County, Ohio, until the spring of 1883, and 
engaged continuously in farm pursuits, lie was 
married in the latter county, March 14. 1 8G8, to 
Miss Rebecca Leister, who was born Jan. 22, 
1844. in Ohio. Of her union with our subject there 
were born six children, namely: .John, William, 
Katie. George, Norah and Eda. Of these all are 
living and reside at home. 

Our subject after the outbreak of the Civil War 
enlisted, in September. 18GI, in Companj- K, .ilst 
Ohio Infantry, wiih which he did brave and faith- 
ful service until the close of the conflict in 18C5. 
He first saw the smoke of battle at Stone River, and 
in the fight at Chickamanga was captured by the 
rebels, and Uiken first to Belle Isle, next to Libby 
Prison, from there to Danville, and finally to the 
dreadeil stockade at Andersonville. In the latter 
he was confined for a period of seventeen months, 
enduring its horrors, which need not be recapitu- 
lated here, as they have become matters of history 
and familiar to the people of both continents. 

From Andersonville Mr. Lighthiser was trans- 
ported with a number of his comrades to Charles- 
ton, S. C, and thence to Macon, Ga., where he was 
exchanged, and once more breathed the air of free- 
dom. So great had been his suffi rings from insuf- 
ficient food, and that of the poorest quality, and 
the foul water he was compelled to drink, that he 
w.as scarcely able tostand upon his feet at the ex|)ira- 
tion of this time. He slates that he knows of no 
words sufficiently forcible to ex[)ress the scenes 
which he witnessed during that terrible time. He 
joined his regiment at Bull's Gap, E. Tenn., which 
was then a part of the Army of the Tennes- 
see, and after his honorable discharge was in the 
employ of the Government at Nashville (or nine 
months. At the expiration of this time he re- 
turned to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, whence he 
went to Illinois at the date already mentioned. In 
1882 he purchasecl 1 CiO acres of land on section 12, 
in Leonidas Township, and has since added forty 



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242 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 




acres ni»ie. inakinj; 200, to which lie has since 
given iiis lime and attention, mjiking ninny im- 
provements, and fnlfiliing as near as possible his 
ideas of the complete home. He is a. man prompt 
to meet his obligations, and his straightforward and 
upright character has secured iiini hosts of friends. 

AVID II.\Z/.ARD. There was a time 
when the landmarks of a white man in the 
West were made by his ax upon the trees 
as he traveled, often alone, through the 
wilderness. Later he made himself known by his 
settlement, usually in a log cabin, when for miles 
around him perha[is there would not be a man of 
his kin<l. There is nothing more interesting in this 
daj- and age than tracing the career of the pioneers 
who are now passing away, but the records of whom 
are being more religiously preserved as time goes 
on, and the distance between the past and the pres- 
ent seems to lengthen. These reeonls in years to 
come will be greatl}' valued by generations now 
unborn, and will in part serve to do away with that 
melancholy feeling present with most men when the 
fear of death is absorbed by the greater fear of be- 
ing forgotten. 

The subject of this sketch, one of the earliest pio- 
neers of St. Joseph County, is a man who has built 
up for himself an .a<1mirable record, one which his 
descendants may revert to with pride in years to 
come. Although but little past his prime, he has 
witnessed remarkable changes within a period of 
thirty years, and has borne no unimportant part as 
a lifelong resident of Southern MichigJin, assisting 
in its growth and development. He was born in 
Wayne County, !Mich., April ,5, 1828, and was but 
eighteen montlis old when his parents came to this 
county, taking up their residence in Nottawa Town- 
ship in December, 182'J. His father, William 
Hazzard, was a native of Vermont, and in early 
manhood was married to Miss Cassandra Coan. a 
native of Canada. In a few years after their 
marriage thoj' emigrated to W!i3'ne County, this 
State, during its Territorial days. Upon coming to 
St. Joseph County they located on land two miles 
northeast of the present site of Cenlreville, where 



the father followed farming amid the difficulties of 
life in a new settlement, and where both parents 
spent the remainder of their lives. William Haz- 
zard departed this life in September, 187H. having 
survived the wife and mother eight 3'ears, her death 
taking place in February', 1870. 

The parental family consisted of fourteen chil- 
dren, seven sons and seven daughters, of whom 
David S. w,as the fourth in orderof birth. He was 
reared to manhood at the old homestead in Not- 
tawa Township, where he resided with his parents 
until after reaching his majority. At the age of 
twenty-two his father gave him an undeveloped 
farm in Nottawa Townshii), upon which he labored 
one and one-half years, then exchanged it for a 
farm in Calhoun County, which was located in the 
vicinity of Athens, upon which he sojourned a 
period of seven 3'ears. Then selling out he re- 
turned to Nottawa Township, of which he has since 
been a resilient. 

Mr. Hazzard, in October, 1861, enlisted in Bat- 
tery D, 4th Michigan Light Artillery, leaving in the 
course of six weeks with his regiment for Louis- 
ville, Ky. He subsequently took part in many of the 
important battles of the war: Perry ville. Hoover's 
Gap, Stone River, Chiekamauga, Lookout Mount- 
ain, Chattanooga, and met the enemy in various 
other minor engagements and skirmishes. He also 
proved himself a brave and eflicient soldier, endur- 
ing with his comrades hardships and privations, and 
at the expiration of his term of enlistment, feeling 
he had done his entire dutj', he accepted his honor- 
able discharge and returned home, haying been 
mustered out at Louisville, Kj'. In the meantime 
he had been married, April 4, 1850, to Miss Ilulda 
A., daughter of Nelson and Jane (Austin) Wells. 
The parents of Mrs. Hazzard emigrated from Wash- 
ington County, N. Y., to Washtenaw County, Mich., 
in 1840, living there a period of six years. Thence 
thej' came to Nottawa Township, where the father 
engaged in farming, and lived to be quite aged, his 
death occurring May 3, 1880. The mother had 
preceded her husband to the silent land seventeen 
years, her death taking place in May, 1863. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Wells there were born eleven 
children, of whom .Mrs. Hazzanl was the second. 
Her native place w'.-is Washington Count}", N. Y., 




1 



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ST. .lUSEl'H COUNTi'. 



24.! 




\ 



and the date of her liirtli Oct. 1. 1H:53. She was a 
little j^iil of seven \e:»rs when her parents came to 
Michigan, and has little recollection of any other 
home. She received careful home trainin<i and a 
conmmn-schixileduciUiun, and occupies a gooil posi- 
tion among the pioneer wives and mulhers of South- 
ern Michifian. To iMr. and Mrs. llazzard there 
have licen born five children, the ehlest vf whom, 
Amanda A., is the wife of Byron 1). Williamson, of 
Mecosta Cnunty; William N. married Miss Adilie 
E. iJavis, and lives in Nebra.ska; Kilie C. is the wife 
of John Martin; Clara I).. .Mrs. SIiikhi l';iy, lives in 
.Stnrgis; Daviil E. is jit home. 

Mr. llazzard cast his first Presidential vole for 
Pierce, and being liberal and progressive in his 
ideas, is now idcntitied with the I'nion Labor parly, 
ami has ever l>eeu founil encouraging those enter- 
prises calculated for the best good of its people- 
As a memlier of the (i. A. R., lie belongs to David 
Oaks Post No. 135, at Cenlreville. lie identified 
himself with the Masonic fraternity years ago, and 
is connected with Blue Lodge ami Ml. Vernon 
Lodge, of Cenlreville. Both he an<I his estimalile 
wife are members of Cenlreville Grange No. 7(5, 
P. of H. 

The llazzard homestead embraces 120 acres of 
land, with substantial buildings, plenty of fruit and 
shade trees, and the various .appurtenances of the 
well-regulated country estate. In addilimi to this 
property Mr. llazzard has eighty acres in Sherman 
Township. 



CkSS" 



%J\, U.S. UKBKCCA B. LIDDLK. This highly 
respccte<l lady, who hit-; been a resident of 
Colon Township for tlie Last thirty-eight 
j-ears. came to this county iluring its early 
settlement, and has had a [)ioneer experience which, 
could it he fully related in all its details, would 
make a g«M)d-sized volume. Possessing more than 
iirdinary intelligence, and being of that energetic 
disposition which was so essential during the early 
times, she is enabled to look back upon a record 
filled in with u.^eful labor and worthy deeds. Not 
only is she numbered among the pioneers herself, 
but is the daughter of the first settler of Matleson 
Townshi]). Branch County, this .State. Koliert Wat- 



son, who was a native of Penn.sylvania, and came 
to Michigan Territory when the cabins of the white 
men were few and far between. 

The father of Mrs. Liddle put u]) the first log 
house in the locality jdiove mentioned, but beff)re 
he was able to erect a cal)in for himself Wius taken 
seriously ill, andol)liged to lie in a w.agon box with 
little attendance siive an Indian physician. Finally 
it became necessary to place him under a rof>f, and 
he w.ns taken away some distance to the residence 
of a Mr. Palmer, to which his wife also repaired in 
order to attend him. Cireatly to their distress 
their children were left alone in the woods to take 
care of themselves as best they ct)uld. Robert 
Watson had married, in early manhood. Miss Mar- 
tha l)i:wson. also a native of Pennsylvania, and 
after marriage they settled in Crawford County. 
Pa.; later they removed to \'enango County. am\ 
from there in the year 1835 to Branch County. 
Mich. The father secured a tract of (iovernnient 
land in Mattteson Township, where they built up a 
comfortatile home, and where the mother die<l in 
1H5IJ. Mr. Watson contracted a second marriage. 
and lived upon the farm until becoming (juite aged, 
then retired to the village of Colon, where his 
death took place Nov. 17. 1«HI. Of his (ir^t mar- 
riage there had been born four children, two sons 
and two daughters. 

Mrs. Liddle wjis the eldest child of her i)arents. 
and was born in Crawford County, Pa.. Aug. 23, 
1825. She w.as ten years old -when her ]>arents re- 
moved to Michigan, and she resided with them 
until her marriage with (iilbert Liddle, which oc- 
curre<l at her home. Aug. 5. 1817. She had re- 
ceived a limited education in the pioneer schools. 
and been taught those habits of industry and econ- 
omy which were so essential in the early days. 

(iilbert Liddle was born in .Montgomery County, 
N. Y.. April 6. 1807. and was the son of John and 
Klizabeth Liddle. who were natives of New York, 
and spent their hist years there. I'jwn leaving his 
native State Mr. L. migrat^-d to Detroit. Mich., and 
for a period of three years was employed as a lum- 
berman on the Black River. In the year 1831 he 
came to this county and purchased a tract of land 
in Colon Township, where he lived and labort-d 
until his <leath. which (Kcurred Julv 16. 1884. lie 



»► ■ ■» 



i 



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•2H 



iST. .lOSEPlI COUNTY. 



had improved a farm of 478 acres, and been a man 
prominent in his community and greatly respected 
by tiis neighbors. lie belonged to the Masonic 
fraternity, was a member in good standing of the 
Methodist Ciuircli. and distinguished himself as a 
liberal-minded and public-spirited citizen, ever 
willing to lend a helping hand to the enterprises of 
tlie ])eople gathered around him. 

'I'o -Mr. and Mrs. I.iddle there were l)orn six 
children, of wiiom the record is as follows: Gil- 
bert, .Ir.. is carrying on farming in Colon Town- 
ship; .Julia K. became the wife of George D. Liddle, 
and died at iier liome in Colon Township, .\pril 
30, 1887; Martlia I), is tiie wife of Krastus Trubey, 
of Colon Township; Maria, -Mrs. Frank Welty, 
lives in Ilicksville. Ohio; Hebecca married George 
M. Sides, of Culon. and Watson II. is a resident of 
Kansas. 

Our subject was the second wife of lier liusband. 
Mr. Liddle having l>cen first married to .Miss .lulia 
E. Matthews, who died in Colon Township in 1847. 
Of tliiit union tliere were born three children, two 
sons and a daughter, the elde-it of whom. Henry 
M.. during the late war enlisted in Company D, 
2r)th ^licliigan Infantry, and died in the field hos- 
pital at Bowling fireen. Ky.. Teh. 28. 18()3. The 
G. A. 1\. I'ost .at Colon w.as named in his honor. 
He wa.s a young man of great promise and lieloved 
among his associates. The second son, Charles M., 
is carrying on farming in Sherwood Tow^lship, this 
county. The daughter, Harriet, became the wife 
of II. D. Carr, and lives in Missouri. 

Charles Liddle also served in the army during 
the Hebellion as a member of Company I), 25th 
^Michigan Infantry, from 18(52 until the close of the 
war, fortun.ately escaping wounds .and capture. 
These boys had inherited their ])atriolism from 
tiieir father, who gave liberally of his means in 
aid of the I'nion cause, and who was an .\boIition- 
ist of a ])rono\inced type. Many a fugitive found 
protection under his hosi)itabIe roof, and to whom 
he gave food and money and sent on their way re- 
joicing. In these sentiments he possessed a cheer- 
ful and hearty sympathizer in the i>erson of his 
wife Rebecca, whose father also cherished a hatred 
of the jR'Culiar institution, and from whom she h.ad 
imbibed the sentiments of freedom and Cnion. Her 



brother. John AYatson. also served as a Union 
soldier in the 4th Regiment, and yielded up his life 
for his countrj' in the hospital at Stevenson. Ala., 
in 1864. 

When the 2.jth Regiment was encamped near 
Kalamazoo, Mr. Liddle visited the camp, and while 
there s.aw market men i)eddling apples to the .-sol- 
diers .it an exorbitant price. His soul fired with in- 
dignation, and retui-ning home he got readj' a load 
of apples as soon as jMissible. which he conveyed to 
the boys as a free gift, and which it is hardly nec- 
essary to say the3' received with great enthusiasm. 
Mrs. Liddle sewed pockets in overcoats for twelve 
of the boys, and in each pocket jtlaced a Testament. 
Both she and her husband during the progress of 
the war had many correspondents in thearm\\ and 
did their utmost to cheer them in their hours of dis- 
tress and danger. Their home was ever notable for 
the kindness and hospitality extended to both friend 
and stranger. 

The home of Mrs. Liddle is pleasantly situated 
in Colon Townsliip. and there is living with her 
her son (Till)ert. .Mrs. L. identified herself with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for years has 
been one of its most chocrfid and liberal supporters. 
Tlie history of Colon Townshij) would by no means 
be complete without the record of this lady, who 
w.'is one of its earliest pioneers, and one of its best 
and most kind-hearted women. 




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^ILLIAM B. LANGLEY. whose well-culti- 
vated farm is situated on section 7 of Not- 
W^^ tawa Township, was born in (iermantown. 
Pa., upon Land that is now included in the city of 
riiil.adelphia. on the 9th of .January. 182.3. His 
parents were Thomas W. and ^Margaret (.Stigman) 
Langley. His father was born in the city of New 
York, and his mother in the State of Maryland. 
The familv included eight children, the subject of 
our sketch being the eldest. He came with his 
father to this county in 18.32. when but nine years 
of .age. and remained with the latter in Centreville 
until the year 1847. He then settled in Xottawa 
Townshij) on sectit)n 7. 

The subject of our sketch was variously employed 






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ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



245 



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until tlio removal witli liis fatlu'r, luit since that 
time lie lias sjiven his attention wholly to farminjj. 
He is the owner of 215aeres of land nntler eultiva- 
tion and in an excellent condition, well stocked, 
and ))rovided with the various iniplenients, etc.. 
that are necessary to proix*r and scientific farniinfj 
in modern days. 

Our subject and Miss .lulia \ . U. Woudworth 
celebrated their wedding in C'entreville .lulj- 25, 
1«17. Since that time, in sjjite of the cares, trials 
and difficulties of life that have come to them, the 
years have been fraught with much happiness to 
them. They are the parents of four children, viz: 
.Margaret A., now the wife of Charles Wixxlworth, 
of Atchison County, Kan.; Nellie E., happily mar- 
ried to Frank II. Goo<lrich. of (irand Rapids; 
William P.. who is married to Jliss .M:u\v Vauney, 
and resides at West Superior, Wis.; he is a gradu- 
ate of the >Iichig.an Agricultural College, and is 
I'rincipal of the schools at the above place; and 
Major .S., who was united in marrijige to Ida M. 
Arthur, and resides in Norwalk. 

Mrs. Lnngley is a daughter of William (I. and 
Amanda (Ostrand) W<M>dworth. Her father was 
born in Maylield. Fultcm Co.. .Mich., on the llth of 
.March. 17'.i7. Her mother w.as born in Dutchess 
County. N. Y. They settled in this county in the 
spring of 1844. making their home at C'entreville. 
Mrs. Wofxlworth died at the house of our subject, 
in April, lH."»(i. .Slie was the mother of six chil- 
dren, of whom her daughter .lulia, who was born 
on the 6th of .M.ay, 1«42, was the eldest. Mr. Lang- 
ley is a Notary rulilic. but has never hehl political 
otlice. He espouses the principles of the Rcpub- 
lii an party, and usually votes that ticket. 



'Jl^ H. ISAAC SIDES, a physician of Colon, is 
jY one of the most inlluential citizens of St. 
^ .loseph County, anfl a man of such varicfl 
talents that he is prominent not oidy in its 
-•iocial. but also in its business circles. He al.so oc- 
cupies a high place among his ]>rofessional brethren, 
and for many years w.as the "beloved physician" in 
many a household, and. although he retired from 
active practice four years ago. on account of other 



4*- 



business, yet he is often called uptm to prescribe 
for his old patients and others. The Doctor was 
appointed Postmaster of Colon June 8, 188.5, ami 
.luly 1, 1885. he took charge of the office, under 
President Cleveland's administration, holding the 
office four years; he kept a very neat office, was 
prompt and elticient in the discharge of his duti&s, 
and w!Ls universally liked by the ix'ople. 

Dr. Sides was born in the city of Harrisburg. Pa., 
.Ian. 7, 1820, being the elder of the two children 
of .lohn and .lane (McNutt) .Sides, the former a 
native of York County, Pa., and the latter of Edin- 
burgh, .Scotland. His father was a millstone maker, 
and it is remembered by some, even to this day, 
that he w.as not excelled in his calling. He accu- 
mul.ated a considerable property. l)ut passed aw.ay 
in the midst of his usefulness, while in the very 
prime of life, when our subject was twenty-two 
months old. His wife, a most estimable woman, 
followed him in a short time. They were people 
of such integrity of character and good social st4Uid- 
ing that the highest respect was accorded them by 
all who knew them. They were lioth memljers of 
the Presbyterian Church. Their children were well 
provided for. and left under guardianship. A'alen- 
tine Hummel becoming their .son's guardian, and 
.lohn Cameron, brother of ex-Senator .Simon Cam- 
eron, of Pennsylvania, having charge of their 
daughter's projierty. The sister of our subject. 
Miss Martha Sides, is .nn esteemed resident of Mil- 
lersburg, Pa., where she is an .active member of the 

I Methodist Episcopal Church. The paternal grand- 
parents of our subjwt were natives of Adams 

1 County, Pa., and his grandfather served in the 
War of 1812. The maternal grandparents of <Jur 
subject were natives of Scotland, and coming to 
this country in Colonial timt* settled in Pennsyl- 
vania, where they s|HMit the remainder of their 
lives. 

The early years of the life of our subject were 
|).assed with his mother's sister. Miss .Sarah McNutt, 
of .Millersburg, Pa. When he was nine years old 
he went to Lewistown. Pa., to the home of his aunt, 
.Mrs. Mary Melsheimer. with whom he lived until he 
w.as seventeen years old. receiving in that town an 
excellent classical eilucalion in the academy, from 
which he was graduated at the age of eighteen 



f 



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246 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



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years. He purposed to enter the medical |)rofes- 
sion, and had been improving iiis time in reading 
medicine and teaching seliool, and. .after availing 
liinifielf of the counsel and instruction of Dr. 
Thomas Worall. a physician of note and surgeon 
in tiie array, lie entered a medical college when he 
was twenty years old. 

Wliile residing at Harrisburg. Pa., the Doctor 
was married, Marcii 18, 1841, to Miss Elizabeth 
Strunk, of Granville Township, Mifflin Co., Pa., 
and a native of Lancaster County, that State. She 
W.1S born March 28, 1818. to George and Susan 
(Golden) Strunk. being the second in order of birth 
of their twelve children, eight boys and four girls. 
Her parents were n.ativesof Lancaster County, Pa., 
and early settlers of Mifflin County, where her 
father carried on his trade of miller, at which he 
was an expert. After the building of the Pennsj'l- 
vania Canal he acqiiired a great amount of i)roperty, 
bought a farm in Granville Township, and resided 
thereon a number of years; afterward he removed 
to Reedsville of the same county, bought a mill 
property and resided there until iiis de.ath. 

Dr. Sides came to Michigan June 26, 1856, to 
secure a location, and in October of the same year 
he leturned East for his family; he arrived at Colon 
Nov. 29, 18.56, where he commenced the practice 
of medicine. The beloved wife of our subject de- 
parted this life June 27, 188.J. after suffering from 
consumption some twelve or fourteen years, dying 
at the age of sixty -seven. She w!is a gre.at aid to 
her husband, assisting him in his practice. She 
was a lady of great intelligence, a great reader and 
was well informed, and esi)ecially was she a student 
of the IJible. She was a woman of so beautiful 
and benign a character that none, either young or 
old, knew her but to love her, and especially among 
the poor, who have been the recipients of her bene- 
factions, is her memory held in reverence. She was 
pniminent in religious and social circles in this 
community, being an active member of the Pres- 
byterian Ciiurd). and was one of the leading mem- 
bers of tlie Daugliters of Hebecca, I. O. (). V.. in 
which organization she passed the eliairs of the 
several offices in the lodge. She w:is a great lover 
nf Mowers, and in her later years passed many 
pleasant hours in her beautiful garden; she was 



connected with the Floral, Horticultural and Art 
Organization. The friends of such a woman can 
well echo the thoughts of the poet when he says: 

•■ 'Tis hard to take this burden up. 

When she has laid it down; 
She brightened all tiie joys of life. 

She softened every frown. 
Ihit oh I 'tis good to think of her 

When we arc tempted sorel 
Thanks be to God that such have been. 

Although she is no more! 

'• More homelike seems that vast unknown, 

Since siie has entered there; 
To follow her were not so hard. 

Wherever she m.iy fare; 
She cannot be where (iod is not. 

On any sea or shore; 
Whate'er betides Thy love abides. 
. Our God, fdrevermore." 

Tiie hap])v wedded life of our subject and his 
wife was blessed to them by the birth of three chil- 
dren, two of whom are living: Juniata E., .and 
George Mosheim. of whom a sketcii will be found 
in this volume. Charles died in Lewistown. Pa., 
at the age of ten months. Juniata E. became the 
wife of E. S. Schermerhorn. Nov. 16, 1869. He is 
finely educated, was a student of Albion College, 
and for seventeen years he was in the employ of the 
Government as a postal clerk, frtmi 1871 to 1888. 
He passed the best examination of any of the clerks 
at that time, .and was very eflicient in the service. 
Mr. Schermerhorn was a soUlier during the Civil 
AVar. and wsis captured at the battle of Petersburg. 
Va.. and taken prisoner to Libbj', and afterward 
transferred to Salisbury, X. C, wiience he was ex- 
changed, and afterward re-entered his regiment. He 
served his time out and was honorably discharged: 
he still suffers from a disease that he contractefl in 
prison. He at one time tjiught school. He is in 
good circumstances, and now devotes his time to 
raising fine blooded stock in Colon. 

Dr. Sides is one of the leading members of the 
Democratic party, and has taken a very active part 
in politics. He is friendly to all church organiza- 
tions, and contributes liberally to tiieir support. The 
use that he has made of his means is sufficient proof 
that he has labored for no sellisli purpose; he is 
ever the friend of the needy, and his generous en- 



-4^ 



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ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



-'4: 



coiiriiL(i>niont is jjivcn to every worthy cniiso and 
enterprise. Tlie Doetor is prominently identilied 
with various soeial organizations of St. Joseph 
t'oniity and the State, as he was also formerly in 
Pennsylvania, joinini; the Odd Fellows Nov. •2!>. 
IMl.i. and lieeoniing a Mason in 18.')l, sinee which 
time he has lieen a zealot in hoth orders, .-ind has 
eontrilmted niueh money and time in l.itiilding up 
the many societies with which he ha.s been identi- 
lied. lie is a niemlier of the I. (). (). V.. from Suh- 
oritinate to Sovereign (Irand Lodiie of the United 
States, and he has held many of the most im[X)r- 
fant ollices in different lodges. He w.ns (irand 
Master of the State in 1871. (irancl Warden in 
IHO'.i. Deput}^ Grand Master in 187(1. and was Kej)- 
resentative to the Sovereign f^rand Lodge for two 
j-ears. 1872-73. lie was active in organizing the 
lodge here. He was a charter member of his lodge 
in Pennsylvania, was Deputy (irand M.aster and 
Deputy (irand Patriarch, 1). I). (;..AI. of Kisho 
QuilhLs Lodge No. 18 1. I. ().(). F.; was D. 1). (i. 
P. and a member of Juniata Kncampnient No. lit. 
I. O. (). F., of Lewistown. Pa., and member of the 
Grand Lodge and (Jr.nnd Encampment of Penn- 
sylvania. 

The Doctor, in 18(;i. joined the I. ( >. (). F. at 
Three Rivers. Excelsior Lodge No. 8(1. with which 
he was connected for a few years, .\pril IG. 186(j. 
he. with others, helped to organize the Dennis 
Lodge No. 'JO. 1. (). (). F..at Colon, .and he was the 
first N. (;.. the first I). 1). I). M.. and also first 
Representative to thetJrand Lodge of the State. 
representing the lodge for several years in the 
Grand body. He witlnlrew from the .luniata lOii- 
campment and jiiined the Dennis Kncampnient No. 
111. at White Pigeon, of which he remained a mem- 
ber for a number of years, until the institution of 
Curtis Encampment No. ."V.l. I. ( >. (). F., at Three 
Rivers, being one of the charter members, was first 

C. P.and first I). D.G. P.. and was first Representa- 
tive lo the ( irand Encampnn-nt of the State. He 
was the nn-ans of instituting the Daughters of Re- 
becca. Elsie Lodge No. .'L I. O. ( >. F.. and he w.-is 
the first presiding officer. N. G.. first Deputy and 

D. D. G. .M. His wife wa.s also an active member 
of the society. The hwi'^e w;ts organized with 
twenty-six charter members, ladies and irenllenien. 



The Doctor is also identified with the .\. F. A: A. 
.M.. Jis we have before mentioned, and the recipient 
of all the rights of the My.stic Shrine, including the 
thirty-two degrees. Dr. Sides wius also one of 
the originators of the Floral, Horticultural and Avt 
As.sociation, which was organized by several ladies 
and gentlemen. Oct. 8. 187(!. It is an incorixirated 
organization, and our subject is Chairman of the 
]ioard of l)ii-ectors. while his daughter, who hiis the 
fiiu'st fioral collection in Southern .Michigan, was 
President tif the association for six years, and is 
also President of the Woman's Relief Corps. Its 
members give an annual exhibition, and connecte<l 
with it an entertainment of tlu' best talent that can 
be found in the country. They own their own out- 
fit, and have a nice fund on interest. 



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•¥■ f^ <* 



<*' OSES R. DRAPER is a worthy son of one 
of St. Joseph County's first settlers and 
most esteemed citizens. His farm is situ- 
ated on section 2'J of Colon Township, and 
includes forty acres. His parents are Hiram and 
Calista Wilcox Fay Draper. (See sketch of .Mr. 
Hiram Draper.) He was born in Colon Township 
upon the old homestead of his father on the 16th of 
August, 18-f3, and was there reareil to manhood. 
His education was received in the common schools, 
and his training for his chosen occupation was re- 
ceived ni)on the home farm, t^uite earlv in life were 
simple duties a.ssigned him .ind Uisks suited to his 
youth imposed upon him. 

.Starting in life for himselr. our subject engage<l 
in agricidlural pursuits, taking land rjf iiis own, ami 
it was not long before he had a comfortable farm 
drt-elling, the usual out-buildings for farm purposes, 
and was proceeding well with the work of cultivat- 
ing his fields. He is a man who is e.«sentially 
thorough in everything he undertakes. and his farm 
has been attended to year after year in accordance 
with that fixeil principle, ami has been to him per- 
haps the more profitable on that account. 

The subject of our sketch was married at the old 
honiesle.ad on the 17th of April, I8G4. His wife 
was born in Cumberland County. Pa.. Feb. •_'.>, 
I 84". Thi-y are the parents of two children, who 




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248 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



t had 

,fc U J, 



bear the names of Calvin II. .ind Calista B. The 
former is engaged as a druggist at Wells, Minn., 
and is a graduate of Parsons' Business College at 
Kalamazoo; tiie latter is at home. 

Until the year 1886 our subject was more or less 
engaged as his father's chief helper. Then he 
bought a nice farm of forty acres on section 29, 
where he still resides, which, although not the larg- 
est, is in point of producing power equal to any in 
the county, if it does not surpass them. Our sub- 
ject and wife ocenp3- a high place iu the esteem of 
those who know them best, and are respected in the 
community. They are members of liie Methodist 
Church in good standing. Mr. Draper is a member 
of the Self Protection Association, of Burr Oak, and 
in matters political the Republican part3' has long 
counted him as one of its firm adherents. 



_«.., LBERT H. PATRIDGE, an aged citizen of 
W/Lil Leonidas Township, came to this count}' in 
1833, and during the following summer 
was emploj-ed as a carpenter on the old 
Burr Oak Exchange Building in the town of Cen 
treville. Michigan was then a Territory, and a 
gooill}' proportion of the population were afflicted 
with the old-fashioned ague, which claimed our sub- 
ject also as one of its victims. On account of this 
he returned as far East as New York State, where 
he had previously lived. 

A native of New England, our subject was born 
in the little city of Barre, Worcester Co., Mass., 
Jan. ly. 1811. lie has thus more than spanned his 
threescore years and ten. lie continued a resident 
of the Bay State until twent}- years of age, then 
made his way to the citj' of Boston, and was em- 
ployed in the capacitj' of tollman on the ferry 
running between the Hub and Chelsea. He was 
occupied thus for six months, then returned to his 
native town, which, however, he left soon afterward 
for Ontario Countj', N. Y. There he located in 
Naples, and was cmploj'ed at cabinet work until 
starting for Michigan in 1832. After Ins contr.ict 
in connection with the Exchange Building had ter- 
minated, he returned to Naples, N. Y., where he 
had a brother residing, and for three years there- 



after was emplo3-ed at cabinet work in that locality. 
In 1833, having not yet recovered from his Western 
fever, he returned once more to this county, witli the 
determination of making it his future home. He 
soon secured possession of a tract of land embrac- 
ing the present site of the Grove school-house in 
Leonidas Township, and there lived about four 
years, emplo^'ed as a carpenter and joiner. Next 
he removed to Centreville, was employed in a cabi- 
net-shop several months, then returned to Leonid.as. 
and at that place and Factoryville followed his 
trade for several years. On account of rheuma- 
tism, however, he determined upon a change of 
occupation, and located on a tract of wild land on 
section 3, in Leonidas Township, where he has 
since lived. The country at that time was mostly 
wilderness, and Mr. Patridge, imbued with the gen- 
uine pioneer spirit, began to wrestle with the soil 
and build up a homestead. He has nearly 100 
acres of his land under a good state of cultivation, 
and a good set of frame buildings, including a com- 
fortable residence, a good barn, and the other 
structures required for his convenience and the suc- 
cessful prosecution of his calling. 

Mr. Patridge was first married in Leonidas Town- 
ship, this countj'. to Miss Versilda D. Pierce, who 
became the mother of one child, a daughter, Lavina, 
who is now the wife of William McCoy, and lives 
with the subject of our sketch. The mother died 
in 1848. Our subject in 1850 contracted a second 
marriage, with Mrs. Cornelia (Noyes) Eggleston, 
widow of Nathaniel H. Eggleston, who died Dec. 
24, 1846, and daughter of Samuel and Jane B. 
Noj'cs. Her parent.s were natives of Connecticut 
and Vermont respectively. Of her union with our 
subject there have been born four chililren: Julia 
1., the eldest, is at home with her parents; Martha 
J. is the wife of Truman Percj'. of Vicksburg, this 
Slate; M.ary E., Mrs. Enimett Thomas, lives on a 
farm in Leonidas Township; James A., the second 
born, was married and located upon a farm, where 
his death took place Dec. 5, 1877. 

Our subject, politically, uniformly voles the 
Democratic ticket. Although i)erhaps not the hero 
of anj' astonishing event, he has pursued the peace- 
able career of an honest and law-abiding citizen, 
and has thus added to the morality and well-being 



.t 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



•249 



of his community-, wlio hold liim in respect., and 
give liim duo ciedii for his industry and his well- 
or(li're<l life. Mis. I'Mtiidjre imd one st)n by iier 
first marriage, William II.: he died in Andersonville 
Prison in 18G4. 



ff_^ KNRV GKMBKRLINO is an enterprising 
TT)!^' farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 
1, Fabius Township. His is one of the best 
managed farms in this locality, anil its 
finely tilled acres, neat and well-kept buildings, un 
surpassed by anj' others in the township, are sure 
indications that he is a practical, thrift}', industri- 
ous man. 

Mr. Gemberling was born in Snyder County, Pa., 
May 22, 1833. and is the son of Philip and Susan 
(Krhhart) (iemberling, natives of Pennsylvania. 
Our subject was reared on a farm in his native 
St.ite. and thus acquired a good knowledge of agri- 
culture in all its branches. His opportunities for 
an education, however, were limited, but in after 
.years he acquired much through the exercise of his 
keen observing powers, and is to-d.-i}- a well-in- 
formed man. He remained an inmate of the parental 
household, assisting his father in the manage- 
ment i/f his farm, until about the time of his mar- 
riage, when he started out in life to built up a home 
for himself and his bride. His marriage with Miss 
Klvina Picard took place Dec. 18, 1855. She is a 
native of .Snyder Count}', Pa., and a daughter of 
Raphael aniJ Rebecca (Martz) Picani, natives of 
Germany and Pennsylvania respectively. 

About a year after his marriage .Mr. Gember- 
ling moved with his wife to Ohio, and there carried 
on farming in Seneca and adjoining counties for 
about four years. He then came to this .State, at- 
tracteil hither by the fine farmingcountr}' embraced 
within the limits of St. Joseph County, hoping 
on its rich, alluvial soil to be enabled to pursue 
his chosen occupation with still better financial 
results than had heretofore rewarded his assiduous 
laliors. He first settled on a place now known as 
the .Schnrtz farm, on wlijch he lived with his family 
and carried on agriculture with a good degree of 
success for some seven years. After the death of 



the owner of the place, Frederic Schurtz, Mr. 
Gemberling bought a part t>f the farm which he 
had been renting. He was enabled to do this 
only by the practice of the closest economy and a 
wise and shrewd management of his affairs, as at 
tiiat time he had met with some heavy losses in cat- 
tle and horses. He had ixho had to pay out ^300 
for a substitute, as he was drafted, and was unable 
to leave home under the existing circumstances. 
His farm was provided with a little log house, 
and in that humble abode be and his family lived 
for (.me year, when he commenced building the sub- 
stantial and commodious dwelling in which they now 
m.ake their home, and to erect the other conveui- 
entl}' arranged farm buildings that now adorn his 
place. His land is under excellent till.age, and is 
also well adapted to stock-raising, to which he pays 
much attention. 

The wedded life of our subject and his good wife 
has been blessed to them by the birth of six chil- 
dren, as foUow.s; Susan, Ellen; Lizzie, now Mrs. 
Martin Brown, of Three Rivers; Emma, Katie and 
Clara. Mr. Gemberling has taken a great deal of 
interest in educational matters, anxious not onl}' to 
secure to his own children opportunities of attend- 
ing good schools, but to have all in the neighbor- 
hood to enjoy the same high privilege, and he has 
served acceptably on the .School Board for many 
years. Mr. and Mrs. Gemberling are members of 
the Reformed Church, of Three Rivers. Their kind- 
ness and helpfulness toward others have won for 
them the regard of their fellow-citizens, and in 
ever}' respect they are well worth}' of representa- 
tion in this Ai.BL'M. 



S - 3 'I' : 2 

IRAM PL'LVER. a prominent and exten- 

Jlj sive farmer and stock-raiser, residing on 
^' section 2, Fabius Township, well rejjre.sents 
.v^ those interests in .St. Joseph County. He is 
a keen, enterprising, far-seeing man. of rare energy 
and stability of character, and to the.se traits he 
owes his success in life, as he commenced to make 
his own way in the world with no tither capital 
than a clear brain and brawny nmscles, and from 
that lime to this he has never borrowed a dollar 



f 250 



4^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 




from any one, Imt lins himself unassisted made all 
tliat he owns. 

Mr. Pulver was born in Yates County. X. Y., 
l'\'b. 11, 1«27. Vieinjr tiie .second child in the fam- 
ily of eight born to Wandle and Ann (lliserodt) 
Pulver. His parents were of Dutch origin, and 
natives of Dutchess County. N. Y. In 1828 they 
removed with their children to Wayne County, 
N. v., where the elder Pulver became actively en- 
gaged in farming. 

Hiram Pulver was reared in Wayne County, 
N. v.. and there he lived until his twenty-second 
year. His boyhood days were passed on a farm 
and in attending the district school, where he ac- 
(juired a fair education. He was married, in Feb- 
ruary. IM.'jO. to Miss Emily King, and soon after 
ills marriage started by the Panama rout(^ for Cali- 
fornia, where he hoped to obtain a fortune for 
himself .and his young wife. He remained in the 
••(iolden State" twenty-one months, and during 
that time he accumulated aliout Ji2.000 worth of 
gold. With this he returned to his old home in 
New York, having resolved to devote himself to 
farming, and he there bought fifty -two acres of 
land. In Peliruary. 18.')2, after a l)rief married life 
of just two years, his wife departed this life, leav- 
ing one child. Wandle, who is now married, and 
lives on one of liis father's farms. 

In 18j3 Mr. Pulver resolved to dispose of his 
property in New York, and try farming on the rich 
alluvial soil of Miciiignn, wiiicli had not been worn 
out by m.any years of cultivation. Carrying his 
resolution into effect, he locatctl in St. Joseph 
County, having bought a farm in Paliius Town- 
shii>. He lived here and improved .and tilled his 
land assiduously for some years. In the fall of 
18(55 lie sold out and moved to Cass Ct)unty. where 
he bought over 2O0 .acres of land wiiere Marcellus 
Centre now st.ands. He imme<liately, with charac- 
teristic energy, employed himself in removing the 
forest trees from it and getting it ready to culti- 
vate. In 186!), however, he again sold out. and 
then came to his present place of residence. Hy a 
jutlicious investment of liis hard-earned monej- he 
has gre.atly increased his |)roi)erty. and the extent 
of his farms and liis landed estate now amounts to 
00 acres in different parts of the county. He has 



erected good, substantial buildings, has his land 
under the best of culture, and everything about his 
estate that is under his direct management indi- 
cates tli.at as a practical, metiiodical agriculturist 
there are but fi>w. if any. in this county that can 
surpass him. 

Jlr. Pulver was married to his present wife, who 
has ably seconded his efforts to gain a competence. 
in October, 1855. Her maiden name was Lucina 
Hrodv. By this marriage there have been born 
two children: Louis Kinney, who lives with his 
parents, and Alma, who died at the age of twenty- 
five. 

As a prompt, sagacious, wide-awake business 
man, Mr. Pulver wields considerable influence in 
this community, and his fellow-citizens, realizing 
that his counsels in the administration of public 
affairs would be of inestimable value, have reix-at- 
edly urged him to accept office, but allliough he 
is liberal and public-spirited to a degree, yet he 
utterly refuses to accept any civic position, except 
th.at of Pathm.oster. and th.at only because he likes 
to have good roads, and it is especially due to his 
exertions that Fabius can boast of as fine highways 
as are to be found in any township in St. Joseph 
or surrounding counties. In his political views 
Mr. I'ulver is a '•straight-out" Democrat, and does 
what he can to promote the i^iolicj- of his party. 



^s^EORGE SMALL. In'the present biography 
f|[ ,^=; is offered in compendious form the history 
^^^ of the ex-Supervisor of Colon Township, 
an<l in that connection very favorably known in the 
county, a man respected among his fellows, and 
having an influence which is carefully exercised 
among- them. The father of this gentleiran was 
Charles Small, who was born in the county of Kent, 
England. His iiiolher. who was born and brought 
up near the lioiiie of her hii.-baiul. was prior to her 
marriage Miss Louisa Else. They were married anil 
settled in their native county, making tlieir home 
there until the year 1853. Actuated with Uie <lesire 
to know more of the great Western Continent, 
which at some time or another seems to seize every 
enterjirising. progressive and ambitions spirit, ihey 



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,t 



4 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



■i:> 1 



<)ctermine<l to come to this coiiiitrj'. This the}' did 
ill the year 1S.53, settling in Spi-ingfichl. N. Y.; in 
1H()4 they came to Michigan and located at Clay- 
Ion, ill Dover Township, whence tliey removed to 
Camden, in Hillsdale County, the same State, where 
the father died in 1874. His wife still survives. 

The famil}' of which our subject is a member in- 
cluded fourteen children, of whom George was 
the fourth child born. He was also born in Kent, 
the day of his nativity being the 11 th of March, 
1830. He was reared upon a farm and has been 
more or less connected with agricultural life ever 
since. He did not leave Kngland until 184'J, then 
went to the home at Springlield. After that he 
remained with his parents until the spring of 1868. 
when he came to this count}- and settled in Colon 
Township on section 9, where he |)urchased 120 : 
acres of land upon which he has since been a resident. 

The marriage of our subject was celel>rated upon 
the 22d of February, 18.>4, at Springdcld. Oswego 
Co., N. Y. The maiden of his choice was Miss 
Mary K. Waldby. daughter of Richard and Leah 
(Sitt>) Waldby. This was a Yorkshire family; her 
jwrents had settled in Springfield. N. Y.. and after- 
ward removed to Minden. Montgomery County. 
They were the parents of three children, their 
daughter Marj- being the eldest. She w.is born at 
Springlield. >'. Y., on the 20th of February. 1835. 
There h.is been given to our subject and wife one 
child, who received the name M.arion E. .She is 
now the wife of Martin C. Blanchard. of Colon 
Township, and is the mother of five children, whose 
names are as follows: Lewis V.. Clifford G.. Hurla 
K.. Hoy F. and Liila G. 

-Mr. Small has held the office of Sujiervisor of 
Colon Township for three years, and that of Drain 
Commissioner for two years, besides several si-hool 
otlices. In |>olilics he is .n stanch and active mem- ' 
ber of the Kepublicnn |)arty, and h.is always ac- 
knowledged allegiance thereto. He is a man of 
large interests in the welfare of the county, and luos 
always exhibited anxiety to further the interests 
thereof. Mr. and Mrs. Small are members in good 
slaiuling of the 1'. of H.. in which both are at all 
times cordially received. Mrs. .Small is a lady who 
has always lieen very careful to $tip|M)rl the rela- 
tions sustained in the domestic circle in a manner 



that is indeed most enviable where a similar condi- 
tion of things does not exist, although it is pat- 
ent that the cause is the same that led her to link 
her life with our sulijcct. 

Mrs. Small's grandfather, Henry Sitts, was a Cap- 
tain in the Revolutionary War and helped to capture 
Capt. Brant, the Indian chief who w.os sc< exten- 
sively engaged in the m.issacre of the white settlers. 



-i»t> 



^^ 



•<tf5cs> 



^^^ born up 



IIARLES T. KXGLE, a son of one of the 
pioneers of Nottawa Township, w.os 
ipon the homestead where he now re- 
sides .June 20, 1847. Here he has always lived, 
and it is hardly necessary to s.ay that it possesses for 
him far more than a moneyed value. The farm itself 
is one of the finest in this part of the township, hav- 
ing undergone a process of thorough cultivation, 
and is 1 4G acres in extent. The buildings are con- 
venient and subst-intial. and meet all the require- 
ments of the modern anil progressive agriculturist. 
Thomas Engle, the father of our subject, was 
born in Livingston County. N. Y.. where he spent 
the years of his infancy and earl}' youth and man- 
hood, and was married to Miss Sarah Rynearson, 
who was born in Susquehanna County. Pa. Soon 
after uniting their lives and fortunes they clecidetl 
to cast their lot with the pioneers of Michigan Ter- 
ritory. In 1830 the grandfather of our subject, 
.lonathan Engle. secured a tr.ict of wild land now 
embraced in the present homestead, and comprising 
a portion of section 9. His neighbors were few and 
far between, and wild animals of all kinds abounded. 
After his marriage Thomas Engle moved inUj the 
first schof)l-bouse built in the township, in which 
the subject of this sketch was born, and proceeded 
after the manner of the early settlers to till the soil 
and build up a home. He endured his full share of 
the difficulties and dangers wliicli then beset the peo- 
ple of that region, but was amply prepared for the 
emergency, being of courageous heart and stout 
muscle. and in lime his labors met with their legit- 
imate reward. The parents occupied the homestead 
thus built up until the death of the father, wliicli 
occurred Feb. 14, 187.'). The mother subsequently 



r* 



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252 



ST, JOSEPH COUNTY. 



went with her dnughter and lived in Ccntieville, 
where her death took place April 29, 1887. 

To Thomas and Sarah Engle there were horn five 
children, two sons and three daughters, namely: 
Watts A., Charles T., Georgie A.. Eva C. and Rosa. 
Of these three are living and all residents of this 
oounty. Charles T. was the second son and child, 
and spent his boyhood and youth in common with 
his brothers and sisters, assisting as he was able in 
planting, sowing and reaping, and acquiring a lim- 
ited education in the pioneer school. When about 
thirty years old, thinking he would like a change 
of occu|)ation he engaged Tn the livery business at 
Ccntreville, but one year of this satisfied him and 
he returned to the pursuits of agriculture, which he 
has since closely followed. 

The subject of this sketch was born .June 20, 
1847, and when twenty-two years of age began 
the establishment of a home of his own. On the 
;50th of August. 1 8G9. he was married to Miss Grace 
M.. daughter of Dr. A. B. and Lucj' (Burrell) Ilale, 
of St. .Joseph County. Mrs. Engle was born on the 
I'.Uh (.if March. lt<al,in Calhoun County, Mich.. and 
remained under the home roof until her marriage, 
receiving carelul training from her excellent parents 
and a common-school education. Her parents were 
natives of New York and Massachusetts, and spent 
thcii- Iast3-c.ars in Kalamazoo Count}-. Mich. Mr. and 
Mrs. Engle have no children. Mr. E. lakes very 
little interest in politics, but when casting his vote 
at the general elections indicates his preference for 
the prii]cii)les of the Democratic party. He is bear- 
ing in a most w(jrthy manner the mantle of his 
honored father, and keeping up the estate in the 
old-time tlH.irougli and profitable manner. 

(^^HEODOHE W. ROYS. The subject of this 
iti^^ biography occupies no unimportant position 
^^^ among the leading men of St. Joseph County. 
those who have contributed to its development, ajvd 
who b3' their own industry have set jui examine 
worthy of imitation, and by their intelligence dj-awu 
around Ihem a class of people who are a credit to 
any communit\-. Mr. Hoj's owns one of the inost 
beautiful homesteads in N.Ottawa Towjiship, thie 



farm being embellished with fine improvements in 
the shape of buihlings, and the dwelling with its 
surroundings especiall}' attractive. The hand of 
industrj' is apparent on all sides, while the home is 
replete with those evidences of taste and culture 
which are so pleasing to the ej'e. and which indicate 
the degree in which civilization has crept westward. 

In reverting to tiie life history of an individual 
it is natural to glance back to those from whom he 
drew his origin. Our subject is the son of Truman 
and Eunice (Whitemore) Roj's, who were natives of 
Connecticut, where thej' were reared and educated. 
They were married in New York, and settled in 
Onond.iga Count}', where the father secured a tract 
of land, and engaged in farming the balance of his 
life. He died at the old homestead in Onondaga 
County in middle life, about 1839. The mother 
survived her husban<l a j)eriod of thirt^'-six years, 
remaining a widow, and ile|)arting this life at Mar- 
cellus, Onondaga Co., N. Y.,in 1875. The parental 
household included two sons and six daughters, 
five of whom arc living. 

Mr. Roys was the third child of his parents, and 
was born at the homestead in Onondaga County, 
N. Y., not far from the town of Otisco, May G, 1 829. 
He was a lad only ten years of age at the time of 
his father's death, and was then Uikeu into the home 
of his maternal grandparents, with whom he lived 
until a youth of sixteen years. About that time 
the death of his grandfather occurred, and after- 
ward Mr. Roj's worked out upon farms in the 
vicinit}' of the old home, and remained a resident 
of his native county until coming to Michigan in 
18,54. He was then a man of twenty-five j'ears, 
but still unmarried, having resolved to lay the foun- 
dation of a competence before taking upon himself 
the responsibilities of a family. 

The bachelor days of Mr. Roys, however, eniled 
Pec. 19, 1855, when he was united in marri.age with 
one of the most estimable Kidies of this county, 
Miss Mary Renner, daughter of Daniel and Rebecca 
iienner, and sister of Mrs. Charles King, a sketch 
of whom will be found on another page of this 
volume, togetlicr with the parental history. Mrs. 
Boys was born in Union County, Pa., Nov. 8, 1833, 
and came to .Michigan with her parents when a 
(iliiid. Of her union with our subject there have 



•* t X * 



ST. .lOSKPlI COUNTY. 



•2M 



been born two children, one of whom. Ida E.. died 
when lhirt3'-one years old. This diiiijiliter had al- 
ways lived at home, performing licr lillinl duties in 
a must endearing manner, and her death was a 
heavy blow to the stricken parents. She was greatly' 
beloved liy the people of her comniunity. possess- 
ing more than ordinary intelligence and amiability 
of disposition. Their only son and ciiild, William 
H.. was horn in 1858, and lives at home with his 
parents. 

Mr. lloj's began the building up of his homestead 
in 18G2, with a capital of ¥300. In looking upon 
his surroundings to-day. it must be confessed that 
he has employed his time to excellent advantage, 
and been remarkably fortunate in his investments. 
The homestead embraces 113 acres of good land, 
which has been brought to a fine state of cultiva- 
tion, and all the improvements have been made In- 
the present proprietor. Mr. Roys is a man held in 
high regard by his fellow-citizens, is thorough and 
skillful as a farmer, prompt and reliable as a busi- 
ness man, and in short, possesses all the qualities of 
H valued member of the community. 

JOSEPH ORVIS U'ARRKN, whose residence 
is in Nottawa Township, is a gentleman 
widely ami favorably known throughout this 
section of St. .Joseph County, and recog- 
nized as among its most intelligent citizens, thor- 
oughly educated and being possessetl of more than 
ordinary ability. The j'ounger j'cars of his man- 
hood were employed principally as a teacher, in 
which profession he excelled, meeting with more 
than ordinary success. He hiis alw.ays been fond 
of rurjd life and it,s pursuits, loving the pleasures 
and employments of the country, and is now located 
on a snug homestead of fortj' acres on section 2.5, 
where he has erected good buildings, makes a spe- 
cialty of market gardening, and is in the enjoyment 
of all the comforts and many of the luxuries of 
life. 

Our subject was born in New York March 29, 
1830, and is the son of Albert and Emory (Hil- 
drcth) Warren, the father a native of Vermont and 
the mother of Connecticut. They were married in 



I Brandon, N. Y.. and settled at Malone. same .State, 
where they lived a few years, then turned their 
faces toward what was then the Far West, going 
into Illinois, where the father had taken up a Gov- 
ernment claim previously, settling among the ear- 
liest pioneers of that region, when their neighbors 
were few and far between. 

The journey of the parents of our subject from 
the Empire State to Illinois was made with an ox- 
team, and w.as necessarily lengthy and tedious. On 
the ro.ad Mr. Warren was induced to exchange his 
Eastern money for some of the "wihl-cat" currency 
of Michigan, which was practically worthless, and 
on account of this mistake he was unable to go as 
far as he had at first intended, stopping in the em- 
bryo town of Monroe, where he eng.aged in farm- 
ing, and lived there about three years. In 1837 he 
came into St. .Joseph Count}' and took up a Gov- 
ernment claim of 160 .acres in the vicinity of which 
is now situated the town of Mendon. Nearly all 
the members of the family were atllicted with the 
ague, and Mr. Warren was obliged to part with his 
team of oxen in order to pay the doctor. Amid 
these discouragements he abandoned his claim, and 
removing to Centreville secured employment as 
turnkey at the old log jail, which was. about 183G, 
destroyed by fire. He got his house rent free for 
his services in taking care of the jail. He was con- 
siderable of a mechanic, and by carpentering and 
cobbling was enabled to keep hunger from the 
door. He finally built up a very good business, 
giving employment to several men in the manu- 
facture of boots and shoes. His was the only estab- 
lishment of the kind in that vicinit}' for years. 

In the coui-se of time the father of our subject 
was enabled to secure eighty acres of land in Colon 
Township, upon which he settled, cleared it from 
the timber, developed a goo<l farm, and at one tiuje 
possessed the finest fruit orchard in the count}'. 
Upon this homestead he spent the remainder of his 
life, a period of thirt}' years, and died Oct. 16, 
1882. at the advanced age of eightj"-two. having 
been born in 1800. The faithful wife and mother 
is still living, making her home with her son. our 
subject, and has arrived at the advanced age of 
eighty-four. The parental household included five 
children, who were named respectively: .1. Orvis, 



-■-4^ 



* 






^•i^H* 



254 



.ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



i' 



Ezm. Liit-y .1.. Caroline anrl Leonora. Of these 
four are livinjr. Kzra iluring the Civil War enlisted 
in the 1 llh Michigan Infantry, anrl died in the hos- 
pital at Bardstown, K\'., while on duty in Ken- 
tucky; Lucy is the wife of Merritt Lantb, of Grand 
Rapids; Caroline married Alvah Mettler, and died 
in Xottawa Township about 1873; Leonora is the 
wife of Calvin Eberliardt. of Colon. 

Our subject came to Michigan with his father, and 
resided with him in Centreville until the latter re- 
moved to his farm in Colon Townshi|>. After- 
ward he continued in that town until 1864. In the 
meantime he was married in Cohjn Village. Oct. 25, 
1855. to Jliss Wealthy, daughter of John and 
Amanda (Wilcox) Belote. The father of Mrs. 
Warren w.is a native of New York State, and the 
mother of Connecticut. After marriage they set- 
tled in Claj-. Onondaga Co., Is. Y., living there un- 
til 1835, wlien they set their faces toward the 
farther West, moving into Michigan Territor3' and 
settling in Colon Township. A few years later they 
changed their residence to Nottawa Township, 
wheie they spent the remainder of their lives, the 
mother dying in 1852. and the father, surviving a 
period of thirteen years, passing away in 1 865. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Belote theie were born eight chil- 
dren, who lived to mature years. One daughter, 
Mary A., <Iied in New York, about 1838; Isaac 
died in 1 864 ; Asa, formerly a resident of Minnesota, 
died about 1873; Milton died in Burr Oak in 1867; 
Amanda is the wife of Henrj' Dudly, of Burr Oak; 
Eleanor married J. .S. Klady. who is now deceased; 
Wealthy, Mrs. Warren, was next to the 30ungest; 
her younger brother, James, is a resident of Cen- 
treville; he served three years in the late war, and 
was captured and imprisoned at Belle Isle three 
months. 

Mrs. Warren was born in the town of Clay, 
Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 20, 1832. She spent 
her childluiod and youth in this county, and lived 
with her parents until her marriage. Of her union 
with our subject there are three children — John A., 
Adelbert and Ella. The latter is the wife of John 
Schofield, of Cohoes. N. Y. Mr. Warren, politi- 
cally, is a sound Republican, but has never aspired 
to office, although serving as School Inspector in 
his district. When a youth of sixteen years his 




father gave him his time, ami he devoted the monej* 
earned thereafter to his education. Upfm complet- 
ing his studies he engaged in teaching, and followed 
this profession thirty seasons in succession. One 
year he was Principal of the school at Lima. Ind. 
Mrs. Warren, like her husband, was occupied as a 
teacher about six years prior to her marriage. 

Adelbert Warren, who was born in 1858. is a 
young man of line business capacities and prosper- 
ously engaged as a farmer in Logan County. The 
famil}' is widely and favorably known throughout 
this section of country, and Jlr. Warren is num- 
bered among its most capable men. 

■ :g^J#^: : i- 

AVID KING. The main points in the 
)) history of this well-to-do farmer of Colon 
Township are as follows: He is the third 
child of David F. and Jane (Wetherhagg) 
King, and was born in Lincolnshire, England. Jan. 
31, 1827. The comforts by which he and his family 
are surrounded arc indicative of the industry and 
pereeverance which have marked his career. In 
the sketch of his brother. Charles King, another 
well-known citizen of the township, will be found 
ap extended sketch of the parents. 

AVhen a lail of seven years David King crossed 
liie Atlantic with liis parents, and, young as he was, 
remembers man}' of the incidents of the preparation 
and the after voyage on the ocean. The family 
landed in New York. and. proceeding directly- west- 
ward, came to this count}', where they took up 
their permanent abode. Here young King received 
his first lessons in farming, and for a period of five 
or six years he aided as he could around the home- 
stead, and |)ursued his lessons in the common school. 
The advantages of those days, however, were ex- 
tremel}* limited, but the lioy, with more than or- 
dinary intelligence, grew uj) into a well-informed 
man. keeping his ej-es open to what was going on 
around him in the world. 

Mr. King remained a member of the parental 
househcjld until twenty-two years of age. In the 
spring of 1801 he went over into Branch County, 
and purchased forty acres <>f land in I'nion Town- 
ship, upon which he settled and remained until the 



:Tt::M^ 



-4»- 



•*^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



25.1 



spriiis; of IMG.'). Tlicn. si'llinjj f)iit. Iip returiieil to 
Colon 'rown.slii]), this oouiit^-, ami ])iircli;>sp(l llie 
lanil which he now occupies, ami which lies on sec- 
tions 17 and l.H. Here lie has eighty-eight acres, 
which he has hrought to a good state of ctdtivntion, 
and npon which he liiis set out a fine orchanl, 
erected a neat and suhstantini dwelling, and the 
other farm hiiildings necessary f<jr his comfort and 
convenience. 

Mr. King was first married in .June. 1.SG1. to Miss 
Martha SterTis, who was horn and reared in Union 
Township, Branch Co., Mich. Her parents were 
Asa and Susanna Sterns. Mrs. King onl}' survived 
her marriage a period of four yi'ars. her death tak- 
ing place July 4. I860, ilr. King, in April, 1874, 
contracted a second marriage, with Mrs. Cart)line 
(Dale) Dean, the widow of Jacoli Dean, a well-to- 
do farmer of Branch County. Of her first mar- 
riage there was horn one child, a son, Henr}' E., who 
still remains with his mf»ther. Mrs. (."aroline King 
was born April 4, IK.^0, in Williams County. Ohio, 
and is the daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth 
(Barrett) Dale, who were natives of Pennsylvania 
and New York respectively. Her parents' family 
included nine children, six of whom are still living. 
To our sid)ject and his present wife there has been 
horn one child only, a daughter, Marj- J. .She is a 
bright and interesting maiden of thirteen years, 
having been born June 23, 1875. Mr. King, polit- 
ically, is an earnest supporter of Democratic princi- 
ples, but has little to do witli public affairs, preferring 
to give his time and attention to his farm and his 
family. 

'-•^^♦^CfWf-. * 



JOSEPH H. HASBROUCK. This gentleman 



deserves especial mention as being one of 



1 

^^1 the most public-spirited citizens of St. 
{\&fj Joseph County, liberal minded and enter- 
prising, and one wlr» has been of essential value in 
the development of this portion of the countj', 
with whose interests he has been closely identified 
for many years. He is the owner of some line farm 
property located on section 27. Nottawa Township, 
adjacent to the village. 

Our subject is the offspring of a gooil famil}', be- 
ing the son of John and Rjichel A. (Traphagen) 



Ilasbronck, who were natives respectively of Ulster 
County, N. Y., and Passaic County. N. J. The ma- 
ternal grandparents removed to the Empire .State 
in earl}' da3-s, where their daughter Kachel was mar- 
ried, and settled with her husband for a time in Ul- 
ster County, N. Y. Thence the parents of our subject 
in the spring of 18G1 came to this count}-, set- 
tling first in Lockport Township. Eight years 
later they changed their residence to Centreville. 
where the father died in the fall of 18C9. The 
mother is still living. 

The parental household of our subject included 
eight children, five sons and three daughters, and 
Joseph B. was the fourth in order of birth. He 
first opened his eyes to the light in New Hurle}-, 
Ulster Co., N. Y., Jan. 4, 1840, was reared at the 
old homestead in the Empire State, and conned his 
lessons in the district school. He was twentj'-one 
years old upon coming to this count}', and lived 
with his parents in Lockport Township for a period 
of eight years. Afterward he made his home 
principally in Centreville a jjcriod of ten years, 
where he conducted a meal-market. In the spring 
of 1878 he moved to the farm he now owns and 
occupies, and which from its near location to the 
village of Nottawa is valuable. It comprises 130 
jicre.s. with good buildings and all the other appli- 
ances of the well-regulated suburban home. 

Mr. Hasbrouck was first married in Centreville 
on the evening of Dec. 25, 18G9, to Miss Jennie 
Blair, who only lived a few years, her decease tak- 
ing pl.ace in Centreville, June 15, 1873. Our sub- 
ject contracted a second marriage in Centreville, 
.Sept. 9, 1877, with Miss Elizabeth Strong, adopted 
daughter of Kenssalaer and Ann B. (Oviatt) .Strong. 
Mr. Strong came to this county from Genesee 
County, N. Y., in June, 183G, and settled in Not- 
tawa Township, of which he and his estimable wife 
were residents for a period of forty years, and where 
they lookefl their Last upon the scenes of earth. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Hasbrouck was born in this 
county, Dec. 4, 1840. ami is the daughter of Joseph 
and Amanda (Wheeler) Alger. Her jmrents were 
natives of Vermont, and came to this county dur- 
ing its pioneer days. The father about 1849 started 
for the Pacific Slope, and died on the plains. The 
mother died in Sherman Township about 1H42. To 




J. 



-•► 



25C 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



Mr. and Mrs. Hashronck there have been bom two 
ehihiren. botli sons. Ilarry S. aiitl Frank C, who 
are at home. 

Our subject, politicallj'. votes the straight Re- 
publican ticket, anrl has held the office of Justice of 
the Peace a number of years. Botii he and his 
estimaljje wife are members in good standing of 
the Reform Ciuirch. For nearly- ten years prior to 
her marriage Mrs. Hasbrouck was a very success- 
ful teacher of music. She is a very pleasant and 
amiable lady, and is well known all over this part 
of the countj'. where she as well as her husband has 
hosts of friends. 

In the fall of IS7-J Mr. Hasbrouck took a trip to 
Texas, and remained in the Lone Star State a period 
of eiglit months. In the meantime he contracted 
to furnish the bridge and spile timber for the 
Ilousatonic & Great Northern Railwa}-. The enter- 
prise proved successful, and the sojourn in the 
Southwest partieularlj' pleasant. 



t 



W 






-!«=$= 



II. CIIIVKRS, M. D., is a flue represent- 
i\ /W« ative of the medical profession of St. Jo- 
WHl seph Count3-, being one of its leading 
physicians and surgeons. He is plea.santly located 
in the town of Colon, where he enjoys a large prac- 
tice. He is a native of London, England, born in 
1851, to Henry and Ann (Nowel) Chiver.s, natives 
of England. They came to America with their 
family in 1861, and arrived in Hudson. Lenawee 
County, this State, on the 4th of July, that year. 
His father has since then been actively identified 
with the agricultural interests of Southern Michi- 
gan, and is now extensively engaged in farming in 
Hillsdale County'. He and his estimable wife are 
genial, intelligent people, and are valued members 
of the communitj' where the}' reside, commanding 
the full respect and esteem of all by whom they are 
known. They have had eight children, six of whom 
are living. 

Dr. Chivers, of whom we write, was the third 
child of these wortlu' people, and as he was but ten 
years of age when he accompanied them across the 
waters from the land of his birth to their new home 



in this countr}', he has grown to manhood and 
passed the most important years of his life in the 
United States. He was educated in the schools of 
Lenawee Count}-, in the town of Hudson. Possess- 
ing a decided predilection fur the study of medi- 
cine, he earl}' set about obtaining the means to 
pursue it. and we find him when quite young suc- 
cessfully engaged in teaching for a number of 
terms. He subsequently entered the Detroit Medi- 
cal School, well prepared to pursue the prescribed 
course of instruction, as he had employed his leisure 
time in studying. He was gra<luated from that 
institution in 1877, having stood high in his classes 
throughout the course. He commenced the practice 
of his profession in Prattville, Hillsdale County, 
where he continued to reside until 1881, when a 
fine opening in the town of Colon induced hira to 
come here and open an office. He is a man whose 
clear, cool head, steady nerve, and rich mental en- 
dowments, eminentl}' fit him for the profession of a 
physician, as is attested by the reputation he h.as 
won for skill and success in liis treatment of diffi- 
cult cases. 

The Doctor w.is married in Hillsdale Count}', in 
December, 1875, to Miss Lois Downer, who was 
born in Hillsdale County in 1851. She was the 
sixth in a family of seven children, six of whom 
are living, born to the Rev. S. B. and Abigail (Pix 
ley) Downer, natives of New York. They came to 
Michigan at an early date, her father at that time be- 
ing minister in charge of the Prattville Congrega- 
tional, formerly the Method ist Episcopal Church, and 
he is well known tln'oughout Lenawee ami Hillsdale 
Counties; he and his wife still make their home 
in the latter county. To Dr. and Mrs. Chivers one 
child, Roy, has been born. He is now ten years 
of age, and is attending school. The Doctor and 
his wife are members of the Congregational Church, 
of Prattville. He is identified with the I. O. O. F., 
of Colon. The Doctor is independent in his political 
views, voting for whom he considers the best men, 
although he is in full sympathy with the principles 
of the Democratic party. He is a radical temper- 
ance man, and in his own life illustrates the ad- 
vantages of possessing that virtue. He is a |)romiuent 
member of the .State Medical Association, and be- 
longs to the local Board of Health, and he has done 



■^•■ 



^i^h-^ 



hT. .IDSEIMI COUNTY. 



2.) 7 



iiiiu'h tu promote sanitary measures in this town. 
The Uoi-tor is interesterl in a drug-store here, which 
is mnii!i<:ci) imdiT the Srni iiiinic of .1. K. C'hivers Ar 
Co., aiifi It i-arrics a heavy slock of goods in the drug 
line, besides hooks, stationery, and a fine assortment 
of jewelry, anil does an extensive business. 

-^ -#-«#- *<— 



(( 



OllN I.KIIK. one of the solid men of Not- 
tnwa Townsliij). owns a good farm of lid 
acres occupying a [xirtion of section 12. He 
is a gentleman well known and highly re- 
spected in this region, the .Mm of .lobn and Anna 
(Peters) I.ehr. who were natives of rcnnsylvania. 
anil died in what was then In ion County, but is 
now Snyder ('ount_v, Pa. The parental family con- 
sisted of eight children, of whom .lohn was the 
fifth in order of birth. lie was born in the county 
above mentioned May lil. 1832. where he spent his 
boyhood and youth, being re.nred up<m the home 
farm. 

^\'hen a young man of twenty years our subject, 
leaving the Keystone State, ni.ade his w.ay to San- 
dusky County. Ohio, where he learned the trade of 
carpenter, and sojourned for a period of four years. 
In the spring of 1)S.'>7 he made his way to Michiaan. 
taking u]) his abode lirst at Three Hivei"s. where he 
followed his trade until ready to buy a farm. He 
then selected a tract of land in Nottawa Township, 
much of which was covered with timber. He felled 
the trees by the laborious process known to those 
days, destroying by burning timber which would 
now bring a snug sum of money. He enilurcd in 
common with the people around him the hardships 
and dilliculties of life in a new settlement, and now. 
in the enjoyment of a large portion of the good 
things of life, is reaping the reward of his toils. 

Over thirty years ago. on the 21th of SeptenilK>r_ 
18.57, our subject was unite<l in marriage with Miss 
Margaret, daughter of James and .lane (Conkling) 
-Vsh. The parents of Mrs. l>elir settled in St. 
.Joseph County during its earliest days, and Mr. 
Ash numbered one among the thrifty pioneers who 
built up a homestead from the wilderness .and thus 
contributed to the wealth and development of .St. 
.loseph County. Both he and his estimable wife 



died in Three Rivers, the former in 1887 and the 
latter in 1882. They were the parents of si.x chil- 
dren, all of whom are living and all residents of 
this county. 

Mrs. Lehr w.is the eldest child of her parents, and 
was born in Flowertieltl Township. Dec. 11. 1838. 
She. like her husband, ac(iuired her eflucation in 
the district schools, and was trained by an excellent 
mf)ther in those liousewifely duties which have so 
much inlluence in the happiness of a home. To Mr. 
anil Mrs. Lehr there was born one child only, a 
d;uighter. .Icnnie .1.. born .Inly 2-5. 18.")8. This 
daughter grew up. as may be supposed, the light of 
the household, and is now the wife of Frank Avery, 
a well-to-do farmer of Nottawa Township. 

The first year after marriage .Mr. Lehr engaged 
in the grocery trade for a time, then became inter- 
ested in a threshing-machine, wliich he o|)erated 
among the farmers of this region until 1864. The 
Civil War being then in progress he went South in 
the employ of the Government as a carpenter, and 
sojourned in the .States of Tennessee. Alabama and 
Kentucky a |)eriod of nine months, engaged in 
building bri<lges for the Government. 

-Mr. Lehr has been quite prominent in township 
aflfairs. holding the various school offices and other- 
wise identifying himself with the best interests of 
the people. Both he and his estimable wife are 
members in good standing of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. .Mr. L.. politically, is an earnest advo- 
cate of Republican princijjles. 

OLOMON YEATTER. Among the most 
worthy and well-kuf)wi) citizens of St. .Jo- 
seph Count}' is the gentleman whose life is 
here briefly sketched. He is the son of 
Jonathan and Barbara (Decker) Yeatter. His father 
was one of the very early settlers in this county, 
coming here in the year I8.")3. He was born on the 
Kill of April. 180<i, in Mifllin County. Pa.. an<l was 
there brought up to man's estate. His mother, a 
native of the same place, was born on the 22d of 
A[)ril, 1814. They were companions in early life. 
and after their marriage settled in their native 
county. m>iking their home there until 1843. when 




■•► 




,t 



2.i8 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



Ihej' removed t(j Seneca, Ohio, living in that place 
until li^oS. In that year the}' came to this county 
and settled in Colon Township, which they made 
their home until their death, which occurred on the 
23d of August, 1888, and on the 2d of August, 
1876. respectively. They were members of the 
Lutheran Church in Pennsylvania, but on coming 
to St. Joseph County united with the Reformed 
Church, with which they were connected at the 
time of their death. 

The subject of our sketch was the fourth child of 
eight born to bis parents, and he too was born in 
the Pennsylvania home, the tiate of that interesting 
event being the 13th of April. 1839. At the time 
of the removal to Ohio he was four j-ears of age, 
and was still with his parents when the\- came to 
this county in 1853, continuing with them until 
the year \Md. when he settled upon the farm where 
he now lives, which is situated on section 24, 
Colon Township. 

The education of Mr. Yeatter was received in 
the common schools of Colon and its Seminary. 
After leaving these institutions he taughtschool for 
four years in St. Joseph and IJrancii Counties, and 
evidenced an abilit}' to manage his pupils and train 
the developing intelligence intrusted to his care, 
that would soem to have warranted a longer con- 
tinuance in the jirofcssion, but he was otherwise 
inclined, and consequently gave his attention to 
.agricultural pursuits. 

The farm of our subject comprises 350 acres of 
well-cultivated, arable land, of which he took pos- 
session before any improvements had been made. 
He has erected good buildings and a comfortable, 
well-appointed farm dwelling, of which, however, 
the chief attraction is the cheerful, bright and 
amiable lady, who, since the 22dof February', 1866, 
has been united with him in the closest of all earthly- 
relations. 

The marriage of our subject was celebrated at 
Colon, Feb. 22, 186G, his wife being Miss Mnrtba 
Benedict, a daughter of Alfred R. and Cynthia 
(Aldrich) Benedict. Her father was a native of 
the Empire State, and her mother of Ohio. The}' 
first settled in Morrow County, i)i the latter State, 
where they continued to make their home until 
coming to this county. In 1849 they established 



themselves in Burr Oak Township, wliere Mrs. 
Benedict died on the 9th of August. 1864. Subse- 
quently her husband remarried, anil removed to the 
village of Burr Oak. whore he lived until his death, 
which occurred on the 14th of July, 1882. Mr. 
Benedict bad a family of ten children, nine by the 
first marriage. 

Mrs. Yeatter was the third child of her parents 
in order of birth, and was born in Morrow County, 
Ohio, on the 2.M of July. 184.'5. She was carefully 
brought up. and continued to live with her parents 
until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Yeatter have 
been born three children, who have received the 
following names: Sidney E., Effie O. and Ethel L. 
Both .Sidnej' and Ethel are engaged as teachers, and 
are quite successful in their work. 

Mrs. Yeatter is a member in good standing of 
the Reformed Church, and takes much interest in 
the various enterprises and organizations connected 
therewith. She is a lady respected and esteemed 
in the communion of which she is a member, .as she 
is also by all who know her. Our subject has Ueld 
several offices in the township in a most commenda- 
tory manner. In his relation to matters political 
he is strictlj' independent, and it is his aim always 
to use his ballot for what in his judgment are trulj' 
the best interests of the people, reganlless of party 
and policy, respecting simplj' principle and right. 



^5>- 




HOMAS CUDDY. A community of en- 
terprising men soon leave their mark upon 
the section of country wherein they settle, 
and to them it is indebted for its growth and pros- 
perity. In order to efiFcct this they must be liberal- 
minded, progressive and unselfish. Nottawa Town- 
ship has been fortunate in this respect, and among 
the men who have aided in her growth and pros- 
I perity the subject of this sketch occupies a leading 
I position. Not the least among his Iaboi°s have been 
I the building of a fine homestead, the cultivation of 
the soil, the planting of trees, the building of fences, 
and last, but not least, the erection of neat and 
I substantial farm buildings. These include a hand- 
some and commo<lious brick residence, while the 
barn and other structures for the storing of grain 




■<- 



4- 



ST. .lOSElMI COUNTY. 



■2r>9 



-t 



and the shelter of stock inilicnto the cntcrpri-ip of 
the proprietor. 

A hiifje piopcirlioii of llii- early Peltiers of .Miclii- 
<jaii owe their liirth and ancestry tti a foreign land. 
The childhood home of Mr. C'lidd}' was in Countj' 
Tyrone. Ireland, where his birth took |)lace in 1829. 
His father was a farmer by occnpation, and the 
boy grew up with limited adviinUigcs, but with 
sentiments of honesty and liabits of industry. He 
was bright and ambitious, ami when twenty j-ears 
of age resolved to seek his fortunes on the other 
side of the Atlantic. Taking passage on a sailing- 
vessel at Liverpool, he landed live weeks later upon 
American soil, in the city of New York. 

Young Cu<ldy soon made his wjiy to the >State of 
Michigan, and having in view the pursuits of farm 
life, located, in the month of June, upon a tract of 
land in Nottawa Townshii), near the river. He 
lived for a time with an uncle, not having yet 
formed matrimonial or domestic lies. He proceeded 
with the cultivation of his land, remaininga bachelor 
fofa period of nearly ten years longer, but on the 
2Hth of April. 18.59, was united in marriage with 
Miss Catherine McKinley. 

The wife of our subject is the daughter of Rob- 
ert and Catherine McKinley, who were natives of 
Scotland, and settled in Sherman Township, tliis 
countj', during its pioneer days. The father fol- 
lowed the peaceful pursuits of farm life, and died 
in 1883. The mother departeil this life Jan. 28, 
1875. Mrs. Catherine Cmldy became the mother 
of three chihlren. and de|)arted this life at the resi- 
dence of her father in Sherman Township, on the 
4th of September, 1869, at the age of twenty-seven 
years. Imving been born in 1842. Her native place 
W!is Amsterdam, N. Y. 'J'he children of this union 
were Catherine L., Robert J. and Samuel. The 
latter died when about eight years of age. The 
others are living. 

Mr. Cuddy, on the 28tli of .September, 1871, 
contracted a second marriage, with Miss Catherine 
Cidbertson, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1837. 
She was the daughter of James Culbertson. one of 
the early pioneers of this county, and died at her 
home in Nottawa Township, Aug. 24, 1878. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married March 3, 1880, was formerly Miss Kiln 

4« 



Piatt, daughter of Henrj' and Lj'dia Piatt, of Leoni- 
das Township. Henry Piatt was also one of the 
pioneers of this county. He and his excellent wife 
were natives of New York; the mother died in 
1872, anil the father is still living. Mrs. Ella Cuddy 
was born in I8.")'.l. in Leonidas Township, anrl was 
the second chiM of her parents, whose family con- 
sisted of two children. Of her marriage with our 
subject there have been born a daughter and two 
sons — Jennie L., George L. and Thomas T. 

Mr. Cuddj', upon becoming a naturalized citizen, 
identiticd himself with the Democratic party, and 
cast his first Presidential vote for Pierce. Later he 
considered that he had reason to support the Green- 
backers, and accordingly allied himself with them. 
He has never been an oflice seeker, but prefers to 
give his strict attention to his own affairs. 



\1 OHN RUTHKRFORI). The men who came 
to Michigan in the pioneer days and inau- 
gurated the struggle with the primitive soil, 
battling with the first difficulties with life in 
a new country, deserve more than passing mention. 
It must have required no small amount of courage 
and jjerseverance to break loose from old friends 
and associations, and perhaps with no other means 
than stout muscles and a hopeful heart, enter upon 
the task of opening up a homestead from the wil- 
derness, a t;»sk which thej' understood from the 
first would involve years of labor and no small 
outlaj' of capital. Among the men who thus dis- 
tinguished themselves in this county is the subject 
of this sketch. 

Mr. Rutherford was born in Caledonia. Living- 
ston Co., N. Y., June 26, 1814. and lived there at 
his father's farm until a youth of nineteen years. 
Then, learning the carpenter trade, he worked a year 
as a journeyman in his native .State, and at the end 
of this time, resolving upon a change of loca- 
tion, made his wa}' to the Territorj' of Michigan. 
Early in the spring of 1836, still unmarried, be mi- 
grated to this county, and employed himself as a 
farm laborer about two years, mostly in Nottawa 
Township. He had in the meantime purchased 160 
acres of land in Allegan County, which he now 







■•► 



t 



260 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



sold, and invested a portion of his capital in 130 
acres just east of Centrcviile in Nottawa Township, 
which he occupied and cultivated a peri(jd of seven 
years. He iiad now practically abandoned his 
trade and given his attention to the more congenial 
[■ursuils of agriculture. 

At the expiration of the time luentioucd Mr. 
Rutherford sold out again, and purchased 200 
acres on section 29 in Nottawa Township, which 
comprises his present farm. The history of those 
first few years issimiliar to that of his brother pio- 
neers, and during which he labored early and late, 
enduring nianj- privations and sacrifices for the sake 
of future good to himself and family. Although 
for the most part successful he has had his adversi- 
ties and losses, having in April, 1862, suffered the 
loss of a fine residence, which was destroj'ed bj' 
fire. He at once rebuilt, and in due time found 
himself on his feet again. 

The greater portion of llie Rutlicrford farm is 
under a fine state of cultivation. Our subject has 
a fair assortment of live stock, an ample supply of 
choice fruit, and all the other necessaries conducive 
to his comfort and well-being. He was united in 
marriage with Miss Betsej' Ann Kngle, in Nottawa 
Township, March 4, 1838. Mrs. Betsey A. Ruth- 
erford, also a native of New York State, was born 
in Mt. Morris, Livingston County, in 1818. This 
ladj- became the mother of two children, and died 
at the homestead in Nottawa Township in Novem- 
ber, 1874. Their elder child, a son, George W., 
remains with his father at home: he married Miss 
Fallen Ashley, a native of Oswego County. N. Y.,and 
thej- have two children, John A. and Zoe E. Isabel 
J. is the wife of Francis Gooden, of Nottawa. 

Our subject sontracted a second marriage in Jan- 
uary, 1881, with Miss Sarah Gee, also a native of 
the Empire State, and born in New York in 1812; 
she died in the year 1888. Her parents were na- 
tives of New York State, and are now deceased. 
Mr. R. has been quite prominent in local affairs, 
representing Nottawa Township about twelve years 
in the Countj- Board of Supervisors, otliciating as 
Justice of the Peace the same length of time, and 
serving as Highway Commissioner at different times 
for the last twenlj- years. In religious matters he 
adheres to the doctrines of the Reformed Church. 



The Rutherford family is of Scotch ancestry as 
far back as the records have been preserved. James 
Rutherford, the father of our sul)ject. wjis a native 
of Edinburgh, Scotland, anil married a maiden of 
his own Province, Miss Mary Hunter. They came 
on a bridal tour to the United States, settling in 
Livingston Count}', N. Y., where the father en- 
gaged in farming, where all their children, nine in 
number, were born, and where the parents spent 
the remainder of their lives. John was the fifth in 
order of birth. In the early days the pioneer far- 
mers during harvest time fortified their harvest 
hands with a generous supply of whisky. The 
father of our snbjeet discontinued this practice 
when John was a lad of fourteen years, and became 
a strict .advocate of temperance. He succeeded in 
training his sons to his way of thinking, especially 
John, who is now a pronounced Prohibitionist, al- 
though he still casts his vote with the Republican 
party. 

S5§ TEPHEN M. SNYDER is a native-born 
citizen of Michigan. Lockport, St. Joseph 
County, being his ])lace of birth, and Maj' 
18. 1843, the date thereof. He is now 
prominently identified with the agricultnral inter- 
ests of his native Stflte. owning and occupying a 
fine farm on section 1. Fabius Township. He is a 
representative of an honored pioneer family of St. 
Joseph Coimty, his parents, Henry and Lydia 
(Moore) Snyder, being among the early settlers of 
Southern Michigan. They were natives of Penn- 
sylvania, his father being born in what is now 
Sn\-der County, in 1804, and his mother in Union 
County, that State. 

Our subject obtained a fair education in the 
common schools, and was reared to man's estate on 
his father's farm, having no recollection of being 
out of the county until he entered the army. The 
breaking out of the Rebellion found him a strong, 
active, self-reliant lad. capable of doing his full 
share of labor on the home farm. He watched the 
progress of the war with intense interest, and ar- 
dently and patriotically desired to go to the assist- 
ance of his countrv. His wishes were finallv grati- 




^HI-4« 



•♦- 



ST. .JOSEPH COUNTY. 



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261 



ir 



lied, and M\g. 15, IHfi'i, before lie had attained liis 
niajoi'ity, he was enrolled as a nieinher of the gal- 
lant 2.')th Michijjan Infantry. In the three years 
thai followed lie experienced all the daiiiiers and 
hardships of war on mimmv a hard-foiight battle- 
lield, in many a weai'v niareh, and in malarious, 
nnhealthy eanips, oftentimes without proper food 
and with insufHeient shelter, lie liore up bravely 
under all these diseourajrements and siifferinjrs. and 
proved himself to be a ijrood soldier, one u|ion 
whom his oHlcers could rely, lie took part in the 
battles of Resaca, Hocky Kaee. Ktowali River, 
Kiiiiiston. Altoona. I'ine .Mountain. Lost Mount- 
ain. C'ulp's Farm. Kenesaw .Mountain. C'liattahoo- 
ehee River, Deoatur. Atlanta. Rome ((la.). Cedar 
lilulT and Na.-liville. and in many minor battles and 
skirmishes. 

After his retirement from the army .Mr. Snyder 
farmed with his father until the year 18fiH, when 
he went to Inwa lo dispose of some land wiiieh he 
owned there, and after completing his business, 
visited Kansas and other Western .States. After his 
return home he was married, Feb. 7, 1869, to Miss 
I'tiea K. Stuck, daughter of .laeob and Rebecca 
(Snyder) Stuck, of Indiana. Her parents were of 
Pennsylvania origin and of fJerman descent, and 
she w.a.s likewise a native o{ Pennsylvania, born in 
Snyder County, Dec. i». 1817. While to .Mr. and 
Mrs. Snyder have been vouch.safe<l the joys of 
l)arentage. they have also sutTered its sorrows in an 
uncommon degree, .is live bright anil promising 
children of the seven liorn to them have early 
passed away from the sins anil sorrows of this life 

"And to all the evil that's in the world 
They will know no waking." 

They have two children living: \\illis C., born 
Ai)ril !». 1871, and Alvin .1.. Sept. 2(». 187.5. The 
record of the others is a^ follows: Charles E., 
born .May 27. 1K7.J. died Sept. 22. I8K2: .lohn M., 
born Nov. 7. 1H77. died .March 12. 1H7'.»; Clarence 
II.. born Nov. 17. 187!», died April 26. 1881; an 
infant who died unnameil; Lydia R.. born ,Vpril 
2.>. 1886, died Sept. 11, I«87. .Mr. Snyder settled 
on his present farm in 18«7, and has since much 
improved it. 

Our subject is a man of strong, earnest, manly 
character, eonibiuiug llrmuess with such a genial 



and kindly disposition as to win the regard as well 
as the respect of his neighbors. He and his good 
wife, who is held in eipial esteem, are leading 
members of the Reformed Church, he holding the 
oflice of Deacon in the congregation at Three Rivers. 
Mr. Snyder hits been a stanch Republican ever 
since he was old enough to vote, and he is also a 
strict Prohibitionist. He takes an active interest in 
educational matters, and is giving his children the 
bcnelit of the superior educational ailvantages of 
his ami their native State. 



•i- 



-^ 



<¥^ 



STEPHEN SHOWERMAN. The farm prop- 
erty of the subject of this sketch occupies 
eighty acres on section 27, in Nottawa 
Township, and forms one of the well-regu- 
lated homesteads of this county. The proprietor 
is a native of Deerliekl, Madison Co., N. Y'.. and 
was born Dec. 31. 1819. When but a Lad his 
parents removed to Genesee County, where he w.as 
reared to manhood and lived until the fall of IS.'iS. 
He had been married in the meantime, and now de- 
cided to seek his fortunes in the Slate of Michigan. 
He accordingly dispo.sed of his property interests 
ill the Empire .State, and came to this county. He 
settled at oi:ce in Nottawa Township, of which 
he has since been a resident. He has eighty acres 
of land, good buildings, and his industry has gath- 
ered around him a hirge portion of tiie good things 
in life. 

William Showerman, the father of our subject, 
was born near the city of Albany. N. Y., and mar- 
ried Miss Susan Lampnian, who was also a native 
of that Stale. They settled in Oenesee County, 
where they spent the remaiiuler of their lives, en- 
gaged in fanning pursuits. The household circle 
included twelve children, all of whom lived lo ma- 
ture years. Stephen at an early |H'riod in his life 
became familiar with agricultural pursuits, and has 
been contwit lo make these his vocation. He was 
first married in Oaktield, (Jenesee Co., N. Y., in Oc- 
tober, 1853, to Miss Adela Munger, who was a native 
of that county, and who became the mother of one 
child, a son, Seymour, who is now in Ionia. .Mich. 
Mrs. Adela Showerman died at the homestead in 



X 262 



"^1 1 4» 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 




this county, in 18.56, two and one-h.ilf ^-ears after 
coming to tbe West. 

Mrs. Liicinria (Ellswortli) Knieiierbocker became 
tbe secon<i wife of our subject April 21, 185M, the 
marriage taking place at the home of the bride in 
Burr Oak Township. This lad}' was born in Man- 
lius, >'. Y., Feb. 26, 1834. and is the daughter of 
Ira and Sophia (Eaton) Ellsworth, who were natives 
of Vermont and New York respectively, and who 
passed the greater part of their lives in this State. 
Tliej' are now deceased. Mrs. Showerman spent her 
childhood and youth in Mosherville, this State, re- 
ceiving a common-school education, and was mar- 
ried in 1849 to James W. Knickerbocker, who was a 
clothier and teacher by occupation, and died in Colon 
Village, June 15, 18,")7. Of this marri.nge there were 
born three chihlren, a son and two daughters — Edgar, 
Ida H. and Carrie V. Edgar is a carpenter at 
Lansing; Ida is the wife of Albert Decker, of Big 
Rapids; Carrie, Mrs. Charles E. Smith, resides in 
Grand Rapids. Of the marriage with our subject 
Mrs. Slxjwcrnian lias four children, namely : Nettie 
S., Lottie M., Roy E. and Ralph W. Nettie is the 
wife of Albert Thorns, of Greenville, this State, 
and Lottie married George Davis, of Nottawa 
Township. 

Mrs. Sht)werman is a lady of fine capabilities 
and more than ordinary intelligence, a lover of 
books, and a mother looking carefully after the 
mental training of her cliililren. She has hosts of 
friends in her community who speak of her in the 
highest terms. She has for many years carried on 
the business of dressmaking, numbering among her 
patrons the first ladies of the townsiiip. 



ESSE NERIIOOT. Among the farmers and 
stock-i'aisers of Fabius Township none arc 
inocting with more deserved success than the 
^&/J subject of our sketch, lie owns a good 
farm on section 3. which is under high t«dtivation. 
is well stockefl, and is amply provided with neces- 
sary buildings and machinery for properly carry- 
ing on agriculture. 

Mr. Nerhoot w.as born in Inion County, now 
Snyder County, Pa.. March 7, 1824. llis parents 



were Michael and Catherine (Long) Nerhoot, na- 
tives of Pennsylvania, the father of German ances- 
try and the mother of English. 

Our subject received a good practical training as 
a farmer in his youthful days, and remained at 
liome t(> .i.ssist his father in tlie labors of the farm 
until his marriage to Catherine Knitle, which took 
place July 16, 1844. She was born Sept. 2, 1824, 
in Pennsylvania, her parents being Henry an<l .Sarah 
(Zimmerman) Knitle, also natives of the Keystone 
State. Mrs. Nerhoot is an excellent housewife, and 
has been a true helpmate to her husband, heartily 
co-oi)erating with him in his labors to liuild up the 
comfortable home in which they are now passing 
the declining years of a life well spent, in the en- 
joyment of the com[ieteuce which they gathered to- 
gether in their busy years, thoroughly respected 
and trusted by all arf)und them. Our subject ex- 
perienced some of the har<lships and suflferings of 
war, as he was drafted during the late Rebellion, 
and faithfidly served .a-s a soldier for nine months, 
being a niemlier of the 172d Pennsylvania Infantry 
and Heavy Artillery. 

In 18(i4 our subject and his family bade farewell 
to their friends and their old lujuie in Pennsylvania 
and moved to Erie County. Oliio. Mr. Nerhoot 
was employed on a farm there for one }ear. when 
he .tgain made a move, and in 1865 we find him 
with his wife and children in Sandusky County, in 
the same State, where he bought thirty-five acres of 
land, wliich he tilled with commendable industry 
and good success for twelve years. During that 
time he was also employefl as a carpenter. In 1877 
he wound up his affairs in Ohio, and crossed the 
border into Michigan, where he bought eighty acres 
of land in Fabius Township. St. Joseph County, 
which is still included in his present farm. Mr. 
Nerhoot has been prosperous in his farming vent- 
ures since coming to St. Joseph County, and at 
one time owned land to the amount of 160 acres; 
he has since disiwsed of a part of it at a good profit 
on his original investment. 

Our subject and his wife have had eight children 
seven of whom are living, of whom tbe following 
is recorded: Henry. Iioni Nov. 2. 1845. lives in 
Kansas, is married and has several children; Cather- 
ine died in infanc\'; Sarah, born Dec. 30, 1850, 



-4^ 



.ST. JOSKPII COUNTY. 



•4^ 



263 



married Henry Moyer. and lives in Oliio; .Susan, 
born Ai>ril 7. 18.13. married .lames Frederick, a 
fanner of Faliins 'rowiisliip; .lane 1,.. t>orn .lime 3, 
IX.Jij, married Allierl Averv. of Fal)ius 'I'ownship; 
(ieorjie M.. horn .Ian. l.'i. IK.iS. in Pennsylvania, 
lives at iiome with liis parent-s; Caleb, l)orn .March 
17. IXtiO. lives on the honiestejid. is married and 
hiis one child: Melia K.. born Oct. C. 1804. married 
Levi Wetlierhee. of Fabius Townshiii. am! they 
have two children. 

Mr. Nerhoot is an observant, intelligent man, 
well informed in rej.'-ard to the news of the day. He 
was the seventh in a faniilv of ten cliildren, but 
his |)arents were enabled to ^ive him the benefit of 
a fair coniinon-school education, otherwise he is a 
self-made man. havinjj earned all that he owns by 
his i\ntii'iii<r labors, assisted, of course, by his wife. 
Heliyiously, he is a firm believer in the doctrines of 
the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Repiil)- 
lican. He e.ist his fir.<t vote for Zachary Taylor. 
He is a member of the (J. A. H., holdins^a member- 
ship in the Post at Three Rivers. 




H.VHLKS KINC. The annals of St. .loseph 
County bear no more worthy name than 

is^' that of the ijentleman who.se life is pre- 
sented in this sketch. The date of his settlement 
in the county was 1«34. He came when the dis- 
trict was beinir developed, and h.as in the days of 
pitmiK-rdoni in the county borne even m<»re than 
his share of the burdens, disadvantajres. trials and 
harilshi|K< incidental to such a condition of thinixs. 

The father i>f our subject was David F. Kin.!,', 
who was born in Knirland. and was in everv res,'ard 
a worthy representative of that people. His wife, 
the mother uf our subject, was .lane Weatherhojrir. 
like her husband a native of Lincolnshire. Kn- 
;jland. They were brought up. married and set- 
tled in tiK'ir native land, but (letermine<l after a time 
to enii^'rate to this country. 'I'his they di<l. ar- 
rivini: in the year 1H3L Alnu>st iinnie<liately after 
landinir at New York they prttcet'de<l westward, 
coniin;; direct to this county, ami settlefl on the 
Nottawa prairie. There they livt-d for nearly tivci 
yeai-s. At the end of that period they removed 



to Colon Township and made their home in the 
northwestern part of the township, where they 
c<tntinue(l until the death fif Mr. Kinir. which oc- 
curred on the ICth of October, 1 «.')(). 

The family of which our subject is a member in- 
cluded nine chihlren. seven f)f whom came to ma- 
ture years. Their names are recorded iu« follows: 
William. (Jeorge F.. David. Charles. Mary. .lohn 
S.. Sarah .1.. .Moses F. and .Vdeline. William w.'is 
killed while in the employ of the Michiiran Cen- 
tral Hailro:ul in October, IH'H; .lohn and Mo.ses 
died in infancy; Adeline diwl at the age of twenty- 
three years at the homestead: Oeorge is living in 
Colon Township; Mary is happily married to Isajic 
T. (iillen. of IJranch County: Sarah is now Mrs. 
William Heath, of Oenesee County. .Mrs. King de- 
parted this life on the lllth of .laiuiary, 1M72. 

The subject of our sketch w.as born in Lincoln- 
shire. England, on the Hth of August, 18211. When 
his parents came to America he was five years old. 
so that it W!is impossible he should remember much, 
if any. of the old Knglish home and life. He was 
brought up on the farm of his father, and has al- 
ways been surrounded by the everyday happenings 
and circumstance.- incident to such life. Agricult- 
ural pursuits had been familiar to him from the 
beginning of the chapter, and as soon as he was 
po>sessed of sullicient muscularity to perform any 
ta..*ks he was given them to do. so that his knt)wl- 
edge of husbandry in its varied departments is 
thorough, pr.'ictical. and such a.* leaves no possible 
exigency unprejiared for. It is not. therefore, a 
matter of surprise that his success in the occupa- 
tion tif his life slioulil have been what it is. when 
it i.s remendiered that he is a man of character, in- 
telligence and reserve force. 

The educatif>n of our subject was receivi'<l in the 
common sch<K>ls of the land of his .adoptitm. aii<l 
all the familiar and oft conned over scem-s and 
remini.scences of ."schoollHiy days gTou|)ed them- 
selves around the old homestead upon which his 
father s|H'rtt praittically all the years of his life in 
this country. This farm, which is situ.atetl on .sec- 
lion 7. Cobvn Township, comprises 12it acres, and is 
still the home of our subject, as it has continued to 
l)e from the first. It is in a very thorouirh state 
of cultivation, and, other things being i-qual. leaves 



* 



^ 



<^ 



264 




ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



a rieli return for all labor intelligently bestowed 
upon it. The farm buildings are complete in their 
arranufcment and appointments and are substan- 
tially I'uilt. The farmhouse is pleasant for situation, 
admiiable in design, well adapted for the domestic 
and social uses to which it is always being put. It 
is one of tlie best residences in the township as a 
building, and f(u-ms the environiiimt of one of the 
happiest households in the county. 

It is hardly necessary to stale thai Mr.. King was 
married in Colon Township. This interesting event 
was celebrated on the l.')th of Fcbiuary. 18r>."), the 
lady who took an equally i)roniincnt part with our 
subject at that time being Miss Margaret C. Ren- 
ner, a daughter of Daniel and Hebecca (Tiionias) 
Kenner. She is a lady of liappy dis|)osition. dieer- 
ful, intelligent and womanly, just such a one as it 
would be expected would make home all that could 
be expressed or understood by that all inclusive 
and comprehensible term. 

.Mr. Henner was born in Lancaster County. I'a., 
as was also his wife. The^' married, and settled 
first in Union County, I'a., continuing tliere until 
tiie fall of 181,5. when tliey came west, and settled 
in Colon Townsliip of tliis county. The liusband 
and father died on tlie lOtli of .luiic. 187,'). Mrs. 
Heiiner still survives, and resides on the old farm. 
Tiiey were the parents of ten children, viz: Eliza- 
beth, now 1 1 le w i fe of George King, and Margaret C, 
the wife of our subject, both of Colon Townshi]); 
Mary, now Mrs. Theo Royee, of Nottawa Town- 
ship; William T.; Wilson r Lydia, who is married 
to Mr. Samuel Uower; Daniel; Estlier, tiie wife of 
Sample Downing, and Henry, all residing in Colon 
Township; and Anna, wiio died in infancy, Wil- 
son and Lydia are twins, 

^Irs, King w.as born at Lewisburg, Union Co., 
I'a., on the 2d of .lune. 18.?;i. The earlier j'ears 
of her scliool life were spent in tliat place. Wlien 
her i)arents came to Miciiiganshe Wivsalioiit twelve 
years of age. an<l until her marriage conlii\ued to 
make her home with them. Since the year 1881! 
she has been a member of the Reformed Church, 
.'iiid enjoys the sincerest respect of her fellow-mem- 
bers. 

Mr. and Mrs. King are both alhliated witli the 
Colon Grange, P. of H., and have been connected 



with the order for about three years. Our subject 
has several times filled various offices of township 
and schools, but is not i)rominent in politicil af- 
fairs. He is numbered with the Democratic party, 
but is one who reserves to himself the right of dis- 
cretion in the dispo.sal of his ballot, and is guided 
by the principle more than party. The houseliold 
to which the reafler is here introduced is one of 
the ty])ical American and ^lichigan honies. Our 
subject and wife present a very high type of char- 
acter, are intellectual, hospitable, i)atriotic and 
loyal. While such homes are found scattered 
through the community of tlie different States, 
America lias little to fear of the destruction, disap- 
pointment and disaster which the pessimist would 
have us believe w-as already hovering over the land, 
because there are some wrongs to be righted and 
evils to be eradicated that have come to us as an 
inheritance from the civilizations of the past. The 
true home, with its hallowed influences, is at once 
the fiilcniiii and lever to raise and remove a world 
of evils and wrongs. It has been and is still doing 
this in our lieloved land. 



"jt^jYRON Q. GOODRICH, a gentlem.in in the 
jl^5^^ prime of life and a native of Nottawa Town- 
[^^)JI| ship, which still continues liis abiding-place, 
\=^ was born at the modest homestead of his 
parents in the pioneer days, >sov. 27, 1840. He is 
the eldest son of Clark and Maria (Richards) Good- 
rich, natives of New York, the former of whom 
died in 1854, and the latter in 18.5,5, He remained 
under the same roof until the death of his parents, 
then made his w.ay to Kalamazoo, where he resided 
one year, attending school. We next find him iu 
the young and growing town of Coldwater, where 
he sojourned iinlil the outbreak of the late Civil 
War. 

The two and one-half years which followed this 
period formed a most interesting epoch in the life 
of our subject. On the 12th of August, I8G1, he 
enlisted as a Union soldier in Company IJ. 44th 
Illinois Infantry, being assigned to the Army of the 
West, Nut long afterward he was promoted to 
Corporal, and during a service of two and one-half 



■» 11 ^^ 



.t 



Sr. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



265 



years parlieipatcd in many <>f tlio iinportiinl battles 
of the war. among llirni those of Tea I{i(lj;e, Slii- 
loli, Nolensville, and Stone River. At the latter 
place lie was wounded liy an ounce l>ull in the left 
shoulder, which passed lielween the liacklionc and 
the lungs, and was taken out under the right shoul- 
der blade. This confined him in llie hospitals at 
Nashville, Cincinnati, Ohit) an<l Camp Denison for 
one year, then, incapacitated for further service, he 
was compelled to accept his honorable discharge. 

The first ycnr of this service young (Goodrich 
inarched with his companj' over 3,000 miles. He 
endured all the hardships and ])rivalions of a sol- 
dier's life, which necessarily left their effect upon 
his constitution, and will follow him to the end of 
his <b«ys. After leaving the army he returned to 
his old haunts in this county, of which he has since 
been a resident, and with the exception of two 
years, mostly engaged in farming in this county. 
The land which he now occupies was purchased by 
him in 1877, and comprises 120 acres on sections 
11 and 1 i") in Nottawa Townshi[). 

The wedded life of our subject commenced on 
the 2Htli of November, 18U5. when he was united 
in marriage with Miss Charlotte A., <laughter of 
Cornelius and Klcce Ann (Doughty) Bolt. The 
parents of Mrs. Goodrich were natives of New 
1 t)rk State, and came to Michigan in 1 84C. settling 
in Colon Township, this countj'. A few years later 
they returned westward .is far as Livingston County. 
III., where the father died in 1872. The mother is 
still living. Their daughter Charlotte A. was the 
third of their six children, and was born in .Sche- 
nectiidy County. N. Y., .lune ]:i. 1844. .She spent 
her }-oulh from the age t>f two years up in Colon 
Township, and remained a member of the parental 
household until her marriage. Of her union with 
our subject theie have been born seven children, 
four of whom died in iiifaiic3*. The survivors are 
Koy, Zoraida and .Mary Irene. 

.Mr. (toodrich. politically, is a stanch supporter 
of Uepublicnn principles, and uniformly votes the 
way he fought. Roth he and his excellent wife arc 
members of the Methodist Church, in which Mr. <!. 
has olliciated as Class- Le.idcr an<l Trustee a number 
of years. They have been in harnnniy in llieir 
common interest in matters of education and relig- 




ions nature, and have uniformly given of their means 
and influence to the furtherance of those ideas cal- 
culated to advance every good work and purpose. 
Mr. Goodrich has held the otBce of Highway Com- 
missioner five terms, and socially, is connected with 
the G. A. H. 

,... MOS .SMITH is very successfully engaged 
( SJ/Lli in farming and stock-raising on section (i. 
Fabius Township, where be has rcsideil 
since 1853. He h.is built U]) a very jileas- 
ant and attractive home here, beautifully situated 
within a half-mile of l>ong Lake. He owes his 
prosijerity solely to liis own untiring industry', 
shrewdness and wise I'conoiny, as he is .one of the 
self-made men. life with him becoming a struggle 
for existence at a very early age. when his father, 
through poverty and being obliged to support a 
large family, had to send him out into the world to 
earn his own living. 

Mr. Smith is a native of New Scotland. .Vlbany 
Co., N. Y., born Oct. 2(1. 1828. His parents. .loliii 
Z. and Nellie (Wan Horn) .Smith, were also natives 
of New York, and descendants of Hollanders who 
settled in that State early in it< Colonial history. 
His father was twice married, and by the first mar- 
riage there were twelve children, of whom our 
subject w.as the sixth. .lohn Z. Smith wa.-; a quiet, 
honest, hard-working man. of a mild, kindly dis- 
position. When, through tlic infirmities of age. 
he could no longer support himself, his son. of 
v?hom we write, sent for him to come to Michigan 
to spend his declining years in his home, where he 
lived in ease, surrounded with ever)- comfort that 
filial care could procure, until his death, which oc- 
curred in 18(52. He was one of the old-line Democ- 
racy, and took a great interest in political affairs. 

Our subject's early years were sjjeiit jKirtly in 
town and partly in the country, working forfithers 
by the month, a^ after his mother's death, when he 
was eight years old, he had to de]>end entirely on 
his own resourci's. His early experience in rough- 
ing it doubtless strengthcne<l his character, and 
made him manly and self-reliant much beyond his 
years. He hacl but limited opportunities for an 
education, but made good use of his time when he 



r 



<^ 



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261- 



ST. JU.SEi'H COUNTY. 



could iret a little sdioolins;:. niul l>y observation and 
reading acquired a lietler education tlian many 
whose earh- advantages were much better. At the 
age of nineteen he commenced to learn tlie car- 
penter's trade, serving some tliree years, and pos- 
sessing a natural aptitude for handling tools, he 
gained a thorough mastery of his calling in all its 
deUniis. Mr. Smith by prudence and economy laid 
by enough monej' to warrant him in marrj'ing, 
while he was intlie very prime of early manhood, 
and on tlie 17th of February. 18.5."?. Miss Mary E. 
Peck, daugliter of Oliver Peck, became his wife. 
.Shortly after his marriage Mr. Smith came with his 
bride to establisli their liome in .Michigan. lie en- 
tered eighty-four acres of land from the Govern- 
ment in this county, anil on this place, where he 
still lives, he and his wife commenced their wedded 
life. The happiness that the3' experienced together 
was not of long duration, for death claimed the 
wife Xov. 12, 1.S.54. who not two years before had 
been a bride. Of this union one child was born, 
now Mrs. -Vnn E. Parker, of ^Muskegon County, 
.Mich. 

.Air. .Smith's next marriage took place Eel). 11, 
1856, to Miss Addie .lohnson. daughter of James 
and Elizabeth .lohnson. By this marriage there 
are living nine children, namely: llenrj-, AVilliam, 
Addie, Bert, llattie, ^lyrtlc. Sydney. Clyde and 
Eva. Of these William. Addie and Bert, are mar- 
ried; two are living in Fabius and one in Flower- 
field. 

Mr. Smith has improved and cultivated his farm, 
erected substantial and commodious buildings, and 
supplied it with good grades of stock, so that as a 
whule there is no better m.anagcd or more valuable 
farm in this neighborhood. This brief record 
shows that in every departiiient of life he has been 
true to himself and to tho.-'e around him; sis a son, 
lie was all that could be desired; as a husband, he is 
kind and thoughtful: as a father, devoted and 
tender; .as a citizen, liberal and i)ublic si)irited. He 
has taken part in townshii> affairs as a Hoad Com- 
missioner, in whidi position he did good wc>rk. and 
.as a member of tlie School Board for many years. 
He h.is taken an intelligent interest in educational 
affairs. an<l li.as earnestly striven to maintain good 
schools in this communitv. He h.is iriven his 



own children liberal educations, and some of them 
are well qualified to teach, although they have never 
turned their attention to that profession. In his 
politics Mr. .Smith is a stanch Democrat, and by 
voice and vote st.ands loyally by his party. 

~.v.<-.. ' — '—8 ^^ • -l^ ^- 



J' AMES W. KING. The subject of this sketch 
was born in the township of Fabius, near 
Three Rivers. Mich.. Aug. 13. 1842. on the 
farm entered by his father, Benjamin M. 
King, from Government, in 1836. The father was 
one of the early settlers of Sfc. Joseph County. He 
was born in Orange County, near Middletown. N. Y.. 
and in his teens went to AV.nyne County to learn the 
trade of shoemaker, and from tliere, with his young 
wife, whose maiden n.ame was Martha AVetherbee, 
came to Michigan in the spring of 1832. They set- 
tled at Eschol. a now extinct village, the location 
of wliit-ji was three miles south of Three Uivers. 
At that time there was but one house in the latter 
place, that having been built by .lacob Mclntaffer. 
in 1829. 

The jiarental stock on both sides contributed their 
full share for American freedom, both in the war 
of the Revolution and the War of 1812. One of 
the grandfathers. Benjamin Montonye. after whom 
the father of .lames W. was named, was selected by 
W.ashington to carry a false dispatch into the Brit- 
ish lines a short time before the gkirlous victory at 
Y''orkto^^^l. It was through this dispatch that .Sir 
Henry Clinton was made to believe that New York 
was to be attacked by the combined forces of the 
American and French, the outcome of which re- 
sulted in the unconditional surrender of Lord Corn- 
wallis and his army in Virginia. Tlie bearer of the 
dispatch suffered hini.<elf t« be ca[)tured. and was 
placed t)n one of the floating prisons at Jersey City. 
I and kejit there until peace brought the release of 
all American i>rlsoners. 

James W. King worked on his father's farm un- 
til the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, in 
1861, when he enlisted as a priv:itc in Compimy A. 
11th Regiment of Michigan Infantry. and remained 
in service until the downfall of the .Southern Con- 
federacy. That he performed liis services as a sol- 



■•► 



ST. .lOSEril COUNTY. 



ICl 



(licr faitlifiilly and ir:>n:»ntly is shown I13' tlie fol- 
lowing staU'inent. wliicli iippi'.irs on the back of 
his final discharge, signed l)y (Icn. William J,,. 
Stoiighlon and every odicer in tlie regiment: "Tiie 
williin named, .lanies W.King. wa.s distinguished a.s 
a soldier for the ability and zeal witii wiiich he per- 
fiirmeil every duty jiertaining to his otlice. as well as 
for the integrity of his character and his gentlemanly 1 
deportment. Taking a vi>luntary part in tlie battle 
of Mission Ridge, he l)eliaved with conspicuous gal- 
lantry, and received a severe wound. P-S also another 
before Atlanta, in August. 1H()4. We cordially rec- 
ommend him to tlic favorable consideration of all 
I'ivil an<l military authorities." 

In that grandest of all great charges of the war. 
.Mi»ion Kidge. wheiv (Jrant had commanil of tlic 
I nion forces, willi Sherman on tlie left, Thomas in 
the center. Hooker on the right, and McPherson ■ 
and Sheridan in lesser commands, a minie ball shat- 
teii'd tlie bone of Mr. King's right arm just above 
the i^lbow joint, rendering him a cripple for life, in- 
capacitating liim for heavy manual labor. "Hol)- 
ert.-ion's .Michigan in the War" says: •• It has been 
very satisfactorily established that tiuartermastcr 1 
St'rgeant King was among tiie first to reach the 
snnrmit of the ridge." In the latter part of .Inly. 
18G4. before .Vtlanta. he had his left shoulder broken 
by a piece of rebel shell, but. ilespite these two se- 
vere wounds, served to the end of tlrat protracted 
struggle, and was staligned at C'liattanooga. Tenn.. 
when Lee surrendereil his sword to (Irant in 1865. 
at -Vppomatlox. 

Previous to this time Mr. King had given the ' 
subject of shorthand writing some tiiouglit, but 
when he found himself di.sable<l for manual labor 
he hatl a double incentive to pursue the study of 1 
an :irt which afterward iK'came his strong right arm 
of su|>|M>rt in the liattle of life. or. to use a more 
homely, but expressive .and truthful, phrase, " the 
battle for bread and butler." His f:icilities for a 
book cdiK-ation were conlined to tiie district schoi>l 
and study at home. He spent hours on Webster's 
Klementary Speller where his comp:inions S|>t'nt 
minutes. It wiu-* the same in penmanship, reading', 
arithmetic and grammar, and whatever success he 
has hail in life, in the pursuit of any study, he at-, 
tributes it to persistent and wejl-direi'led inilii^trv. 



which enabled him to become thoroughly f:imlliar 
with whatevi'r subject he iiad in hand. His atten- 
tion w.as first called to shorthand writing by tiie 
following iiK'ident: When but six or seven years 
of age lie and an elder companion were p.a.-<sing 
along the highway anil they met an eccentric old 
man. known throughout Southern Michigan .'US 
■•Dr." Lainliert. The companion sjiid: "That man 
used to lie a reporter in Congress, .and could write 
as fast as a man could talk." Tiie com|ia!iioii <-ould 
exiilain no further tlian that he had some kind of 
short marks that represented words. From that 
time on he had a desire to know something of an 
art wliicli wiaild aUow one man's ]ien to kei'j) pace 
with another man's tongue. Among his comrades 
in arms were .Vrthur Sylvester (Irahani. a brother 
of Andrew J. (iraiiam. autiior of the system of 
Standard Phonograpliy.and ('apt. Kpliraini (1. Hall, 
both of wlioin had some knowledgeof phonography. 
Through their advice, in IKCi'.S. he jiiiichased (Jra- 
hain's handliook of Standard Plionograpliy. and 
when not on duty began to familiarize himself with 
the principles laid down tlierein. Two broken arms 
inside of one year interfered for some time witii 
practice for speeil. but he used up his s|iare time in 
a systematic course of reading. 

In the f:ill of 18G.') Mr. King returned to his 
boyhood home in Miciiigan anil marrie<l his for- 
mer schoolmate. Miss Sarah Jane IJabcock. The 
young marrie<I couple removed to Tennessee, with 
tiie idea of making that .Stale a i.erinanent home. 
Mr. King engaged in the culture of cotton, at 
Thompson's Station, thirty miles south of XjLsh- 
ville. and the next year removed to .Mabama. and 
lived on a plantation five miles south of Decatur. 
The .Southern venture proved a genuine " fool's 
errand." In .lanujirv Mr. King and family retiirneil 
to Michigan. ^2(1 worse oft" th:in nothing in a finan- 
cial iKiint of view, but rich in Southern experience. 
Two months lati-r he accepted a clerkship in the 
ollice of the -Vuditor (leneral at Lansing. At the 
head of that department at that time w.as that gal- 
lant soldier and able ami zealous puldie servant 
(!en. William lluinphrey. For three years Mr. 
King held this |>osition. Kvery hour of spare time 
was carefully hu>b:iiided by him in order to get 
■^IM-ed. Hi- wife d'-voteil nil the time «he could to 



■•► 



•►Hl^^^ 



4^ 



26« 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 




reading to liini. .iiul when she was otliorwise en- 
gaged he w;oukl spend his time in tracing or ••dum- 
mying" the beautiful characters found in tlie exer- 
cises of firahani's Second Render. It is not too 
mudi to say that everj- jiage of tliat reader was 
either written or traced l)_v him until each charac- 
ter, or coniliination of characters, was so thor- 
oughly ijliotographed on liis mind, as it were, that 
he could reproduce from reading the phonographic 
eliaracters of the liook from beginning to end. 

Mr. King began actual siiortiiand work in 18G9, 
by reporting the proceedings of the department 
encampment of the Grand Army of ^lir-higan. then 
held at Lansing. Then came the testimony in two 
or three legislative investigations, and a speecli by 
tlie lion. -Closes W. Field. Ijefore the Michigan Leg- 
islature, in favor of the principle of protection to 
American indu.stry. which was published in the De- 
troit Post. \ few weeks after reporting thisspeecii 
.Slate .Senator Isaac M. C'ravatii m.ide a spt-ech in 
the Senate in favor of a bill for the establishment 
of a State Hoard of Health. The friends of tlie 
measure engaged Mr. King to report tlie speech, a 
transcript of which they offered the Lansing State 
EepuhUcan for pulilication. Tlie tiien managing 
editor, the late W. .S. (ieorge. who had been editori- 
ally connected with some of the best newspapers in 
the laud, among them the Springfield (.ALiss.) Re- 
jiublican and the l)etr(jit Tribune, accepted the 
manuscript for publication. He hail never seen the 
reporter to know liim. but his practical eye caught 
at a glance the beautiful longhand, and the correct 
spelling and punctuation of the copy before him, 
and his first in(|uiry was as to who did tlie work. 
\ few days later lie sought out Mr. King and in- 
formed him that he liad for some tiine believed 
tiial he could use plioiiography to advantage in tlie 
dictation of editorial matter, and lie would be glad 
to have him come to his house some evening in the 
near future and let him make the trial. The ex- 
periment was made to tlie satisfaction of Mr. ( leorge. 
About a week afterward, as Mr. King was passing 
along the street in front of the liepublican oflice. 
Mr. ( leorge came to the door and said: •• Mr. King, 
if you will come with me I will give you the city 
editorship of the Republican, and ^l.dOO the first 
year." Mr. King frankly replied: •• Mr. George. I 



have had no experience in newspaper work, outside 
of the shorthand reports that I have made for your 
paper and the Detroit Post. 1 have scarcely writ- 
ten a column for publication in all my life." The 
editor replied: '"You are just the man 1 want." and 
in three days from that tiiiie .Mr. King began his 
duties as city editor of tlie Republican. His first 
work was to report a (ierm.an-American meeting; it 
was to celebrate the results of the Franco-Prussian 
war. S. D. Bingham, the |)olitical editor of the 
Republican, was the principal speaker. Jlr. Bing- 
ham had alwavs been a terror to shorthand men on 
account of rapidity of utterance, but Mr. King suc- 
ceeded in getting the si>eech so correctly that he 
received tlie warmest ]iraise from the orator him- 
self. His reputation as a speech reporter was at 
once established, and for fifteen years he occupied 
a desk in the Republican oflice. For six years he 
was city editor, five years assistant editor, and. on 
the death of !Mr. George, in 181^1. became chief 
editor. The latter position he held for four years. 
During the fifteen years that he w.as in the editorial 
harness there was scarcely an hour bui what lie 
hurried matters by his skillful knowledge of short- 
hand. It w.-is useful in a thousand and one ditTer- 
ent ways. His reporting covered testimony in 
legislative investigations, political speeches, con- 
vention and institute procet'dings. and lectures of 
all descriptions and characters. This work included 
the utterances of many of the most noted men and 
women of the land. Among tliose who have coin- 
plimeutetl him personally for accuracy in speech 
reporting, of his own State, were Sen.ators Chand- 
ler, Ferry. Christiaucy and Palmer; Governors 
Croswell, Jerome and .Vlarer: Congressman Horr, 
and scores of others. 

The newspaper man who is hustling for news 
must take his notes under .all conditions and cir- 
cumstances. Sometimes in the crowds with which 
Mr. King had to deal no preparations had been 
made for reporters. As an illustration of the emer- 
gencj' in which he has been placetl in a reportorial 
lioint of view, one instance will suflici': Four years 
ago Benjamin F. Butler, then the (Jreenback candi- 
date for the Presidency, made a speech in L;insing, 
at the intersection of Michigan and Washington 
avenues. The speaker's stand w:is a dray in the 



^^^Tii 



ST. .IO.SKPII rOUNTY. 



■2C,0 f 



center of the square, and a surjjinjj tide of luimnn- 
ily lilocked tlie center and streets for many rods 
from tlie four points of tlie conipuss. There was 
no |)os>ihlc ohanee for a reporlor to write on tlie 
street. Mr. King, after looking over tlie situation, 
gained access to an insurance oflice in the second 
story of a brick building, shoved a window and 
crawled nut on the stone cornice. With that for a 
scat, with feet dangling in the air. and note book 
in left hand, he caiiturcd the entire speech, with 
scarcely a skip. The light at times, which came 
from the electric lam]>s. w.ts s(» poor that he could 
not see the lines of his note book, or even the lead 
pencil marks that he w!lx making. l)Ut lie knew 
that he w.is going through the motions, and the 
ne.Kt day the entire speech appeared in the Repub- 
lican. 

Three years ago .Mr. King gave up editorial work 
and ficcepted tlic ai)pniiitnu'nt f)f official stenogr.i- 
)ilici- in the Kiftecnth .Imlicial Circuit of Michigan. 
His time outside of court work is given to the edti- 
cation of his four boys in habits of industry on a 
40-acre farm that lies just outside of the city limits 
of Three Rivers. His family consists of one daugh- 
ter. May. .and four sons, 'i'lic former is the wife 
of Adam ShalTer, fif Fabius. The sons all make 
their home with their parents. They arc named: 
Herbert H.. James ( i.. .lohn AN. and Henry H. Mr. 
King is a member of Charles T. l-'oster I'ost No. 
47, (1. .\. H.. of Lansing. Mich., and was formerly 
Adjutant (leneral of the Department. In politics 
he is a Hepnblican. 

■■.- go . I . fg- 



eALVIN K. DOCK is a representative of 
the citizen-soldier element of this great Re- 
public, which, since the close of the war, 
has done so much toward developing the magnifi- 
cent resotircc.>( of the country, and to promote its 
unprecedented growth during the last quarter of a 
century. Our subject has a fine military record, to 
which his children an<l his children's chddren m.iy 
point with pride, as it was won by braver}' and 
cfflciency on some of the hardest fought battle-fields 
of the late Civil War, retiring from the army witli 
the well-earned rank o[ Lieutenant. Me is now 



V 



quietly living in the comfortable home that he has 
built for himself au'l his family on sei'tion ■>. Fa- 
bius Township, since those stirring days of the great 
Rebellion, .'uid he is siicccssfidly conducting farm- 
ing and stock-raising on land which he has purchased 
since his return from the scat of war, undergoing 
all the |)ioneer labors of felling trees and grubbing 
the stumps from the soil with a giub hoe, before 
he could cultivate his land. 

Mr. Dock was born Nov. 4. 1H34, in Union 
County, Pa., being the eldest of the three children 
of .lacob and Klizalieth (.Snyder) Dock, natives of 
Pennsylvania, but of Ciernian descent. There is a 
curious and interesting liit of history- connected 
with the origin of his mother's family name. The 
first who bore the name w.as a little lad who was 
kidiKippcd and taken from Holland when he w.as 
too young to talk |)lainly, anil, as his father had 
l)een a tailor, which in Dutch is achneidcr. he was 
called the young schneidei. From liiin there came 
a large family of .Snyders, as tlie name is now spelled , 
and from them Snyder County, Pa., gets its n.aine. 
Our subject's father died when Calvin K. was about 
eleven years old. and his mother followed in a few 
years. Their son Henry lives in Freebiirg, Pa., 
and is married and has three children. He served 
in the army nine months. Edward, the other brother 
of our subject, died 3'oung. 

Calvin E. Dock, being thus left an orphan at an 
early age, went to live with an uncle, and .assisted 
him on his farm. He was alw.aj's kept busy, and 
his means for obtaining an education were very 
limited, and six months will coverall the schooling 
that he ever had. Being naturally brightaud quick 
to learn, and with keen observing faculties, he has 
acquired an amount of knowledge that many do 
not possess who have spent many j-ears between 
the walls of a school building. At the age of eight- 
een Mr. Dock commenced to learn the carpenter's 
traile, which he fi>llowed for some two j-ears, and 
then abandoned it for that of a blacksmith, of which 
trade he gained a thorough in.ostery, serving in a 
carriage-shop for that purpose for three j'cars. 
He then went to Bellevue, Ohio, where he opened 
a blacksmith-shop, and was very successfully en- 
gaged in prosecuting his trade there until the break- 
ing out of the war. During the course of his resi- 






■^^ 



•270 



^•^HK-* 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



fleiice in Rellcviio he marie the .acqii.iintanc-e of 
Miss .Julia Picaifi, and lo lier he was uiiite<l in mar- 
riage April 2."i. 1859. Mrs. Dock is the tliird cliilil 
in a family of eight, horn to Raphael and Uehecca 
(Mertz) Picard, natives respectively of Germany 
and Pennsylvania. She was born in Snj"i1er County. 
Pa.. Dec. 30. 183.5. The record of her brcither and 
sisters is as follows: Klvina married Henry Geui- 
lierling, whose sketch is given on ant)ther page of 
this work; Rosa married Pharis Gembeiling, and 
lives in Snyder County. Pa. ; Fannie married Pharis 
Maines, and lives in St. Joseph Count3', Mich.; 
Klizalieth married Henry Fisher, and lives in Elk- 
hart, ]nd.; .Sarah married James Rowe, and lives 
in Clyde, Ohio; Jane married Eilward Horger, and 
lives on section 3, Fabius Township; Morris lives 
in Texas. 

August 15. 18G2, is the date of the enlistment of 
our subject lo take part in the war. he then becom- 
ing a memlier of the 1 lltli Ohio Infantry, and for 
three years and nine months he underwent the 
harilships and sufferings of a soldier's life. an<l so 
faithfully and courageously did he discharge his 
duties in camp and on the field that his services 
were rewarded by promotion from time to time, 
until he received the commission of Lieutenant. 
He has modestly withheld all account of his life as a 
soldier, and has scarcely given us any data with 
regard to it. We can simpl3- stite that he took 
])art ill man J- battles, among the worst of which 
were tliose fought at Richmond and Mt. Sterling, 
Ky. He escaped unscathed by a single wound, 
although he was in the midst of much hard fight- 
ing. He was, however, disabled at one time b}' 
being llirown from a bank, while in the discharge 
of his dutj'. by an unruly team. He was honorablj' 
discharged from the service April 20, 1866. After 
his retirement from the army Mr. Dock came to 
Michigan, and purchasing forty acres of uncleared 
land, turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. 
With the aid of the ax and grubbing hoe, and 
with untiring perseverance, he has cleared this and 
put it under excellent tillage. He has since added 
ten more acres, and liis farm now ranks among the 
best managed in the neighborhood. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Dock ten children have been 
burn, of whom seven are living: Webster L., born 



Aug. 14, 1860, is a teacher by profession, com- 
mencing that vocation at the early age of fifteen; 
he now lives in the c<jppcr regions of Michigan, 
and holds the principalship of the High School in 
Calumet. William R. A., born Dec. 4. 1861, is a 
farmer in Nebraska; C. Ellswnrth. born Jan. 1, 
1863, is a railroad man; Charles F.. born Mayo. 
18G6, lives in Clyde, Ohio; Raphael G., born March 
15, 1868; J. James was born June 7, 1871; Sarah 
Cecilia, born Aug. 14, 1869, died Aug. 16. 1870; 
Julia M., born April 2, 1873, died Sept. 11, 1881 ; 
Leona was born July 9, 1875; and Lillie Maj', 
born in 1879. died September 13 of the same year. 
Mr. and Mrs. Dock are respected by all in the 
community, and their genial hos|titality m:d<es their 
home attractive to their many friends. Mr. Dock 
has alwa3"s voted the Republican ticket, but is in- 
clined toward the Union Labor party in his politi- 
cal views. He has served this township as Drain 
Commissioner, and has been closel}' connected with 
its educational interests, as he has served on the 
School Board for twelve years. Socially, he is a 
member of the G. A. R. 



-^^-^- 



J^ OHN C. McKERCHER. who is numbered 
' among the valued citizens of NottawaTown- 
I ship, ind who is a i^ioneer of this county, is 
' the son of Malcolm and Anna (Campbell) 
McKercher, the father a native of Schenectady 
Count3', N. Y., and the mother born in Scotland. 
The latter emigrated with her parents to the United 
States in 1813, when a child of three years, and 
settled with them in York. Livingston Co., N. Y. 
She remained in that place a period of thirteen 
years, then removed to Genesee Count}', where 
she died Oct. 21, 1827. In the meantime she had 
met and married the father of our subject, who 
after her death came to .Michigan, in 1837, locating 
in Moscow Township. Hillsdale Count}-. 

Malcolm McKercher found his waj' into St. Jo- 
seph County in 1854, and p.assed the remainder of 
his life at the home of our subject, flying Jul_v 18, 
1863. The parental family numbered five children, 
of whom John C. was second in order of birth. 
He first opened his eyes to the light May 14, 1818, 




■•►Hh-^ 



ST. .lOSKPlI COUNTY. 



■1 '.' 



i' 



in York. Livingston Co., N. Y. In that county he 
sjjent his early il.nvs, anrl mingled with the exer- 
cises of the sciuiol-hoiise were tlioso which coiiM be 
entnisleil to iiiin in connection with tlie fiirni worii, 
until, almost unconsciously to himself, he was able 
to lake his place as an able worker in any dcpart- 
nicnl thereof. 

l)ur subject accompanied his fatiier's family to 
lIills<lalo County, Mich., in 1X37, and it was not 
until \f<,'>i that he made his advent into this county, 
settling in Nottawa Township, of which he has 
been a continuous resident. Mis beautiful farm 
numbers IGO acres, and it is to be doubted if anj" 
of those of larger ejrtent are more perfect in their 
operations and workings. The chief fKjeupation of 
the proprietor has been to bring it to a high state 
of cultivation, and its present condition will amply 
testify that his labors have not been in vain. 

Margery .ludson is the name of the lady wiiu 
first became the wife of our subject, the wedding 
t.aking place in Hillsdale County, Mich. This niar- 
riaire was blessed b_v the birth of one chibl, a daugh- 
ter. Margery, now Mrs. Austin W. .Stodden, who is a 
resi<lent of Centreville. Mrs. Margery McKercher 
died in Moscow, ,Iuly 0, 184.5, and our subject was 
again marriol, this time to Mrs. Margaret Mc- 
Kercher, widow of John McKercher, of JIoscow, 
Hillsdale County. This latter union resulted in the 
birth of a son. Malcolm, who remains at home with 
his faliicr, his mother, Mrs. Margaret McKercher, 
having died in Nottawa Township. 

The third marriage of Rlr. McKercher took place 
in Centreville. this .State. Feb. '2.1, 1S74, at which 
time Mrs. Mary Ten Hronk. widow of Rev. G. V. 
Ten Hrook. became his wife. Rev. Ten Brook 
organized the Baptist Church at Centreville, of 
which he remained the p.astor until his de.Mlh, and 
was beloved and respected b^' all who knew him. 
Mrs. McK. by her former marriage became the 
mother of a daughter, Lottie E.. now the wife of 
Malcolm McKercher. the son of our subject bj- his | 
second marriage. The present wife of our subject 
was born in Milford, Otsego Co., N. Y., Nov. 9, 
1829. ! 

Mr. McKercher has l)een the recipient of many 
of the local ollices within the gift of the people, 
having served for ten consecutive years as Super- i 

4* 



visor of Nottawa Township. While a resident of 
Hillsdale County he held the offices of Township 
Treasurer and Highway Commissioner. Our sub- 
ject is a consistent ineml)er of the Unileil Presby- 
terian Church, vvhile his wife holds fellowship with 
the Baptist. Mr. McKercher attlliates with the 
Republican party in his position upon political 
questions, and has for years been one of its stout 
adherents and doughty friends. He and his estim- 
able wife are prominent in local society, and are 
gladly welcomed into the best circles thereof. 

— -, « :§3 4; . v~ 




*BNb:RP. SHI-:PIIKRI)S0X. an influential 
citizen of Fabius Township, h.as for many 



years been identified with the farming and 
stock-raising interests of St. .lose|>h County. 
During his long residence here he has shown him- 
self to be, both in public and private life, a man of 
sound judgment and of fearless integrity, one who 
is careful and considerate in his dealings with 
Others, and who thoroughly deserves the confidence 
and respect with which he has inspired his neighbors. 
He was born Sept. 1!), 1827, rn Delaware County, 
N. Y., a son of Joseph and Jerusha (Pratt) Shepherd- 
son. His father was a native of Connecticut, of 
English descent, born Nov. 19. 1794. The mother 
was a native of Vermont, the date of her birth be- 
ing April 29, 1798. Our subject's father was reared 
in his New ICngland birthplace, and when a single 
man .accompanied his father, who settled in Dela- 
ware County, N. Y., ami there he worked with his 
father at the carjHMiter's trade. He was three times 
married. Of his first marriage, with the mother of 
our subject, five children were born, of whom Ab- 
ner P., who was the next to the youngest, is the 
only survivor. The record of his brothers and sis- 
ter is as follows: Jerusha. born Dec. 22. 1820, mar- 
rie<l Joseph Bullock, and died .Inly 8, 1840, leaving 
one child; Joseph w.-is born July 6, 1822, and 
died Feb. 4. 1 8.3.') ; Adam C. born Jinie 24. 1824, 
dieil Nov. 19, 1887, leaving four children, who live 
in .Michigan; Timothy, born .lune IC, 1830, died 
Oct. 4, 1830. The following is the record of the 
five children born of tlie second marri.age: Oliver, 
born March 2, 1832, now lives in Cass County, 



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272 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 




Midi., is ni.irried. aiifl iuis two livinsr cliihlreii ; Re- 
becca, born May 13, 1833, marrifd Valenline Bea- 
dle, wliose sketeli appears on another p.ige of this 
vohin)e; Francis M.. born Nov. G. 1841. died Jan. 
5. 1850; Jesse C. born Aug. 26, 1844. lives in 
Broome Count}-, N. Y.; Polly, born April 9. 1846, 
died in June, 1870. unmarried. Mr. Shepherdson's 
third marriage was without issue. He was also a 
farmer as well as a carpenter, and in 1846, after 
settling up his affairs in New York, he came to 
Michigan, and purchasing forty acres of land in 
Kalamazoo County, town of Portage, immediately 
entered upon its improvement. He was an indus- 
trious, active man. and was doing well in his farm- 
ing when Hip sfi'l misfortune of losing his second 
wife by death determined him to break up his home 
liere and return to New York. Afterward, in com- 
pany with his third wife, he spent one summer in 
Michigan with oursubject. He returned to Broome 
County, N. Y., in August, 1854. and died in July, 
1855. 

The early days of our subject were spent on a 
farm, and notwithstanding that his help was often 
required at home, he gained a good common-school 
education by diligence and close application to his 
books when lime permitted. He was quite young 
whou his own mother, a good .anil true woman, de- 
parted this life. He was nineteen years old when 
he came to Michig.an with his father, full of youth- 
ful vigor, well trained in agricultural pursuits, and 
ambitious to make liis own way in the world by the 
use of brain and muscle, thus placing himself 
among the self-made men of St. Joseph County, 
who have been the making of the county and of the 
townships in which they have settled. His father 
gave him his time nine months before he was of age, 
and he went to work with a will to accumulate 
money enough to buy a farm of his own. He was 
then §5 in debt, but he worked by the d.ay or month 
until he had not only paid that, but had almost 
enough to buy his father's farm when his father re- 
turned to New York, going into debt only some 
§300 for it. He says he found that sura much 
harder to pay than the $1,100 or *1,200 that he had 
to pay years later for a substitute when he was 
drafted into the Union Army. His farm now com- 
prises 100 acres of land, all well improved, and its 



abundant harvests bringing him in a good annual 
income, besides what he derives from the sale of his 
stock. He also owns valuable property in Three 
Rivers. 

By unremitting labor, economical and shrewd 
management, Mr. .Sliepherdson was enabled to es- 
tablish a comfortable home by the time he was 
twenty-five years old. and to the3'oung lad}' whom 
he invited to share it. Miss Helen M. Moon, he was 
united in marriage March 18, 1853. Mrs. Shepherd- 
son was born in the western part of New York, near 
Honeoye, Jan. 7, 1836, being the eldest of the six 
children born to William and Cordelia (Crooks) 
Jloon, natives of New York, and early pioneers of 
Mic^higan, coming to Kalamazoo in 1837, when 
their daughter Helen was but a year and a half old. 
Mrs. Shepherdson has now living two sisters and 
one brotlier. The latter, William S. Moon, is a 
machinist, and resides at Lake Linden, Mich., and 
h.TS three children. Her sister, Almina C. Ross, lives 
at Hancock, Mich., and has five children living and 
one deceased. Her other sister, Mrs. JL A. Dun- 
can, lives at Calumet, Mich., and has a family of 
four children living, anil two deceased. The union 
of our subject and his wife lias been blessed by the 
birth of three children: Joseph W.. born March 26, 
1854; Lizzie C, Oct. 11, 1855; Abner E., Sept. Ut, 
1869. Joseph married Bertha Kent, and they m.ake 
their home in Hart. Oceana Co., Mich., where he 
is employed as a clerk in a shoe store: their only 
child, Ray, born May 24, 1883, is now deceased. 
Lizzie married Harvey A. Wing, June 13, 1881 ; he 
is a real-esUite .agent in Duluth, Minn, 'i hey have 
one child, William, born May 24, 1883. Abner E. 
is an artist of much talent, and he is now in busi- 
ness as a photographer. i 

Mr. Shepherdson exerts an influence for good be- 
yond the boundaries of his own township, and has 
done much to promote the improvement of this sec- 
tion of Michigan, and has conscientiously and sat- 
isfactorily discharged the duties entrusted to him 
when holding public office. He h.as been Road 
Commissioner for three years, was Su|x;rvi.sor one 
year, and was appointed Special Drain Commis- 
sioner for the two counties of Cass and St. Joseph in 
1883. He has taken a warm and active part in ad- 
vancing the religious and moral elevation of his 



T 



■^•- 



^i^h-* 



ST. .lOSKPH COUNTY. 



27:5 



a<li>|>lr<l county. Imvinjj lonjf lieen one of tlic load- 
in<r menilnTs of the Methodist Protestnnt Clinrc-li 
in Fnliiiis Townsliii). of wlijeli lie is Local KIMor. 
'rnislee suul Sunday -sciiool SupiMinlendent, and be 
lias also served as Steward and Class-Leader. 

EDWIN K. HILL has lon.u: been closely i<len- 
titicd with the financial interests of Southern 
' Michigan; first as an enterprising business 

man of C'okin. and now. for some years, .ts a promi- 
nent and wealthy hanker of that place, he being 
the senior member of the banking firm of K. Ilill 
i<r .Sons, of the Kxchange Hank, lie was born in 
C'hen.ingo County. N. Y.. the fourth child in a 
family of five children of Klisha and Maria (Cooley) 
Hill, natives of New York. His mother was a 
daughter of Col. Cooley, an officer in the War of 
1H12. She died when our subject was an infant, 
and wiieii he w.as about eighteen months old his 
father married again. .Miss Pamelia I'ope, a native 
of Cherry N'alley. N. Y.. becoming his wife. She 
was the daughter of .loli and Sarah Pope, and the 
mother of 'riioiiias .1. Hill, junior member of the 
bank. 

The father of our subject w.ts reared on a farm, 
and after attaining manhood he became prominent 
in the administration of the public affairs of Ctie- 
nango County, N. Y.. where his home was. He 
servetl in various official capacities; w.as Sheriff of 
Cheniingo County, and .Tustice of the Peace for 
several years, besides holding other important of- 
fices. I'nder the continued strain of such an active 
life, his health gave way, and, closing up his affairs 
in New York, he came to Michigan in the hojic 
that change of scene ami climate woulil prove bene- 
ficial to him. He settled in St. .loseph County, in 
the town of Sturgis, and engaged in farming on a 
new place. He remained there twoyears, his health 
continuing to fail, and for three j'ears he was an 
invaliil. In 1HJ9 he removed to Coldwater and 
opened a hotel, which he managed for two years. 
He then removed to Colon, where he engaged in 
the same business. Mr. Hill also engaged in an 
exten?ive mercantile business here with his sons. 
closing the hotel to give his entire attention to that. 



Finally, having accumulated wealth by their tran- 
s,nctions, they clo.sed up business and retired for the 
sp.ace of two years, settling up old matters. During 
the war they did a very large business, averaging 
*2H2 a day in l.S(i2. .Mr. Hill was Postmaster of 
Colon for seven years, from IH'i.'i to 18fi0. It will 
be .seen that he was for many years conspicuously 
connected with the leading interests of St. .Toseph 
Ceunty. .-ind that he contributed materially to its 
prosperity. He was a man of keen judgment, 
quick discernment, and sound understanding, and 
he exerted a great inHuencc for good in this com- 
munity. He died in November, I HH.5, after a short 
illness, .it the advanced age of eighty-four years. 
His excellent wife still survives him. an<I makes 
her home in Colon. 

Kdwin H. Hill, of this sketch, was about six _vears 
of age when his father settled in .Sturgis. and there 
he attended the district school, where he obtained 
a very good e<lucation. which he was pre])aring to 
sup|tlement by a cour.se in a school at Olivet, tint 
just then an o|)portuiiity presented for him to en- 
g.oge in the mercantile business, and he unhesitat- 
ingly took .idvant.ige of it. .Vlthough lie was then 
but seventeen years old. he had already displayed 
a marked talent for business, and it had been the 
goal of his ambitions to eng.age in mercantile pur- 
suits. He continued thus eng.iged for some eight- 
een years, and lastly as banker. The ICxchange 
Hank, of which he and his brother are now pro- 
prietors, was organized in the sjiring of 1870. and 
has been in successful 0|>eration ever since, he own- 
ing a half-interest in it. The business of the bank 
is conducted in the most metluMlical and s\steniatic 
manner, and it has been of great benefit to the 
financial interests of .Southern Michigan, the far- 
mers, merchants, and business men generally, find- 
ing it a great aid to them in transacting their 
monetary affairs. 

Mr. Hill was married, in 1856. in Colon, to Miss 
Amelia R. Bowman, who was horn in Pennsylvania 
in 18.'52. .She is a daughter fif .lolin H. and Ann 
(Milland) Howman. natives of Pennsylvania, and 
early pioneers of Three Rivers. Her father built 
the first gristmill there in IK.'Wi, and he w.ts also an 
early settler of Colon, where he built the first grist- 
mill ever erected within its limits, jn 1839. He 



■•► 



f 



4= 



274 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



f 



took an at-tive part in public affairs, and represented 
the county in the Slate Legislature at Detroit two 
terms, lie was a niembci' of the Legislature in that 
city in 1838, wiicn ho received tiic news of his 
wife's death, and tliere l)eing no railways or tele- 
grai)hic coniiniinication in those days, word was 
sent to him aci'oss tlie country liy a messenger, rid- 
ing one horse and leading another for him to re- 
turn on. Mrs. Hill's father died in the city of 
T>exington, Mo., in the year 1855, of cholera, 
he being then sixt3'-one j'ears of age. Mrs. Hill's 
jjaternal grandparents wCre .Icsse and Sally (Aton) 
P)()wnian. Her maternal gr.andfather w.as William 
.Milland; his wife's name before marriage was Rit- 
tenhouse. On both sides they were natives and 
lifelong residents of Pennsylvania. Bishop Bow- 
man was a cousin to 3Irs. Hill's father, and the 
family have been for many years prominent Jletli- 
odists. 

After marriage ^Ir. and Mrs. Hill settled in 
Colon, where they have since livetl. and their tine 
brick residence is one of the handsomest and most 
subst.antial looking dwellings in the place. Their 
otherwise happy married life has been saddened by 
the death of their two sons, bright and promising 
young men, the elder of whom was a great help to 
his father in his business. John II. died first, be- 
fore reaching his majority-, his death occurring Feb. 
28, 1871(. Klisha B. died Nov. 22, 1882, at the 
age of nearly nineteen years. They were dutiful 
and affectionate sons, and were well beloved by a 
large circle of friends. AVe cannot think, however, 
that tliese brave, devoted young lives have come to 
naught, but would fain have those who mourn 
their loss believe with the poet that '"Death is but 
a great event in the life of the soul. It is a change 
and not a dissolution. It is the gate to a new 
sphere, in which the mind, enriched with larger 
powers, shall enter upon broader fields of action 
and duty, where nobler struggles shall task the 
strength, and more precious crowns award the vic- 
tor — where the hoi)es and the dreams of earth 
shall be turned to sight, and the broken circles of 
life be rounded to the perfect orb." 

Mr. Hill is regarded as an honorable liusiness man 
and a public-spirited citizen, and as their expression 
of confidence in him. his fellow-citizens have often 



•►HH^ 



elected him to olllces of trust, whose duties he has 
discharged with a single eye to the good of the 
])ubliQ. He atliliates with the Democratic party, 
which has no more sincere and active supporter iu 
all St. Joseph County than he. He ha.s often been 
sent as a delegate to the State Conventions of his 
l)artj-. 

-^-^~^^-^--£^ 

'S| J. FIRESTONE, editor and i)roprietor of 
the Colon Express, has a brilliant future be- 
fore him ;i.s a journalist of no mean ability. 
!^^// as is shown by the successful management of 
his paper, which is already classed among the most 
popular and newsiest newspapers in the county, and 
it is welcomed in m.any househokls far and near, as 
it has nearly doul>led its circulation since coining 
into the possession of our subject in January. 1888. 
The Erpress is independent in politics, with views, 
opinions and expressions that are its own on any 
and all of the topics that are under general discus- 
sion to-day. 

Mr. Firestone was born in December. 1858, in 
Elkhart County. Ind.. being the second in tlie fam- 
ily of seven children of Jonathan and Catherine 
(PefHy) Firestone, natives of Ohio, who moved to 
Indiana in the early diiys of its settlement. His 
father is a prosperous carjjenter and joiner, and re- 
sides near Goshen, Ind., where he is actively en- 
g.aged .at his trade. He is a valued memlier of the 
community where he lives, as he is a man of well- 
balanced intellect, capable and shrewd, discreet and 
honest in all of his dealings, .and with his wife 
occupies a high social sliuiding. The paternal 
grandparents of our subject, John and Catherine 
Firestone, were natives of Maryland, and his great- 
grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution. His 
maternal grandparents were David and Mary Pefflv, 
and on both sides his grandparents were early pio- 
neers of Ohio and Indiana. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in Elkhart 
Coiintv. the place of his l)irth. and received a lili- 
eral education in South Bend, Ind. After leaving 
school, he commenced to learn printing at Ft. 
W.ayne. Ind.. and w.as thus engage(l .also at Soutli 
Bend, and tlien in Chicago, where he worked in the 
Inter-Ocean and Tribune offices, and w.as also at ^ 



^ 



■^•■ 



ST. .lOSIiPH COUNTY. 



4> 



275 



one time in tin- cinplov of Donahue it Ilonnclicrrv; 
and with tliis varied experience he gained a tiior- 
oiiirh iniisterv of the art preservative. In IHMl he 
eslalijishi'd the .Vriros l{i[fli''U)r. at Arjjos, .Marshall 
Co.. Ind. lie h.'id eharije t>f the same one year 
and a half, when poor liealth of his wife eaused him 
to sell. He airaiii removed with his family to.Sjuth 
Hend. Ind.. where tliey remained until he purchased 
the Cohiii AoA-p DrcPZP. .Ian. 1(». IK««. cliani.nnsj its 
name to the Colon Express^ and enterinii; at onee 
upon Its management, is now condiietinj; it with 
eneouraiiiinsi success, furnishinix his suhscrihers with 
a wholesome, wide-awake family paper, wherein 
home and forcijjn affairs are discussed in an alile 
and inteilisent manner. 

Mr. Firestone was married in Ohio, Aug. 21t, 
1880. to Miss Lizzie A. Eveland. She was born in 
Pennsylvania in 18(>1. and w.as the eldest of the 
six children of Daniel M. and Amanda H. (Zuber) 
Eveland. natives of Pennsylvania. They migrated 
to Ohio at an early date, hut are now residing in 
Mendon, Mich. The pleasant and happy home of 
our subject and his amial)Ie wife is bles.sed by the 
l)resence of the two children. Audrey Kloise and 
Claude K.. who have been l)orn to them. 

Mr. l'"irestone is a man of fine mental gifts, of 
sound principles, and of blameless life. lie does 
not take an active part in politics, and is independ- 
ent and unliiassed in his views of the questions that 
aL'ilate the various parties of the d.ay. lie has the 
welfare of his fellowmen deeply at heart, and is 
an earnest worker in everything tending to i>ro- 
mote the interests of .society. Mr. Firestone is a 
member of the I. O. (). F.. .and of the International 
Typographical Union of North America. 

■ •" "^ • ^ ' I ' - ' l 



\|;A.MKn M. I.AIUD. liveryman .and horse- 
I dealer, is a resident of .Mendon \illage. lie 
is the son of the late Henry W. Laird, and 
was Ixirn in Oxford. Ihitler Co., Ohio. Dee. 
2, |.-i|«. His father came to .Michigan an<l settled 
in St. .lusepli County, bringing our subject with 
him, and engaged in the business of farming in the 
northern part of the county. Here our subject 
lived until he wils twenty-one years ohl. when he 




came to Meiulon and entered into busine.-is for him- 
self, .selling flour and feed, in company with his 
cousin. Ceorge Laird. The\- continued this busi- 
ness together about eight months, when they dis- 
solved, and our subject rented a farm in Nottawa 
Townsliip. which he i>perated for three years. 

l'ros|)ering in his farming venture, our sulijecl 
purclijised a tract of eighty acres in Xottawa Town- 
ship, which he operateil for a period of six years, 
when he rented his farm and came to Meiulon again 
and engaged in the livery l)usiness. At the end of 
seven months he found a luirchaser for his busi- 
ness, and .selling out, went to Sturgis. engaging in 
the same line of business there, which he carried 
on for about ten months, when he again returned 
to Mendon opening another livery barn, which he 
operated in conjunction with the one in Sturgis. 
He ilid this for two or three years, when he airain 
sold out. 

After remaining idle a short time. .Mr. Laird 
again eng.aged in the old busiiU'.ss. in which he has 
since continued. He is a thorough horseman, un- 
derstands the care and management of stock in all 
its branches, is a gf)od trader, ami finds his greatest 
source of enjoyment in handling his horses. He 
buys .and sells hor-ses. buggies, and vehicles of all 
descriptions, runs a line of city express, operates his 
farm, which he still owns, and does a general liv- 
ery business, all of which occupies his time com- 
jiletely. 

The subject of this sketch w:ls married. .Sept. .'). 
1870, to Miss Libbie C. Avery. This lady w.as 
born in Canandaigiia. X. Y.. and died in .Mendon. 
Sept. it. 1882. He w.as married. Dec. o. 188L to 
Muss Rose Baer. who was born in South Heiid. Ind.. 
in I8(!.'). She is a most estimable lady, is educated 
and refined, lic^^iil.'.; licing a most excellent house- 
kc»eiier. 

.Mr. Laird i.s an enterprising, go-ahe.ad business 
man, obliging when opportunity offers. Although 
eng.aged in the business of dealing in horses, lie is 
notably fair in all his transactions. He is well 
liked and respected by the citizens of the town 
where helive^. lie is largc-hearte<l. public-spirited 
and progressive in his ideas, and Is in all thin<rs a 
g(Mid. law-abirling citizen. His stables are st<K'ked 
with an exit'llent grade of animals, his outfits are 



,t 



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4 



276 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, 



\ 



new and of the latest improved styles, .and anyone 
liavinir any dealinsr with Mr. Laird will lind him 
in nil respeets a perfectly honest, nprijrht and 
straiii-htforward ifentlenian. He liiu* never sought 
or held any ofliee of public trust, although he has 
heen solicited to accept favors of that kind from 
his fellow-citizens. Iiut lie i)refers to devote ium- 
.<elf to his chosen work. 

RKDKRICK CL'STKU, one of the prosper- 

P' ous agriculturists of this county, and owner 
of 160 acres of well-tilled land in Colon 
Township, on section 21. is a worthy representative 
of that class of citizens that might l)e designated by 
the term of German-American. He w.is boru in 
the Fatheiland on the 3d of May. 1836, and reared 
upon the farm of his father, continuing to reside in 
his native land until he came to this countrj' in 
August, 1863. Until that time and ever since he 
had left school he had been engaged at farming. 

Landing at New York City after a long, tedious 
and trying ocean trip, he came direct to this county, 
and began to work out by the month. This he 
continued for about six 3-ears, when he rented land 
in Colon Township until 1876, and then purchased 
his present farm. It includes 160 acres and is thor- 
oughly well improved, as he h.as taken the greatest 
possible pride in making it the most jjroduetive and 
best improved in the district. 

On the 30t.h of April, 1 839, there was born to 
John and Mary Miller, at Mecklenburg, (tcrmanj', 
a daughter, who received in her baptism the name 
Sophia. She grew up in her native countrj', was 
there educated and continued to live until the \'ear 
1864, when she came to America, and made her 
home at Colon. This ladj' became the wife of our 
subject at .Sturgis, on Whit-Sunday in 1866. Their 
family circle includes nine children, who bear the 
following names: Charles, Emma, Henry, William. 
Fred, Minnie. .Mary, Lydia and Lizzie. Of these 
eight are still living, and one, Heniy. died when 
about two years of age. 

Only those who have experienced it can under- 
stand the many dilliculties, objections and trying 
circumstances that are grouped arouml the wrench- 



ing asuniler of old .associatitms, the severance from 
home and friends, and leaving home and country to 
seek a possible bettering of opportunity and position 
amid new surroundings. Our subject is one, who, 
while recognizing the full force of these things was 
not afraid, buoyed as he was l.y hope anil ex|)ect- 
ancj', to launch out, even though it cost the pain of 
parting with those who had hitherto been known 
and held as dear. He has certainly not made a 
mistake, though it might be onl}' that he has bet- 
tered his condition in giving to his famil}- the 
bright, free, uidiainpcrod life that is afforded to the 
citizens and children of this Republic. 

Mr. Custer has filled a number of school offices 
with abilit}-. He is not attached to either |)olitical 
part3' and votes indcpen<lently. being decided in 
every case by the ability and fitness of the candi- 
date, and the needs of the people. Both he and 
Mrs Custer are devout members of the Lutheran 
Church, of which they have been faithful adherents 
since their confirmation. 



OSEPH MUMBY. Whatever calling he may 
pursue the average man appreciates courtesy' 
on the part of his fellows, and this element 
of character h.as really' much to do not onl}' 
with a man's standing in society, but his success in 
life. These thoughts were especially called to mind 
in the interview of the biographer with the subject 
of this sketch and his estimable lady. They are 
numbered among the most valued citizens of Men- 
don Township, and have a very pleasant farm home- 
stead eligibly located on section II. 

Mr. Mumby was born on the other side of the 
Atlantic, in Lincolnshire, England, May 4, 1833, 
and there spent his boyhood and youth, employed 
mostly at farming after leaving school. At the age 
of twent}" years he resolved to seek his fortunes on 
another continent, and in 1853 he embarked at 
Liverpool on the sailing-vessel '"Roachambo." of the 
Blackball Line, and after a voy.age of six weeks 
first set foot upon American soil in the cit}- of New 
Y'ork. Thence he made his way directly to Michi- 
gan, locating first in Kalamazoo Township. Kala- 
mazoo County, where he engaged in farming. After 



"► m <• 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



••^ 



277 



a sf>jotirn there of about seven years, crossing tlie 
Mi!-si>!:i|i|ii, he spent alioiit two yenrs in Colorado 
and New Mexico, finally seUiiii<r in MoiiUma, where 
he was enjjaged in farniinj; and niining almut eight 
years. At the lime when he arrived there it was 
not surveyed, and Mr. Mum by was one of the first 
company which discovered gold there in 1862, in 
I'ike's Peak gulch. Deer Log Valley-, on the head- 
waters of HIackfoot River. There were in the part}' 
Mr. Bozeman, who lai<l out the cil}' of liozeman, 
on the lie.ndwaters of the Gallatin; >Nanuiel Downs, 
John Carrnlhers, Thomas Neals, Michael Harkens 
and several others. At the time the only inhabit- 
ants were Indians. 

From Montana Mr. Muraby. in 1870, returned 
eastward to this county, and purchased, in Mendon 
Township, the farm which he now owns and occu- 
pies. He has ninety-six and one-half acres, upon 
which l:e has erected good buildings and effected a 
vast imiirovemenl upon its original condition. After 
his return from the Far West he was married, in 
the citj' of Kalamazoo. Oct. 2. 1870, to Miss Jane 
C. IJaker. who was born there July 10, 1837. Of 
this union there were two sons only: William E., 
born June 24. 1871, and George 1$., Dec. 8, 187.5. 
'J'hey are promising \ouths, being trained and edu- 
cated in a manner befitting their station in life, as 
the representatives of a family of more than ordi- 
nary wcirlli and intelligence. 

William and Uebecca (Everett) Mumb}', the par- 
ents of our sul)ject. were also, like their son. natives 
of Lincolnshire, England, where they spent their 
entire lives. The father was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and the home circle embraced nine children, 
seven udw living. James .Muniby. a brother of our 
subject, with his family, came here in the spring of 
1883. The parents died Nov. 27, 1880, anil M.iy 
2G, 1881, respectively. Mrs. Mumby is the diiughter 
of William II. and Margaret (Wigley) Baker, who 
were natives of England, and the father nearly all 
his life engiigeil in farming. They came to Michi- 
gan about 183(). and .Mr. Baker died at their home 
in Kalamazoo. Dec. 18, 1887. After the death of 
her hu>band Mrs. Baker came to the home of her 
daught<>r. Mrs. .Mumby, with whom she is still liv- 
ing. Shu had a family of two children, the other a 
resident of Kalamazoo. Mrs. Mumby acquired a 



common-school education, and was trained \>y her 
excellent mother in tlnjse household duties the 
knowledge of which has so much to do with the 
happiness and comfort of a home. Our subject and 
his highly res|)ecteil lady number their friends by 
the score in Mendon Township, and their home is 
proverbially one of the most pleiisant places of re- 
sort within its limits. 



^OUN W. HALL. Colon Village numbers 
among its substantial citizens no man more 
deserving of consideration and respect tiian 
the subject of this sketch. He owns a fine 
farm in the township, embracing 250 acres of valu- 
able land, but has retired from active labor, leasing 
his land to a tenant, and is now enjoying the fruits 
of his early industry in a pleasant and comfortable 
home, among the friends who have known him for 
so many years, and among whom he has built up a 
record of an honest man and a good citizen. 

The father of our subject, (Jeorge A. Hall, and 
the mother, who in her girlhood was Miss Mary 
Aim Burton, were natives of New York State, and 
after tlieir marriage settled in Can.ada, but a few 
3'ears later came back to the States, ami moving 
westward lo<jk up their resilience in Boone County, 
III. There the father engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, and spent the remainder of his life, resting 
from his labors in 1861. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
seven children, of whom John W. was the second. 
His birthplace was near the town of Brantfoi'd in 
Upper Canada, where he first opened his eyes to the 
light Aug. 24, 1833. He lived with his parents 
until a 3'outh of fourteen years, and ujwn leaving 
the home roof niigrated to Kalamazoo County, 
this .Slate, and for three years thereafter occupied 
himself at farming. We next find him in Centre- 
ville, this county, where he learned cabinet-making 
and undertaking, established In business for himself, 
and prosecuted these combined until 1 8U.5. Then 
selling out. he invested tlu? proceeds in the farm in 
Colon Towuship, of which he continues the posses- 
sor. Upon this there was great room for improve- 
ment at the lime of its purchase by our subject, and 



*■ 




.t 



278 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



its present contlition is the result of his industry 
and good management. 

One of tlie most interesting periods in the life of 
our subject comprises the time which he spent as a 
soldier of the Union Armj-. In August, 1861, he 
enlisted in Companj- A, 11th Michigan Infantr3-, 
and entered with true patriotism upon the discharge 
of his duties in connection therewith. The great 
change in his mode of living, however, had its 
natural effect upon his health, and eighteen months 
later he was obliged to accept his honorable dis- 
charge on account of disability'. In the meantime, 
however, he had made a visit home, and was mar- 
ried in Centre ville, in October, 1862, to Miss Mary 
Ann Sanderson, an adopted daughter of Isaac 
Balote. of Centreville. When the soldier lad re- 
turned home for good they took up their residence 
in Centreville. 

Mrs. Hall was born in Sherman Township, this 
county, in 1845. and of her union with our subject 
there is one child, a son, Isaac Charlton, who was 
born in this count}' in October, 1863. Mr. Hall 
in 188.0 invested a portion of his capital in a stock 
of general merchandise, and established in business 
at Colon, being thus occupied two or three 3-ears. 
He has been a leading man in his community and 
alwaj's tiiken a warm interest in its welfare. He 
was Deputy Sheriff of .St. Joseph County two years, 
and has held the office of CoiisUilile in Colon Town- 
ship a period of twelve years. He uniformly votes 
the straight Republican ticket. Sociall}-. he occupies 
the post of Commander in Henry M. Liihller Post 
No. 131, G. A. R., at Colon. Mr. Hall is at present 
engaged in the livery business, keeping a good 
supply of horses and buggies for the accommoda- 
tion of the public. The barn is in connection with 
the St. Joe Hotel. 



-•-w-<;iaer©-ij@~^^^»'®ta'OT7rv~' 




4 



•S)^ ISS MARY C. FONDA is a well-known 
and highly respected lady of Fabius Town- 
ship, where she was reared and whore Mie 
has passed most of her life, although she is 
a native of New York. .She is a lady of intelligence 
and culture, and wnrthil}' represents tme of the 
honored pioneer families of .St. Joseph County. Her 



home, which she inherited from her parents, is 
pleasantly located on section 6, and the kindly, 
courteous hospitality of its hostess renders it at- 
tractive alike to friend and stranger. 

Miss Fonda is a Ijneal descendant of one John 
Fonda, a representative of an ancient Holland fam- 
il}% and one of four brothers and sisters who left 
their native land about 1690, and coming to Amer- 
ica, identified themselves with the early settlers of 
New York State. He married in this country, in 
1694, Marrietta Looker, and Miss Fonda traces her 
descent to him through his son Dow, who married 
Altia Underkirk in 1727. Dow's son Jacob, great- 
grandfather of our subject, married Derik}' Fisher 
in 1768. Harmon, son of Jacob, married R.achel 
Lansing <n 1797, and of that union Lansing Fonda, 
father of our subject, was born May 17, 1801, 
probablj' near Colioes. N. Y. The Fonda family 
were people of wealth and position in New York, 
and Lansing was thoroughly educated in the city 
of Albanj'. N. Y. Subsequently his father, a wealthy 
farmer, went security for four merchants, who 
failed, and he became bankrupt. This brought out 
the true nobilit}' of the son, who did not hesitate 
to put his shoulder to the wheel and accept a life of 
lal)or as his lot instead of the one of ease and cult- 
ure to which he had been reared. 

Mr. Fonda married, in 1832, Nellie Ann Van Pat- 
ten, daughter of Aaron and Esther (Hart) Van Pat- 
ten, who was born Feb. 1 3, 1 808. In 1 848 Mr. Fonda, 
thinking that he could better his condition and im- 
prove the prospects of his chlhlren, determined to 
leave the old home in New York and settle in 
Michigan. After his arrival here he located in St. 
Joseph County, on eighty acres of land^that he had 
entered from the Government, now owned by his 
daughter of whom we write, and the house that he 
built at that time is still standing and is occupied 
by Miss Fonda. He had but #1 with which to be- 
gin his new and strange life, but he bravely entered 
upon his career as a pioneer, and suffered all its at- 
tendant hardships without a murmur, and by 3-ears 
of patient toll cleared a comfortable home from the 
primeval forests of Michigan, with the able and 
willing assistance of his devoted helpmate and com- 
panion. When Mr. Fonda took possession of his 
lanil he found a few logs rolled together, which 



-4»- 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY, 



■*^ 



27;t 






some one else li:»(l almndoned, ami from thorn he 
erected a shelter for his faiiiii^'. lie eouM (irot-urc 
iu> liimi>er for a tloor, and lived one year williout 
an}- floor to iiis dwelling, and with only oil cloth fur 
roof, door, etc. ; they had brought earpieting with 
tlieni, which served as mats. Mr. Fonda shouldered 
his ax and went to Ceiitreville, where he labored 
for fifty cents a day to supply the actual necessities 
of life for his family, and thus they strujrgled along 
untd a clearing was u'ade and garilen stuff could lie 
raised. Final!)' the farm was cleared, and under 
careful cidlivatioii l)ecame one of the most valnalile 
in the vicinity. Miss Fonda's mother ])l;inte<l the 
walnuts and butternuts from which sprang the 
beautiful trees that now adorn the yard and east 
grateful shade over any wlut. weary and licaifd, 
seek repose beneath their branches. 

The death of Mr. Fonda, Oct. •>', l.S(;0, was felt 
to be a severe loss to the communit\-, where he 
was held in honor and esteem as a high-minded, 
open-hearted man, of liberal views, and of more 
than orilinary intelligence. He led a strictly up- 
right, moral life, and no one ever doubted but that he 
was filled with the true spirit of Christianity, al- 
though he never identified himself with any church- 
He always took a deep interest in educational af- 
fairs, and served on the .School Board much of tiie 
time. In his political views he w.is an old-line 
Whig. His wife survived him many years, her 
death not occurring until Dec. ."), 18SG. .She w.is a 
woman who.se character commanded the respect of 
all about her. and was a consistent member of the 
Free-Will Baptist Church. Lansing Fonda was the 
second in a family of live children, the driest being 
his sister .Sarah. She was born July 13, 17S8, and 
married I.-aac .Major, wlio left four children, one of 
whom. Fonda Major, still lives near Cenlreville, this 
county. Dow Fonda, a younger brother of the 
father of our subject, was liorn March 19, 1804. 
He never left his native New York, but spent his 
entire life there; he married and had six children, 
three of whom are still living in that .State, near 
Amsterdam. .lane Fonda was born April I'J, ISOK. 
married fii->t Isa.ic Neff. by whom she had two chil- 
dren, and she afterward married .lohn Potter, by 
whom she had three children ; »he moved to Iowa, 
where she died. Dcrika, the youngest sister of the 



father of our subject, was born Oct. .0, 1810. and 
died July 1, 181;'). 

To the worthy |)arents of our subject seven chil- 
dren were born in New York, but only three lived 
to come to Michigan with the parents in 1818. 
These three are still living, and are as follows: 
Ksther Louisa, Maria Jane, and Mary C, the subject 
of this sketch. Esther was born .Iiine 1 . 183'2, mar- 
ried William Gear. Jan. 1, is.jl.and is living in 
Fabius Township; slie is the mother of five children, 
four of whom are living, namely: William, Kliza, 
James and Olivia. .Maria was liorn Dec. 9, IHll, 
married John S. Norllirnp. Aug. 23, 1H,")7. and is 
living in Flowerfield; she is the mother of ten chil- 
dren living. 

Mary C. Fonda, subject of this sketch, was born 
Aug. G, 1847, in DeWitt Township, (Onondaga Co., 
N. Y. She was scarcely a yc:ir old when her par- 
ents left her native town and came to Micliig.m to 
make their future home, and amid the pioneer sur- 
roundings of her enily life she developed a strong 
and gracious womanhood. Notwithst;in(ling their 
primitive style of living, necessitated by the times 
and condition of a comparatively newly settled 
country, her parent*; gave her a careful training, and 
as a supplement to her education in the schools of 
Michigan her father doubtless taught her much, as 
he w.as a man of superior education. .Since the con- 
trol of her father's homestead has fallen into her 
hands she has shown herself to be fully capable »>f 
managing her affairs, and is regarded as a woman 
of clear intellect, 8oun<l judgment and much ability. 
.She is living quietly in her old home, deserving 
and receiving the regard and nspecl of all in the 
communit}'. 



i|/_^ FNUY K. FAUKANl). The subject of this 
)ji biography during his lifetime was one of 
the most prominent, successful and useful 
$ men <jf .St. Joseph County. Honorable and 
upright in all his transactions, and a man of more 
than ordinary capabilities, he forn)ed no unimpor- 
tant factor in this section of country, with whose 
interests he was identified for a period of fifty- 




i 



4^ 



280 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



three j-ears, and in whose prosperit)- he entertained 
the deepest interest. He was instrumental in the 
advancement of ever}- important enterprise in his 
own neijyhborhood and vicinity, and was freqiientlj' 
intrusted with the settlements of valuable estates, 
those in manj' cases requiring the most careful 
management and having great interests at stake. 

Mr. Farrand served as Supervisor of Colon Town- 
ship a period of eleven years, from the spring of 1872 
to tlie spring of 1883. During this time his influ- 
ence was given to those projects tending to the 
moral and educational advancement of the com- 
munity. He contributed liberally toward the erec- 
tion of the .Seminary building, and the Air-Line 
Railrt)ad. an<l upon the outbreak of the Rebellion 
labored incessantly in support of the Union senti- 
ment, making it his business to see that the quota 
of the township was properly filled in sending its 
soldiers into the army. lie saved to the county the 
sum of §25,000 in connection with railroad bonds, 
and at every turn endeavored to serve its interests 
in such a manner as would reflect credit upon him- 
self and the people around him. 

Mr. Farrand was a practical and scientific farmer, 
delighting in the i)ursuit of agriculture, and noth- 
ing was jjleasanter to his ej'e than the green meadows 
and fields of growing grain. Whatever duty he 
undertook he considered it w.is , worth}' of doing 
well, and in all the relations of life, whether labor- 
ing for the public or in behalf of his own interests 
and those dear to him, he preserved the same 
equable temperament and unostentatious fidelil}- to 
duty which could not but have an important influ- 
ence upon those with whom he came in contact. 
His death, which occurred Nov. 27, 1887. after he 
had numbered seventy-five j'ears, was a loss to this 
county felt by all, both far and near. He was 
mourned by hosts of friends, including a devoted 
wife, a number of children and grandchildren, and 
many relatives. 

The father of the suliject of this sketch was Joseph 
Farrand, the son of Pliineas Farrand, who was born 
in Morris County, N. J., and married Miss Jolia 
Compson, a native of the same State. The grand- 
parents of our subject first settleil in Ca3-uga County, 
N. Y., anil thence came to Michigan in 1S37. set- 
tling in Colon Township, this county, on section 



16, where they continued to live during the re- 
mainder of their days. The grandmother dieil Jan. 
8, 1845. Her husbjind, surviving her a period of 
ten years, passed away Dec. 4, 1854. 

Joseph and Jolia Farrand became the parents of 
eleven cliildren, eight of whom lived to mature 
years, namely: Charles C, Ebenezer, Junius H., 
Electa M., Henry K., Catherine A., Abigail E. and 
Phineas. The latter .iccom pan led his father to this 
State, and since that time has been a resident 
of Colon Township, a perioil of fifty-one j'ears, 
during which time he has given his whole at- 
tention to agricultural pursuits. Further details 
in regard to his life will be found in his biographj', 
given elsewhere in this volume. 

Henry K. Farrand was the fifth child of his par- 
ents, and a native of the same town as his father, 
Mentz, Cayuga Co., N. Y., where his birth took 
place June 19, 1812. He came to this count}' 
in 1830, and located upon a large tract of land in 
Colon Township. He did not. however, settle here 
at lliat time, but returned to his native State, and 
upon coming back to Michigan, in 1837, took up 
his residence on section 16, where he made his 
home until his death. He was greatly prospered 
iu his labors as a tiller of the soil, investing his 
capital in additional land, and in due time owned 
the largest extent of any man in the county. 

Mr. Farr.and erected the residence now occupied 
b}' his widow in 1852-53. It is a commodious and 
substantial structure, one that will stand for years 
to come. Adjacent to this he put up good barns 
and out-buildings, and gathered together the ma- 
chinery requisite for prosecuting agriculture after 
the most modern methods. His industr}' an<l enter- 
prise were proverbial, and he passed few idle houi-s. 
In addition to looking after his own extensive in- 
terests, he kept steadily in view the matters calcu- 
lated to advance St. Joseph Count}', socially, morally 
and financially. 

Mr. Farrand received only a district school edu- 
cation, and at an early age was taught those habits 
of industry and economy which proved the secret 
of his later success. His first business venture was 
the renting of a tract of land near his father's home- 
stead, in Cayuga County, N. Y. In the spring of 
1836, the farm which he hail rented for a term of 



■► i r^vr 



ST. JUSKl'H COUNTY. 



28 1 



_ycars havin|i been sold, he surrentlerert his lease, 
and shortly afterward came to Michigan to seek a 
h>cation, witli the results which wc have already 
indicated. lie was coni])elled, however, to return 
to the Empire .Stale to harvest liis crops there and 
dispose of them, and this being done he returned 
west and took up his permanent residence in this 
county. The journey was made with a team of 
horses and a wagon, and he was accompanied bj' 
his aunt, Maria Farrand, they coming by the way 
of Canada. While on the road lie overlook his 
brother, Charles Farrand, who had settled near Burr 
Oak. The wliole party put up at the house of 
Loransi Schellhouse, on the 12th of October, and 
remained there until our subject could build a log 
cabin. This humlilo abode remained the dwelling 
of himself and his family for a period of seventeen 
years, when it gave place to the present residence. 

On the I7th of December, 1h;J7, onrsubjoct was 
united in marri.ige with Miss Maria, dangliler of 
Levi and t^unice Mathews, whose parents were 
natives of Plymouth. Conn., and who spent their 
la-st days in Colon Township. Mrs. Maria Farrand 
was born in Plymouth, Conn.. Nov. 23, 1817. Her 
union with our subject resulted in the birth of five 
daughters and one son, namely: Ann Kliza, Mar- 
garet S., Henrietta .M., .lulia E., Frances Eugenia 
and Charles H. The mother of these children de- 
parteil tiiis life .July 1, 18.0.5. She was a lady pos- 
sessing all the womanly virtues, and was admirably 
adapted to her position in life, as the wife of the 
pioneer struggling to make his way through many 
ditliculties. fShe was for a number of years before 
her death a devoted member of the Episcopal 
Church. 

Mr. Farrand contracted a secon<l marriage, .Sept. 
M, 1H(;.'», with Miss Phebe M.. daughter of Leonard 
ami Mercy lilauclmrd. who were natives of New 
York, and are now deceased. This lady was born 
in .Marcellus, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Nov. 2(>, 1827. 
Of this union there was born one child, a daughter, 
Louisa K. Mitchell, who died at liu? age of four 
and one-half years. .Mrs. Phebe M. Farr.-ind died 
Oct. 1, 1884, anil on the 27th of .lune. 188.",, our 
subject w!is united in marriage with Mrs. Anna 
(IJurrouglis) llovl. widow of Allen Hoyt. and a 
native of Moultouboro, N. H., where she was born 



May 15, 1813. Mr. Hoyt came to this county in 
1835, and died in Colon Towushi|), April 12, 1880. 
His marriage with Miss Burroughs took place in 
Colon Township. Aug. 9, 1856. They were the 
parents of one child, Alvin .1., who is farming 
in Colon Township. 



-'•' t - ns - t " 




EXRY IIAHT.MAN. The .State of I'enn- 
sylvania has furnished some of the most 
substantial citizens of the (ireat West, and 
among them the sul)ject of this sketch, a 
well-to-do farmer of Nottawa Township, is contrib- 
uting his quota toward the development of the soil 
of St. .Toseph County. He is now operating a large 
farm of 240 acres on section 21. and is the owner 
of eighty-three acres of good land in the vicinity 
of Centrcville. 

Mr. Ilartinan was Ixu-ii in Heaver Township. 
Snyder Co., Pa.. May iK 184.$. and lived there 
on a farm with his ])arents until a lad of twelve 
years, when he w.a.s left an orphan witliout means 
.and obliged to look out for himself. He remained 
a resident of his native State four years thereafter, 
then made his way to tlie vicinity of Hellevue. 
Ohio, where he worked out by the month, and con- 
tinued a resident of the IJui'keye .State five yeai-s, 
and until coming to Michigan, in .Scptemlier. 18()!t. 

Our subject first purchased, in Fabius Township, 
tliis county, a small tract of land, which he occu- 
]>ied until the spring following, then sold out. and 
for two years thereafter rented a farm in Park 
Townshii). Thence he canu' to Nottawa Township 
and rentefl a farm two years: he then purclui-seit his 
present pro|)erty near Centreville. where he lived 
until the spring of 1888. He bad made such good 
headway financially, that with a desire to operate 
more land he rented his own farm, and remove*! to 
that u|M)n which he now lives. He possesses all 
the sturdy |H'rseverance of his Oerman ancestry, 
and is a man prompt to meet his obligations and in 
all respects a worthy citizen. 

(ieorge Hartman. the father of our subject, was 
also a native of Snyder County. Pa., and married 
Miss Sarah E. H.-Lsscnger. of tliat region. They 
Ijecame the parents of nine children, and sfjent their 

■ » 



r 



.► i r ^ 



282 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



entire lives in the Kejstone State, dying in Snjder 
County. Of these children our subject was the 
third, and five are still living. 

Mr. Ilartmau was married in Sandusky, Oliio, 
Sept. 12, 18(>;5, to Miss Leali Kline, daughter of 
Joseph and Catharine Kline, the latter of whom 
died in February, 1884. Mrs. Ilartmau was born 
iu .Snyder County', Pa., Jan. 9, 1843. and lived with 
her parents until her marriage, receiving her edu- 
cation in the common school. Of her union with 
our subject there have been born six children: 
llaHif \\ .: Eldora, who died in cliildliood; Ida M., 
Franklin Henry W. and Mabel E. Ilattic is the wife 
of .lames AVeidnt. and resides in Nottawa Township. 
Mabel E. acquired a good education and taught 
school before her marriage. !Mr. Ilartman, politi- 
cally, attiliates with the Kcpublican partj'. His 
little farm of eighty-three acres is provided with 
fair buildings and is increasing in value yearly, 
lie keeps good grades of live stock, and carries on 
agriculture in tliat thorough stj-le which is charac- 
teristic of the Pcnnsylvanian. 



^ OIIN HENRY WORTIHNGTON.Supervisor 
of Mciidon Towiisliip, was born in St. Law- 
rence County. N. Y., March 10, 1837, being 
^^; the fourth of twelve children, tbe offspring 
of William and Mary (.Smith) Wortliington, who 
were natives of Hull, England. They were reared 
and married in their native citj-, where tliej' lived 
nnlil 1830, then emigrating to America, settled in 
St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where the father en- 
gaged in agriculture, and where they lived a period 
uf six j-ears. Then coming to Michigan in 1842 
they settled first in Brady Township, Kalamazoo 
C'ountj% where the father carried on agriculture, 
and where the mother died in lSii8. William 
Wortliington is still living, making his home with 
his son Thomas W. in Brady Township, being now 
advanced in j'ears. 

Our subject was a little lad five years of age 
when be came to Michigan with his parents, and he 
remained under the home roof until thirteen years 
of age. He then commenced working out for the 
farmers in his neighborhood, being thus continually 



emploj-ed until reaching his majority and turning 
over his wages to his father. After becoming of 
age young Wortliington started out for himself, 
single handed and alone, and in order to better 
fortify himself for the struggle before him he joined 
hands with one of the most estimable ladies of his 
acquaintance. Miss Sarah Bourn, their marriage 
taking place at the home of the bride in Meudon, 
June 30, 1858. Their wedded life began in ac- 
cordance with their means and position at a modest 
dwelling in Mendon, and Mr. AVorthington occupied 
himself as before iu farming until making his first 
purchase of land in 18G2. Upon this he labored 
industriously early and late in the cultivation of 
the soil, the placing of fences and the erection of 
buildings, until his homestead bore fair comparison 
with those of the enterjirising men around him. He 
has now one of the finest farms in his township, 
comprising eight}' acres of carefully cultivated land, 
which, vvith its surroundings, although making no 
pretension to mngnlficence. is eiitirel}' comfortable 
and affords a most pleasant country home. 

Mrs. AVorthington is the daughter of Ezra and 
Lois (Hicks) Bourn, who were natives of Onondaga, 
and who removed from Onondaga County, N. Y., 
in the spring of 1841 to Southern Michigan, settling 
ill Mendon Township, this county, of which the}' 
remained residents the balance of their lives. The 
father departed this life Aug. 5, 1863, and the 
mother Julj' 4, 1867. They were the parents of 
four children, one of whom is living. Of tijese 
Mrs. AV. was the youngest, and was born in Onon- 
daga County, N. \., Dec. 11, 1837. Of her union 
with our subject there have been born eight chil- 
dren. The eldest son, Delmer L., married Miss 
Nettie Keefer, and resides in Mention; Ida L. is the 
wife of Chester Stevens, of Fillmore Count}', Neb. ; 
Clara B.. Mrs. Edward Troy, lives at Mendon; Lot- 
tie K., AVilliam H.. Charles C, Grace M. and George 
I. are at lionie with their parents. 

Mr. AA'orthington has been quite prominent in 
township affairs, serving as Constable three terms. 
Highway Commissioner nine j'eai-s. Justice of the 
Peace four years, and has represented Mendon 
Township in the County Board i>f Supervisors also 
four years. He and his estimable wife are promi- 
nently connected with the Methodist Episcopal 



»► l l^»" 



,t 



isT. JOSEl'Il COUNTY. 



283 



Churcli, in wliirli Mr. W. Iins officiated as Stuwnnl, 
C'l:i5>s- Leader and Triisfu. .Socially, lu- belongs to 
Blue Lodge No. 137. A. F. it A. M., at Mendon, and 
|U(litically, nniforniiy votes the Repniilican ticket. 
He is iinnilicred among the puhlic-spirited citizens 
who have effected the development of .Mendon 
Townsliip, and given to it its repntatlon as a coin- 
nuinit^' of more than ordinary intelligence. His 
amiable wife and interesting children comprise a 
family of which any man may well be proud. 

JAMES SLMl'SON. The gentleman whose 
name stands at the head of tliis biography 
is a man of more than ordinary abilities, 
skillful .as an agriculturist, thorough and 
reliable in the transaction of business, and one who 
is held in the highest esteem by the peo|)le of liis 
communily. A man seldom idle when not em- 
ployed about his own concerns he gives thought to 
tha welfare of the peo|)le around him. and his talents 
have been given a generous recognition by his fel- 
low-citizens, who frequently apjMjint him to jxjsi- 
lions of trust and responsibility. In his immediate 
neighborliofxl lie has served as Commissioner of 
Highways and School Mcnlerator. and is a member 
in good standing of the I'nited I'resbyterian 
Church. Politically, he is independent, making it 
a rule to give his supjxjrt to the men whom he 
«'onsiders best qualified to serve the interests of the 
jKKjple. 

Of excellent antecedents, our subject was born on 
the other side of the .Vtlantic. in County Tyrone. 
Ireland, about the summer of 1H3I, and continued 
n resident of his native country until a young man 
twenty years of age. His jtarents. .lohn and Re- 
becca (Adams) Simpson, also natives of County 
Tyrone, spent their entire lives in Ireland. Their 
family con>i>ted of five children. .Tames being next 
to the youngest. Of the others three are still living. 
Mr. Simpscm came a single man to .Vmerica 
aliout 1K.">3. and making his way westward lfM>k up 
his alicMJe in Nottawa Townyhip. this ctiunty. of 
which he has since been a resident. The first year 
and a half after his arrival here he worke<l out 
uijon a farm, then cultivated land on shares for a 



l)eriod (tf four years. Having now gathered to- 
gether a little capital, he purchased Kid acix's of 
wild land in Nottawa Township, and which is in- 
cluded in liis jiresent farm. This lies on section 
23. and Mr. Simpson Inis occupied it since the fall 
of IK.'i'.t. rpon it there were no improvements at 
the time of his purclnise. and the greater jtart of 
it w;is covered with timber. He set about felling 
the trees and effecting one improvement after an- 
other, as he was able, in the meantime kee|iing 
bachelor's hall for several years, until he felt as- 
sured that he would be equal to the task of taking 
care of a family. 

.Mr. Sinq)Son tinally began to see his way clear 
to a comfortable living and something besides, 
and Oct. U>. 1H7(!. took unto himself a wife an<l 
heljuuate, Mrs. Nettie 15. .\dams. wnlow of Andiew 
Adams, and daughter of Charles Dearth. Mrs. 
Sim|)son was liorn .lune 2(1. 1K-1"». in I):irke County. 
Ohio, and spent her childhood and youth in Uerrien 
County. .Mirh. I b r lii'^t Inisband. .Mr. Ailams. was 
a merchant and farmer by occupation, and died in 
lierrien County, this State, in 1 «()'.(. They were 
the parents of two children, both daughters; Lydia, 
at home, and Olive, wlio died Nov. It, |HH«. To 
Mr. and .Mrs. Simpson there have been born three 
children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Rebecca, 
dieil when two years ami three months old. Mary 
N. and .Tames R. are at home with their parents. 

^AMES II. RARDEEN. one of the voters 
who in 1H40 cast their ballot for Old Tippe- 
canoe, and again in 1 8HH for his grandson, 
Benjamin Harrison, justly prides himself 
upon the rich experience wiiich has been his during a 
long and changeful life. He i> now nuinberc<l among 
the represpntative men of Menilon Township, who 
came to Michigan during its pioneer days and as- 
sisted in the first development of her resources. 
A native of Cayui,'a County. N. Y., he was born 
near the town of .Mentz, .(an. 20, 1M14. and has 
consequently more llian passed his threescore and 
ten years. 

Daniel |{arileen. the father of our subject, was 



.► ir^ 



284 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



nlso a native of the Empire State, and nianied Miss 
Kosetta Moore, who was also born ami reared in llie 
same vicinitj'. Tlie fatlier was a farmer bj- occu- 
pation, and the parents spent their entire lives 
in Ca3'uga Count}', dying at Mentz, in 1<S41 and 
1852 respectively. The household circle was com- 
pleted by the birth of nine children. James II. was 
the fiftli cliild, and .spent his Ijovlmod and youth at 
his father's fann. remaining under the parental roof 
until a young man twenty-three years old. 

In the spring of 18o7. soon after Michigan had 
been admitted into the Union as a State, Mr. Rar- 
deen made his waj' to Calhoun Count}', but only 
sojourned in that vicinity about three montlis, com- 
ing then to this county, and for a period of three 
years was employed as a farm laborer. In the year 
1810 he returned to his native .State, but in the 
spring following came back West and engaged in 
farming in Mendon Towns^liip until 1852. At this 
time, on account of impaired health, he determined 
to seek the Pacific Slope, and started overland across 
the plains, reaching California after a journey of 
four months and one day. He entered the mines of 
Nevada County, and was also employed on a ranch 
during his sojourn of three years in that region. 
Tlien returning to this county he took up his resi- 
dence in Mendon Township, but about 1859 turned 
his steps once more towanl the setting sun, and was 
absent a period of five years in California, engaged 
in mining. 

Mr. Rardcen returning once more to Mendon 
Township, in the year 1864 located on the land 
wliich he now owns and occupies, and where he has 
since live<l. This is eighty acres in extent, and 
upon it he has erected good buildings aud effected 
tlie other ira|)rovements necessary to the comfort 
and satisfaction of the progressive farmer. There 
has been journeying with him a period of over 
forty-five years one of the most estimable of ladies, 
who in her girlhood was Miss Laura A. Welhy, to 
whom he was married April 30, 184.'!, in Burlington, 
this State. 

Mrs. Rardeen was born in the town of Galen, 
W.ay ne Co.. N. Y.. Feb. 1 0, 1 82 1, and is the adopted 
daughter of Ancil I. and Loretta Wetliy. who spent 
their last years in IJurlington. Of this union there 
have been born five children, of whom the record is 




as follows: Betsey A. is the wife of Rinaldo IMatti- 
son. of Jlendon; George AV. died wlien a little lad 
four years of age; John F. is farming in Mendon 
Townshij); Laura E. is the wife of LaFayette Ul- 
rich. of Mendon; James A. died in infanc}'. 

Mr. Rardeen, during his early manhood, was a 
member of the old Whig party, but upon its aban- 
donment by the organization of the Republicans, in 
1856, he cordially endorsed the principles of the 
latter and has since l)een one of its most earnest 
adherents. Mrs. Rardeen united with the Free-Will 
Baptist Church when a young girl fifteen years ohl. 



=E>- 



^ RS. CATHERINE A. HAMILTON occu- 
pies a good homestead on section 3 of 
Mendon Township, which is pleasantly lo- 
cated and embraces 230 acres of good 
ImikI. with all the necessary buildings. This prop- 
erty was left her by her late husband, John A. Hamil- 
ton, who departed this life July 27. 1885. He was 
a native of Delaware County. N. Y., and came to 
the West about 1837. Of this union there were 
born five children, the eldest of whom, a son, 
Thomas, is a resident of Kalamazoo County. Eliza- 
beth died at the age of eighteen months; the third 
child, an infant, died unnamed ; Elma is the widow 
of Jacob Weinburg, of Kalamazoo County ; John 
V. is a resident of Mendon Township, 

Mrs. Hamilton was born in .Monmouth. N. J., 
Nov. 8. 1815, and w.is the third in a family of six 
children, the offspring of William and Adeline (\'an 
Doren) Voorhees, both also natives of New Jersey, 
and the father born in Monmouth. They remained 
residents of their native State for a time after their 
marriage, then removed to Lysander, Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., where the father wiis occupied at farm- 
ing, and where his death took place Oct. 11, 1830. 
The mother, about 1840. came to Michigan, and 
died at her home in Mendon itbout 1852. 

Miss Voorhees came to Ann Arbor, this .State, in 
the year 1837, where she lived three years with 
a friend, and was first married, March 23. 1840, to 
John C. F. Mcrritt. .Mr. M. was a native of West- 
chester County, N. Y., and came to the West early 



< 



f 



ST. .lOSKIMI COUNTY. 



••^i 



•'s,-i 



\r 



in life. Mr. anrl Mrs. Merritl in November follow- 
ing their niarriiijfe came to tliis county anrl settled in 
Mcndoii 'I'owiislilp, where Mr. Mcrrilt licitnn farm- 
ing. an<l whore his deatii tuok phu-e on the olh of 
March, \H[4. not quite four years from the time of 
their marriage. Of this union there liad l)een liorn 
two children: Mary .1., now the wife of Myron A. 
Fuller, of Grand Traverse County. Mich., and Sa- 
rah A., Mrs. Alfre<l Harper, of Kalamazoo County, 
Mich. 

Our subject was the second time married, in Men- 
don Township. Nov. 7, 1814, to .Mr. flamillon. In 
religious matters Mrs. Hamilton is a member of the 
Adventist Church, as was also Mr. 11. She is a 
lady having many friends in her coniniunit}-, being 
ver}' pleasant and intelligent, jjosscssipg good busi- 
ness capiieities. and managing the projierty left her 
in a wise and judicious manner. 

JfOIlN CL'Ll$El{TSON. Among the promi- 
I nent farmers of Nottawa Township, the sub- 
|| ject of this record occupies a position in the 
}j front ranks. He represents property to the 

extent of 21.5 acres of valuable land, which is finely 
IcK'ated on section 6, and upon which is a substan- 
tial dwelling, erected by his late honored father. 
Adjacent are all the other farm buildings necessary 
for the successful jjrosecution of agricidture. 

.lames Cullwrt.son, the father of our subject, w.is 
born in County Donegal, Ireland, in theyear IHOI. 
The mother, whose maiden name was Charity Lud- 
wig, was born in I'nion County, I'a., where Mr. C . 
settled after his emigrati<m tt> I'nited .States, and 
where they were subsequently married. They lived 
there until coming to this county, in 18;M. The 
father t<;)ok up land on .sectifm 6, in Nottawa Town- 
ship, and was prospered in his labors as a tiller of 
the .soil. He built a goo<l homestead, where both 
lie and his excellent wjfe spent the remainder of 
their d.ays. The demise of Mr. Culbertsun occurr*-*! 
Sept. 20. IHCiO. Ills wife survived him until the 
20th of .May following. Of their large family of 
children, six are living, and ri-sidents mostly of 
Illinois. 

The seventii child i>f .m faniilv includintt seven 



daughters and five sons, our subject w.as born at 
the homestead in Nottawa Tinvn.-hip. on the 17th iif 
.lanuary. IMIl. He received the best education 
which cuuhl be obtained in the common schools, 
and has from his youtii been engaged in farming 
pursuits. Ill' was calleil a bachelor some time be- 
fore his nnirriage, which occurred after he w.as 
thirty-two years old. March 18. 1873. when he be- 
came the husband of .Miss Mattie A., daughter of 
Kcv. Samuel Dunnett, of Aliilene, Kan. This es- 
timable lady was born in London, Canada, .Sept. 8, 
1H17. and received a careful education, residing 
with her ])arents until her marriage. 

Mrs. Culbertson is an extraordinary woman in 
many respects, and at an early period in her life 
gave indications of rare intellectual capacities. At 
the age of sixteen years she obtained a first-class 
certificate, and soon began teaching school at a sal- 
ary in advance of many who had followed the pro- 
fession for years. From a notice gleaned from a 
l>rominent Chicago paper, we insert the following 
fact-s in relation to a career which has been largelv 
in connection with public life. 

While engaged as a teacher Mrs. Culbertson by 
no means dropped her role as pupil, taking for her 
teachers the best writers of the age, .and pursuing a 
course of reading from Shakespeare to Will Carl- 
ton, from Bancroft to Hume, and w.a.'^ .at an early 
age regardetl as an encyclopedia of knowledge. 
From her father, the Uev. S. Dunnett. an Knglisli- 
inan originally of French extraction, one of the 
most able men of the Dimiinion of Canada, the 
author of several books upon theological subjects, 
and one, a logical treatise, entitlctl "I'hilosophy of 
the Memory." Mrs. Culbertson inherits her marked 
intellectuality, good communicative talents, and 
fine executive ability. From her mother, a woman 
remarkable for her beauty an<l grace, she gets the 
poetic elements of her natui-e. 

At the time of the marriage of .Mr. and .Mrs. Cul- 
bertson the former w.as interested in the growth 
and manufacture of e.-isential oils. He had traveled 
extensively throughout the I'nited .States, besides 
visiting Central America and Furope. It was u|>on 
theeveningof the day of return from Kuropethat he 
first met .Mrs. Culbertson (.Miss Matlie Dunnett). 
and was at once attracted to her. It is not necejvsarv 




^^►HK-* 



28f> 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



to narrate the experit'Tice* of tjiis faTiiily during tlie 
panic between 1873 and 1879, following soon after 
their niarriaire. Millions of jjeoplc realized liow 
property values fell and money values rose during 
those dark days of our Hepuhlie; how good young 
men and women were wreekcd V>v that |)anic, or 
nia<le, as were those of this narrative, -slaves to 
gold." Down went values, resources turned to 
liabilities, quiet to litigation, until the beautiful 
home of the C'ulliertsons. called Hiverside. began 
to trenil)le. 

It was during this period, tliougli having the 
care of four small children, and though looking 
well to the ways of her household and assisting her 
husband to attend to a complicated business, in- 
cluding one suit in law which continued during 
seven j-ears, and ended in a decision of the Supreme 
Court, by which several thousand dollars were re- 
covered, that Mrs. C'ulbertson investigated the 
subjects of finance, transportation and tariff, and 
became one of the most thorough [wlitical econo- 
mists in the Nation. Not only her friends and co- 
workers, but even her opponents, admit this fact. 
Hon. J. C. Burrows. l{e|)ublicau Uepresentative to 
Congress from the district in which she resides, 
said in a private letter, "Thougn not personal!}- ac- 
quainted with ]Mrs. Culbertson. yet I know her by 
reputation, and that she is a lady of high character 
and abilily. an<l worthy of confidence." The De- 
troit Triliune added: ".Mrs. C. and her husband are 
very induential in their party." 

The first public speech of Mrs. C'ulbertson oc- 
curred in 1878, at W.isepi. being an impromptu one 
without preiiaration. Though preccdc<l by Col. 
N<n-ton. of Chiciigo, and .ludge Sherwood, of the 
Supreme Court, and a resident of Kalamazoo. Mich., 
she was reported at the time as making the '-inter- 
esting speech of the occasion." Soon after Mrs. 
Culbertson's advent into politics, a fusion was ac- 
complished between the (Greenback and Democratic 
])arties. to which she was \incomproraisingly op- 
posed, and in which she never for one moment 
participated. 

At ( ; rand Rapids, in 1 886, this lady w.ns in attend- 
ance at the convention which nominated the talented 
and brilliant (ieorge L. Yajjlc for (Jovcrnor of 
' Michigan, and with whom, prior to fusion, she 



had s|token upon the same platfoi-ni. and worked 
with in the greatest harmony. "Why." said a man 
from her own county to her, "are you not here as 
a delegate? Do you not respect Mr. Yaple.-" "Yes, 
very niucli. 1 am proud of St. Joe County's gifted 
son; but ] could not disgrace myself, dishonor the 
cause, or discredit womaidiood. by being a delegate 
to a fusion convention." .Mrs. Culbcrtson later was 
a delegate of the Cnion Labor |)arty to Cincinnati; 
was called ujwn. and responded in a speech full of 
thought and replete with wit and humor, laughter 
at times ju'eventing procedure for several minutes. 
It was during one of those outbursts that ( hairman 
Streeter gave her a slip of paix*r upon which was 
written the name of the new party, saying, "Kcad 
it to the convention — they are in a good mood and 
will receive it from j'ou." She did so, and it was 
received with apjilause. ^Irs. C'ulbertson at that 
time was interviewed by a reporter of the Chicago 
Times, wdio was heard to remark .as he moved down 
the aisle of the hall. "That wmnan is .as wise .is a 
serpent on tariff and finance." She expressed her- 
self as satisfied with the |)latform of the I'nion 
Labor party. It was all she hoped for. yet there 
were things not in the platform that she would 
rather see there than wear the best set of diamonds 
in the world. She w.as importuned by delegates 
from many tlifferent States to grace their iilatforms 
and aid their lecture bureaus with her presence. 
She. however, returned to Michigan and assisted at 
home. She made the canva.ss in the Sixth Judicial 
District, the result of which was the election of 
C4eorge P. Cobb .as Judge, and a i)art of the city 
ticket in Bay City. 

It h.as been said of ]\Irs. C'ulbertson "Her rea.<on- 
ing faculties arc very rare." "She is pleasing, 
graceful and witty." "Her eloquence is of the 
highest type." "The true woman's soul that glows 
in her word.s and deeds guarantees her a place 
among the extraordinary women of this country." 
"She is perliaps unconsciously writing her name 
among the noble of the age." "She has fine orator- 
ical powers, and shows wonderful historical re- 
search." "She has an earnestness that reaches the 
heart." "Her lectures are f.'uscinating and brilliant." 
"Truly talents are thine, lofty and bright, the 
subtile shaft of wit and that keen glance of intellect 



••► 



ST. .lOSEPH COUNTY. 



2H7 



tlint r('ii(l<i intuilivi'ly tlio lU'cp and mazy spriiinfs 
of liutnnn nctioii." Vut all of tlu'sc (hviiidle into 
iiisiirnili<'aiici' anil are ihvarfcil when coinparcil 
to tlio i(i<r;inlic' ilinicnsion.s of this woman's lidelity 
to principle and moral couraire. She sacrifices for 
reform, a.s a martyr for his faith, supports as a dev- 
otee his elnirch. r|)on tlie altar of industrial 
reform she lias laid her talents, and outside of iier 
family, her love. 

Mrs. C'ulliertson is not yet middle aj^'ed. Her 
life has been made up of "sunshine and shadow." 
an idolized dauijhter and a beloved wife, with dis- 
position and aliility to bear her part in its strutjsjles. 
For this she is thankful to God. in whom she trusts, 
and whose jrnidance she tmiforndy seeks in her 
labors. She has occupied the platform for some 
eleven years, and althouiih her husband hsxs not 
taken the jn-ominent |iart in political life to which 
she has been led. he is wiliinu: to do whatever lies 
in his power to ch.impion the cause which lies near 
her iieart. Of their union there have been born 
four <'hildren. who bear the names. Kstella A.. Sher- 
man L.. .Vngelo I). 1.. and ( liarles S. 1'. 

J'M)1IN S( IIKRMKUIIOKN. There arc a few 
1 men in every community distinijuished for 
j their intelligence, their liberality and their 
I ])ro.'rre.ssive ide.Ts. Amonjr this class may be 
mentioned the subject of this sketch, who has im- 
proved the years of a long and plejLsant life in the 
acquirement of useful knowledge, and in di.s.semin- 
ating tho.se principles which have intluenced his own 
career. The friend of temper-incc and good <jrder. 
he is a pronounced I'rohibitionist, and in religious 
matters a member in ginnl standing of the Dutch 
Reformed Church, with which he identified himself 
many years .ago. He is residing (piietly on his 
pleasant farnt in Nottawa Townshi]), and which 
embraces about 190 acres of g(K)d land on section 
21. lie has comfortable and substantial farm liuild- 
ings. anrl by a life of industry h:us securi^l a com- 
petence for his declining years. 

Our subject was born in Schenectady County. X. 
Y., at the nuKlest home of his parents, five miles 
from the town of .Sclienectadv. .Ian. 2;'). IHIO. His 



father. John Schermerhorn. Sr.. and his mother, 
who in her girlhood wa-^ .Miss .Maria Slater, were 
also natives of the l-".nipire State, .lolin. .Ir.. was 
the second liorn in a family of live childi-cn, all of 
whom lived to mature years, but of whom four are 
now living. Oui- subject spent the early years of 
his life at the old homestead in his native county, 
engaged, until a youth of si.xteen. in the various 
employments connected thei-ewith. He now com- 
menced learning the cooi)er's tr.ade, which he fol- 
lowed until setting out in life on his own account, 
when he concluded to turn his attention again to 
agricultural i)ursuits. 

The first property of young Schermerhorn w.as a 
farm in Hottcrilam Township, in his native countv. 
upon which he ojwrated until ISGG. He then de- 
termined on a change of location, and selling out, 
removed witli Ins family westward to this county, 
settling in Nottawa Township, of wiiicli he h.as since 
been a resident. 

Our subject w.as married, in Schenectady (V)untv, 
N. Y., to ^liss Rebecca A'edder. who w.os also born 
there. June 21. 1814. This union resulted in the 
birth of eight children, and the mother departed 
this life at her home in Nottawa Township, this 
county, Sept. 4, 1887, when a little over seventy- 
three years old. Their eldest son. John, died in 
childhood; Maria is the wife of Cornelius Viele, 
.and they are now living in Hillsdale Countv; Edith 
married Warren West, who is occu])ied in farmiuLT 
in Nottawa; Robert is carrying on farming in Not- 
tawa Township; Francis was a carpenter by trade, 
and died in Nottawa Townsliip. at the age of thirty- 
six years, in 1883; Omie died at the age of thirty 
years; John is farming in Nottawa Township, and 
Sarah remains at home with her f.ather. 



-i- 



4- 



i~ 



^j NDRFW J. CRAHA.M, deceased. Few 
(@!OI men in Leonidas Township were more 
widely or favorably known than the sub- 
ject of this record. Lil)eral and public 
spirited, he not alone labored for his own advance- 
ment, but since the time of his coming here main- 
taineil a lively interest in the progress and welfare 
of the community about him. He was undeniably- 




28« 



■H^^-^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



one of those men who leave tlieir mark where tliey 
have lived, and whose names are remembered long 
after they have departed henue. 

The fifth child of Orson and I'hebe ( Hartlelt) 
Graham, our subject was born in Italj', Yates Co., 
N. Y., Feb. 10, 1828. He continued a resident of 
his native county until reaching his niajurily, then 
learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in 
the Empire Stale afterwanl for a period of eleven 
years. He continued thus en)ployed for two j-ears 
after coming to Michigan. After that time his at- 
tention was mostly given to agricultural pursuits. 
As a farmer he was thorough and skillful, and as a 
business nmn prudent and fortunate in his invest- 
ments. 

Orson Graham was born in Chester. Windham 
Co., Vt., and his wife, Phebe, in the town of Mar- 
cellus, Mass. After marriage the parents of our 
subject settled in Ital}', X. Y., whence iu 1848 the^' 
changed their residence to Lima, in Livingston 
County, where the mother died a few years later. 
The fatiier passed away in Iloneoye. Monroe Co., 
N. Y. The parental household included seven sons 
and Ihreo daughters. 

Our subject left Livingston County, N. Y., in 
1852. and coming to Michigan settle<l in the unim- 
portant village of Colon, where he prosecuted his 
trade of carpenter until 18,'j4, then settled upon a 
tract of land embracing a portion of section 29, in 
Leonidas Township. His first purchase embraced 
1 20 acres, to which he added as time jjassed on, 
and erected the necessary farm buildings for the 
convenience of himself and family, the storing of 
grain and the shelter of stock. In the year 1880. 
during a violent storm the barn and other buildings 
were struck by lightning and entirely destroj'ed. 
The house also caught fire, but was fortunately' 
saved; he also lost five horses by the fire. Not- 
withstanding these losses he was what nuay be 
termed prosperous, and was generously' rewarded 
for his labors. A new set of buildings soon re- 
l)laced the old c)nes whidi had been destroyed, and 
the farm with its api)urtenances bears fair com- 
parison with anything of the kind in St. Joseph 
County. 

For thirty-one years there walked by the side of 
our subject as his faithful companion and helpmate 

4« 



a lady who in her girlhood was Miss Helen Wilcox, 
and to whom he was married Sept. 19, 1857. Mrs. 
Graham is the daughter of Newcomb and Miranda 
(.Stearns) Wilco.\, who were natives of Naples, On- 
tario Co., N. Y. There also they were reared and 
married, and lived for a time afterward, and then, 
in 1837, came to the new .State of Michigan, locat- 
ing in Sherwood Township, Branch County. There 
the mother died in March, 1884. Mr. Wilcox is 
still living. Their family included two sons and 
five daughters, six of whom are living. 

Mrs. Graham was born in Naples. N. Y., M.ay 21. 
1833, and was the fouith child of her parents. She 
was liut four years old when they came to Michi- 
gan, and w.as reared at the homestead in Branch 
Count}'. She was e<lucated at Albion, Mich., and 
taught school eight years, receiving $1G per month, 
the highest wages she ever received ; she had taught 
as low as $6 per month. Of her brt)thers and sis- 
ters, seven in number, all were teachers. One of 
her sisters is at present a preceptor .at Ludington, 
Mich. Mrs. Graham taught six days a week, and 
hoarded around among the neighbors. Of her mar- 
riage there were four children, of whom the record 
is as follows: Orson B. married Miss Louisa Beard, 
ami is farming in Leonidas Township; Nannie is 
the wife of Clarence Kent, of Union City, this .State; 
Lewis B. married Miss .Sadie Longenecker, and is 
living on a farm iu Leonid.as Township; Harry died 
when a babe of seven nn)nth8. 

Jlrs. Graham has been a member of the Baptist 
Church since eighteen 3'ears of age, and still pre- 
serves her interest in its a<lvancement and pros- 
perit}'. Mr. Graham, politically, w.-is an old-style 
Jacksonian Democrat, and defended his principles 
with all the natural strength of his character. Con- 
si<lering the fact that he came to Colon Town- 
ship with the modest capital of %300, it is to be 
acknowleilged that he did well. 

The following extract relating to the death of 
Mr. Graham is takeli from a local paper: "Andrew 
J. Graham, a highly respected citizen of Leonidas 
Township, departed this life Nov. 22, 1888. He 
was one of a family of ten children, five of whom 
survive him. He was born in Itily. Yates Co., 
N. Y., Feb. 10, 1828. He came to the .State of 
Michigan in 1855, ami worked at his trade, that of 



•«► 



ST. -lOSKI'II COUNTY. 



289 




n cjirpoiiliT and joiner. In I.'^.'in lie wns married to 
Helen N. Wilcox, dnnwhter of Xewconib Wilcox, 
of Sherwood, after wliicli lie located at Colon and 
engaged in inamifaetiiiiiig. In 18;')H he inoveii 
into the township of Leonidas and settled upon 
the farm where he died, which was then almost I 
a wilderness. He had heen in poor health for 
nearly twenty years, lint hore his troubles nn- i 
eonipiainingly. He was an upright citizen, ami 
live<I so ihat he enjoyed the esteem and confidence 
of his neighbors, and departed this life with the 
assurance of rest in heaven. He leaves a wife and ' 
three children to mourn the loss of a kind husband 
and father. In his Inst sickness he was conscious to 
the last, comnu-nded his familj' to the care of God, 
and spoke with rapture of the beautiful things he 
saw. 

'We shall meet, liut we shall miss him. 
There will be one vacant chair,' 

but. "Blessed are the dead who die in tiie Lord.'" 



JIKORGK U. CLARK. The pleasant country 
=. home of this gentleman, which forms one of 



the attractive features of X'ottawa Town- 
ship, and which embraces a portion of section 12, 
is one within which intelligence, culture and educa- 
tion are at once ap|)arent as the leading attributes. 
The dwellers there, while giving due attention to 
labor and its attendant comfortable results, have 
most wisely kept in view the higher life, and never 
permitted the acquisition of gain to infringe upon 
those duties and privileges by which the human 
race is distinguished from the lower animals. Read- 
ing, thought and study have made the home of Mr. 
Clark attractive to the cultured classes, both among 
friends and strangers. 

The subject of this sketch is a son of one of the 
honored pioneers of St. Joseph County, and first 
opened his eyes to the light near the homestead 
which he now occupies. May 4, 1840. His father, 
.lason Clark, was a native of Onondaga County, 
N. Y., and married Miss Lucy A. Dunham, one of 
the associates of his childhood. They emigrated 
t<j the Territory of Michigan in the summer of 
l«3l. settling in the month of .Iiine on a tract of 

-<• ■ 



land in Nottawa Townshi|). The father for a pe- 
riod of ten years battled with the elements of pio- 
neer life, and was then callecl hence, his flecease 
taking place in 1H44, when his son, our subject, 
was a little lad four years of age. The mother is 
still living, having reached an advanced age, and 
makes her home in Kalamazoo County. 

The parental family included five sons and two 
daughters, three of whom are living. Of these 
George U. was the lhir<l in order of birth. He 
was reared upon the farm and conned his first les- 
sons in the district school. Later he attended 
Colon .Seminaiy and the Union schools at Mention 
and Three Rivers. He had just attained his ma- 
jority upon the breaking out of the late Rebellion, 
and in September following enlisU^d in the 11th 
Michigan Infantry for one year. Soon after re- 
ceiving his honorable discharge he again entered 
the ranks, as a member of the 1st Brigade, 3d Divis- 
ion, 14th Army Corps, and thereafter continued 
in the service of his country until the preservation 
of the Union was assured. He endured the usual 
hardships and privations incident to a soldier's life, 
but fortunately escaped wounds and capture, and 
soon after receiving his honorable discharge at 
.Springfield, 111., returned to his native township. 

Mr. Clark being desirous of adding to his store 
of knowledge, resumed his studies in the Albion 
College, where he was graduated from the com- 
mercial department, and upon emerging from this 
institution resumed farming on a tract of land in 
Nottawa Township. His first purchase was eighty 
acres on section 12, upon which he has effected the 
improvements which we behold to-day. The resi- 
dence is neat and substantial, and the barn amply 
indicative of thrift and enterprise. Mr. Clark 
keeps a goodly assortment of livestock in the shape 
of cattle, horses and swine, and to these gives the 
needful care and attention, which to him is a matter 
of pride as well as profit. He has now ninety acres, 
the greater part of which has been thoroughly cul- 
tivated, and yields abundantly the rich crops of 
this region. His nearest trading point is the town 
of Mendon. 

On his return from the army Mr. Clark was 
nnitiMl in marriage, in IHHy, in the little city of 
Burr Oak, to Miss Ida I'ine. This lady was born 



♦ i r» 



t 



4 



290 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



in Hancock, Delaware Co.. N. Y.. Maj' 1.5, 1846. 
an(J is the daughter of Alfred .-ind Phebe A. (Pat- 
rick) Piue, wlio were also natives of the Kropire 
State. The former died in 18G4; the latter is still 
living, and resides with Mr. Clark. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Clark there has l)ecn horn one child onl\-, 
Warren P.. who is now attending Albion College. 

Mr. Clark, politically, is a Republican with strong 
Prohibition tendencies, usually voting the Repub- 
lican ticket. Both he and his estin)able wife are 
members in good standing of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, in which Mr. Clark h.is held the office 
of .Steward and Superintendent of the Sunda^-- 
school. As an ex-soldier he belongs to William F. 
Curtenius Post, G. A. R., at Mendon. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Clark mantain a lively interest in educa- 
tional matters, and in all the enterprises set on foot 
tending to the moral and religious welfare of the 
community, there tlicy are found giving of their 
means and influence. Their home abounds with 
books, papers and magazines, wliidi at once indi- 
cate the manner in which thej- spend their leisure 
Lours. 

G. D. Clark has in his possession an old familj' 
Bible in a gootl state of preservation, purchased by 
his grandf.ather on his father's side in 1814. It 
was printed in 1812. J.oson Clark and Lucy Clark, 
our subject's parents, drew up and signed a tem- 
perance pledge in 1837, and kept it until the day 
of their death; it read as follows: 

Family Tkmi-erance — We this day solemni}' 
agree to never more drink spirituous liquors, except 
in sickness. Jasos Clark. 

Lucy Clark. 

Mrs. Clark has the original manuscript in a fair 
state of preservation. 



(1J_^ENRY N. WARRKN. The most interest- 
jj' ing period in the life of the subject of this 
biographj', and one which he considers of 
the most importance, was that spent as a 
Union soldier in the service of his country. To 
that he looks back upon with satisfaction as to a 
time in which he, with thousands of others, was tried 
and not found wanting. He laid down the musket 



for the plowshare over twentj- years ago. but re- 
calls those years even with their ditBculties and 
hardships as among the most satisfactory of his life, 
in that he did not give his efforts to his country in 
vain. He has since followed the peaceful pursuits 
\ of .igri'.'ulture. and for a period of over thirty-five 
I years has been a resident of tliis county. He has 
now a good farm lying on section 24. in Leonidas 
Township, where he has built up one of the most 
creditable homesteads within its limits. He is a 
thorough and skillful agriculturist, a genial, ho«pita- 
ble and companionable man tf> meet, and one with 
whom m.iy be passed man}' a pleasurable and profita- 
ble hour. 

Kphraini Warren, the father of our subject, and 
his wife, Margaret (Holderidge) Warren, removed 
from Ontario County, N. V.. in 1853 to Michigan, 
and settled upon a tract tif land in Lefniidas Town- 
ship, this county. The father onl}' lived five years 
thereafter, his death taking place in 18,")8. The 
mcither survived her husband a period of twen'y- 
one years, remaining a widow, and departed this 
life at the old homestead, in Februar}-, 1879, The 
lioiisehold circle included eight children, five sons 
and tiiree daughters, five of whom are living. 

The subject, of this sketch, the third child of his 
parents, was born in Naples, Ontario Co., X. Y., 
Sept. 22, 1840. He became familiar with farm 
pursuits at an early period in his life, and with the 
exception of the three years spent in the service of 
his country has bent his energies in this direction. 
He first trod the soil of Michigan in 1853, when a 
lad of thirteen years, and has since been a resident 
of Leonidas Township. 

A few months after the outbreak of the Rebellion 
and a little before reaching his majority, young 
Warren enlisted, Aug. 24, 1861, in Company G, 
11th Michigan Infantry, and much of the time 
thereafter did Corjwral duty. He participated in 
many of the important battles of the Array of the 
Cumberland, and in the fight ;Ct Mission Ridge was 
slightly wounded in the right foot. He was in the 
engagement at Stone River, Chickamauga. Mission- 
ary Ridge, at Atlanta during the latter part of the 
siege, and met the rebels in various other engage- 
ments and skirmishes. Otherwise than the natural 
results of hardship and privation he came out com- 




■♦■ 



ST. .lOSKPH COUNTY. 



291 



))nrntively iinlnrmrc), and receiverl his liononible 
iliseli.'irjcc in I XGl, being imisteriMl out at Stiirgis. 
llii.x Stale. 

Tpon returning; to civil iifi- Mr. Warren resumed 
lii,< residence in Leonidas Township. aii<l in lf<72 
was nin'led in marriage with Miss I.ydia, ilaiighter 
«^f William and Ann (Stimers) Hillinus. The par- 
ent* i)f Mrs. Warren were Imlh natives of New 
York, aii'l the mother spent her last years in Miehi- 
gan. dying in March, l.s.s7. The father is still liv- 
ing. The family consisteil of tivi- children, and 
Mrs. Warren was the second chilil of the family. 
She was horn I'eh. 8, 1849, in Genesee County, 
N. V. 

It is harilly nece.«sary to say that Mr. Warren, 
politically, is an e.-irnest Uepulilican, and suppcjrts 
the principles of his p.nty in the conscientious 
manner which has markeil all his sentiments in life. 
The Warien homestead is one of the pleasantest in 
this part of the county, and under its hospitable 
roof gather from time to time the warm friends 
whom the proprietor and his excellent wife have 
gathered around them by a straightforward career 
which has been unmarked by a dishonest deed. 



-y^-^o 



--Ktl 



„.. D.VMS W.VKK.M.^N. at present residing in 
( Cb/lJ Ii Mendon Village, was the first t)f his broth- 
l!) ers t<j locate in St. .loseph County, whither 
he cnme in the fall of 18:33. while Michi- 
g;m was still a Territory. He locateil his fii-st 
tract of land on section l. Nottawa Township, and 
in the fall of the .same year purchased 240 acres 
additional. The farm Inis been nicely improved, 
the same being adorned with neat and well-ar- 
ranged buildings. Mr. Wakenian, although now re- 
tired from farm life, is entitled to his share of pub- 
lic honors, which is the just due of all early set- 
tlers who have enduretl the trials and hardships 
incident to pioneer life and i)re|>ared the way that 
tlu)se who came .•iflcr miu'lil enjoy the fruits of 
their imlustry. 

Our subject w:u>liorn in llc<lfiird. We.-lchcster Co., 
N. Y.,on the 1st of December, 1H()4. lie spent his 
early days occupied with the sports an<l pastimes 



incident to chihlhood, and gr.adu.ally t.aking his place 
amidst the sterner ilnties of youth and manhoo<l. 
As related alxjve, he made his advent into this 
county in 1H8."5, and three years Later, .Inly 1, 
1836. w.'Ls united in marriage with Mrs. Kliza Hart- 
ley, formerly of I'hiladelphiji. Mrs. Wakeman re- 
moved from the (Quaker State to this county in 
October, 1X32. being a member of the first family 
to settle in Mendon Village, .\fter having spent a 
happy married life of nine years, Mrs. W. liid adieu 
to this life, dying in 18l.'i. 

On the 18th of March. \x:>7. after a lonely life 
of twelve years, .Mr. Wakeman took unto himself 
another companion in the person of .Mrs. .Su.san 
15. Reeves, widow of Lucian 15. Uceves. who dieil 
June l.>. I8.J1. in .\shtabnla County. Ohio. 15y 
this latter marriage our subject became the father 
of two children, 15elle and .lessie. l)oth of whom 
have i)asscd away, leaving behind them naught li\it 
pleasant memories. 

Mrs. Susan 15. Wakeman is a native of Hatavia. 
Oenesee Co.. N. V.. having been born there .Ian. 
3(1. 1821. Ky her marriage with ^Ir. Reeves she 
became the mother of two children: F.lliott D.. who 
dieil at the interesting age of eight years, and Celia 
F.. the wife of W. W. Marantctte; the latter are 
the jiarcnts of a bright little boy and girl, bearing 
the names of Edward Y. and .lessie I. 

In 1855 our subject sold his interest in the farm- 
ing business to his brothers, and removed to the 
village of .Mendon. entering into a copartnershi]) 
with E. L. Y.-iple. This connection la.sted for three 
years, when Mr. Wakeman purch:Lsefl the interest 
of his partner, and took with him into the business 
Charles II. Lewis, the firm style being Wakeman 
<k Lewis. Imt which only continued for three years, 
when William Harrington was taken into partner- 
shi)). Thej- operatefl together in an intelligent and 
s\iceessful manner for the following four years, 
when Messrs. Wakeman it Harrington withdrew 
their connection. Our subject then gave his at- 
tention t<i oiH'rating a sawmill, which he did in a 
very prolitable manner for seven years. He is also 
the projector and builder of the Western Hotel, 
w^hich was destroyed by lire in 1873. Mr. W. at 
once |>rocee<led to rebuild the hotel, the present 
commodious buihiing, which is known :us the Wake- 



i 



-4^ 



■•► 



■•► 



,t 



292 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



man House. In June, 1876, the lea.se of the hotel 
expiring, Mr. Wakeman took charge of it, and 
under the management of liis .«on-in-la\v. Mr. W. 
W. Marantette, it is being conducted in an admir- 
able and satisfactory manner, as all will testify who 
have ever had the good fortune to lodge within 
its walls. Mr. Wakeman w.<is aKso largely inter- 
ested in the stave and heading factory, which did 
a thriving bvisiness in the village. He is a man 
of large humanity and pulilic spirit, anxious to 
do his part in everything that promises to be a bene- 
fit to his surroundings, whether in the county or 
in society. 



f 



JONATHAN FOGLEMAX. On section 26, 
in Colon TowTiship. lies the well-condncted 
lumiestead of the subject of tliis sketch, 
eighty acres of which have been his property 
since 18;')!). .Sul>sequently he i)urcliased forty acres 
more, and now h.ns a good farm of 12(1 acres, which 
lie has lirouglit to a state of thorough cultivation, 
and erected thereon the necessary farm buildings. 
He hiis l)uill fences, phuited trees, and gradually 
added tlie improvements which have made his 
homestead one of the nK)st desiralile in this ]xart of 
the county. A man industrious and economical, 
he has carved out his own fortune by his steady 
])ersistence, wliile at tlie same time his straiglit- 
forward and upright course lias secured him a large 
measure of esteem and confidence to which lie is so 
justly entitled. 

C'onra<l Fogleman. the father of our subject, and 
Ins wife, who in lier girlhood was Miss Catherine 
AValburn, were natives of Leiiigli County. Pa., in 
Soutiieastern Pennsylvania. After marriage they 
went over into lierks, the county adjoining, where 
tlie father employed himself as a d.ay laborer. He 
lived to be an .aged man and spent his last years in 
Pennsylvania, passing awaj' on the 7th of July, 
1887. The mother died while a young woman, in 
18.36. 

The subject of this sketch was the eldest of the 
seven children comprising the family household, 
and was born .\ug. 1."). 1820, in Herks County. 
Pa. lie reni.'iiiicd under the home roof until ,a 



youth of nineteen years aud received his education 
in the common school. Then, in 1839, he pro- 
ceeded to Ashland County, Ohio, and employed 
himself at farming in the Buckeye .State for a 
period of twenty years. Upon removing thence he 
came to this county, and soon afterward made his 
first purchase of land here. The eighty acres upon 
which Mr. Fogleman settled had scarcely under- 
gone any cultivation, and he thus commenced from 
first ]>rinciples to build up a homestead. He was 
married in Ashland County, Ohio, Nov. 25, 1841. 
He first put up a house for the shelter of Ids family 
and gr.adually added the buildings which have com- 
pleted a most comfortable homestead. The maiden 
name of Mrs. Fogleman was .Susan Couj). and she 
is the daughter of Frederick and Mary (Rice) 
Coup, the second of their six children, born Aug. 
2. 1808. 

To our subject and his wife there were born four 
children, the eldest of whom. .Mary Ann, died 
Sept. 24. 1872. at the age of twenty-nine years. 
Sarah Jane, tlie wife of Moses Draper, is a resident 
of Colon Township; Frederick is a resident of 
Hurr Oak. The youngest child died in infancy. 
Mr. Fogleman votes the straight Democratic ticket 
and vigorously upholds the principles of his part}-. 
He served as Roadmaster in his township a number 
of j'ears. Both he and his estimable wife are 
members of the Reformed Lutheran Church, and 
of the Colon Oran2:e. 



■^^^"^^^ffliaa 



iji.n-^n\. 



ellARLES G. LELAND. whose admirably 
kept and well-cultivated farm is situated 
upon section l.of Colon Township, is the 
S(m of Lemuel Lel.and. who was liorn in Sherborn. 
Middlesex Co., Mass. Ill- mother, whose maiden 
name was Chloe Morse. w;is born near the same 
place. They continued to live in that neighbor- 
hood until their death, which occurred, the former, 
Jan. 20. IS.il, the latter. April 7. 1859. They 
were the parents of seven children, our subject 
being the fourth. 

The subject of this sketch m.ade his debut in life 
at .Sherborn. on the loth of November. 1820. 
His father had followed the trade of a gunsmith. 



i' 



-■»> 



ST. .lOSEPII COUNTY. 



203 



but our siilijoct. fpclinir no spei'ial iin'linafK>ii in 
that direction, prcffrred an a<;riciiltiiral life, and 
was tlierefore fully instnictcd in all tiie depart- 
ments of that work, lie lived at iionie until lie 
was about twenty-one years of ajje, and frt)iu about 
the aire of fourteen or fifteen years was enga<jed in 
teaniinir in different places in .Ma.ssaeluiselts and 
New Hampshire. 

In 18.52 Mr. Leland went to California and was 
absent about two and a half years, but did not 
meet with the success he anticiimted. In the fall 
of 1H57 he came to this county and settled in 
Colon Township, of which he h.is since been a resi- 
dent, lie owns the farm above mentioned, which 
is 1-12 acres in extent. It is provided with a well- 
built set of farm buildings, .and he h.is elTected 
numerous important improvements, bringing the 
whole ])roi)erty to a fine state of cultivation. 

At I'nion City. Hranch Comity, on the 22d of 
•Inly. IHo'J. the union in wedlock of our subject 
was celebrated. Mrs. Leland is the daughter of 
Kichard and Susan ( Monks) Wilferton. She w.is 
born in Leonidas Township, nn the IGth of Feb- 
ruary, 1837. They are the parents of one child, 
whose name is Charles L. lie is now the Imsband 
of Kva Scott, and is a resident of Colon Township. 

.Mr. Leland is a descendant of a* New England 
family that has (jrc'served its full share of those 
sterling <|ualitics that made the peojjle of that sec- 
tion the grand race they have ever been. These 
qualities, which have l)een passed from generation 
to generation in the New Kngland families, have 
come also to our subject, and are pf>ssessed by him 
in no snmll me.nsure. His citi/.cnshi]) he considei-s 
something to be jirized. valued, appreciated and 
cherished. He is loyal and li-ue to himself, his fel- 
lows and his cunnfrv. 



^#^^ 



-t- 



l~ 



^^OHNKLIlS { LINK. The (line homestead 
[If^^ is conspicuous among tiie other valuable 
■^^(z estates of St. .loseph County as comprising 
one of the most beautiful homes within its borders. 
The proprietor, a man of wealth and inlluence. has 
distinguished him.-elf as a citizen <»f more than 
ordinary worth, while his estimable wife, whose 



amiability and intelligence arc equal to that of her 
husband, has been, as it were, always at his rigiit 
hand, both in the Imililing nj) of their homestead 
and the securing an iionoral)lc position aiiKnitr 'he 
leading members of their community. 

Next in im])ortance to a man's own jierxmal 
career is the character of those from whom he drew 
his origin. William Cline. the father of our sub- 
ject, w:is born in ^Montgomery County. N. Y.. and 
married Miss Jane A'anderhoff. a native of the same 
county. After marriage they settled on the Mo- 
hawk Hiver in Montgomery County, where the fa- 
ther engaged in agricultural pursuits, and where 
both parents s])ent the remainder of their lives. 
They were peo|)le of great worth, and occui)ied a 
good position socially and tinancially. The house- 
hold circle included twelve children, five of whom 
are living, and making their hoiiics now mostly in 
New York. 

Our subject was the sixth ciiild of his parents, 
and was born at the old homestead in (Jlenn Town- 
ship, Montgomery Co.. N. Y., the birthplace of his 
parents. March 3, 1818. He remained under the 
home roof until a youth of seventeen, acquiring a 
district school education and being trained to 
habits of industry and principles of honor. At 
this time, starting out for him.self. he commenced 
learning the trades of tanner, currier and shoe- 
maker combined, at which he served an apprentice- 
ship of four years. lie was wcupied at the tr.ade 
as a journeyman four years in his native .State, then 
in the .summer of 1839, desiring to see .something 
of the Great West, came to Southern Michigan. Ho 
also resolved upon a change of occupation, lie 
W.IS unmarried, but determined to lay the founda- 
tions of a home before taking upon himself the re- 
sponsibilities of a family. 

Mr. Cline made his lirst purch.-i.'^e of land in 
Mattison To«niship. He occupied himself the fol- 
lf)wing few months in clearing, but toward fall wjis 
seized with ague, an ailment common to that region, 
so left his land and resunuil work at his trade in 
Centerville the winter following. In the spring of 
1811) he came to Nottawa Township and purcha.-ied 
the farm which he now owns, and wliich is ])le.as. 
antly situated near the shori-s of S.-inil Lake. The 
ta.sk of clearing and bringing the soil to a produc- 



f 



J. 



4^ 



■^•Ji 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



tive condition has involved a large amount of 
labor and considerable money, but in looking over 
his fertile fields to-daj- Mr. Cline must feel amply 
repaid for his perseverance and industry-. He has a 
fair assortment of live stock, an ample supply of 
choice fruits, and in fact is in the enjoyment of all 
tlie comforts and man3' of the luxuries of life. 

The wife of our subject was in her girlhood Miss 
Rebecca AVhitney, daughter of James and Marj' 
(Krisliie) Whitnej-, who were natives of New York 
and emigrated from Orleans County, N. Y., to 
Lenawee County, tliis State, at an early day, settling 
first at Adrian, where the father occupied himself 
in farming, and where thev resided five vears. They 
came to this county in 1833. while ^licliigan was 
still a Territory, settling in Nottawa Township, in 
the vicinity of Sand Lake, living there also five 
years. Then tliey returned ea.st as far as what is 
now Auglaize Count}-, Ohio, wiiere their decease 
took place, at the ages of sixt^'-eight and sixty-six 
respectively. 

Mrs. Cline was born in Slielliy. Orleans Co., N. Y., 
.Inly 22, 1815, and spent her youthful days under the 
home roof in Orleans and Lenawee Counties, and 
March 31, 1833, was united in marriage with Ed- 
mond H. Brown, who came to his desith by the 
bite of a horse near Sand Lake. Nov. 17, 18r>0. Of 
this marriage tiiere was born one child, Marion, 1 
who died in infancy. Of her marriage with our | 
subject there have been born four children, three of j 
whom died in infancy. The surviving child, a 
daugiiter, Sarah A., was l)orn July 12, 1856, and is [ 
now the wife of Koscoe L. Erary, a well-to-do com- ' 
mercial salesman. They have two cliildren, William 
R. and Helen. 

Mr. Cliiic at one time was owner of a much 
larger extent of land tlian at present, although his 
lX)Ssessions now are by no means small, the aggre- 
gate being 411 acres. Politically, he is an uncom- 
promising Democr.at, and although never an .aspir- 
ant for olHce, ii.is been for the most time since a 
resident liere connected with the Scliool Hoard of 
the townsiiip. Holh he and his estimable wife take 
a warm interest in the upbuilding of their con)- 
munity. morally and socially, and althougli not 
members of any religious organization, are decid- 
edl3' in favor of the establishment and maintenance 



of churches, believing that they are needed in 
ever}' community. They have a wide circle of 
friends, who arc often welcomed to their hospitable 
home, and in pleasant intercourse perjx'tuate the 
friendships which have been cemented by j^ears of 
mutual hopes and labors. 



. ILES A. DEXTER. The subject of this 
sketch has been a resident of Colon Town- 




ship for a period of more than thirty years, 
having settled here with his young wife 
in the year 1855. During this period he has de- 
voted liis attention principally to farming pursuits, 
although some of the lime working at his trade of 
carpentering. He has made good improvements on 
his farm, and is one of the solid, well-to-do agri- 
culturists who live comfortably and are surrounded 
b}' the good things of life. As a peaceable and 
law-abiding citizen, prompt to meet his obligations 
and conscientious in his business transactions, he 
has earned the good opinion of those with whom 
be is the most closely associated. 

Austin Dexter, the father of our subject, was a 
native of Massachusetts, and was married in Mar- 
cclUis. Onondaga Co., N, Y., to Miss Anna Tripp, 
a, native of that county, and where they lived for 
some j'ears afterward. About lj<56 they came to 
Michigan and located on a tract of land in Colon 
Township, Here the mother died the \'ear follow- 
ing. The father returned to New York Stale, and 
remained there until his death, which look place in 
Cortland County, about 1880, They were the par- 
ents of four sons, two of whom are living, one a 
resident of Lenawee County, and our subject. 

The subject of this sketch was the third chihl of 
his parents, and was born in Marcellus. Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., April 22, 182'J. He was reared to farm 
pursuits and at the same time learned the trade of 
carpenter, which he followed for a period of nearly 
twenty years. He received his education in the 
common schools and left his native county when a 
j'oung man twenty-three years of age. For two 
and one-half years thereafter he w.as a resident of 
Grand Rapids, this .State. In 1854, while still un- 
married, he came to this county. In Onondaga 



< 



•<- 



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ST. .lOSKPH COUNTY. 



2'J.j 



Couiily, N. Y.. .ilmiil 1.S48, he tn.nfle the acqiiaint- 
ani'o of Miss Iluld.-ili D.ivis. «lio became his wife 
Dec. 11,1 8.'),j. 

Mis. Dexler w;is horn in Oiiond.ign County. N. 
Y.. .Itily 24, 18;32. and is the daughter of John and 
Laura (nen<l('rs<)n) Davis, who were natives of 
New Yorl<, the former of Onondaga Count}', and 
the latter of \Vashington County. They both passed 
away in Onondaga County, llie nuither about 1858 
and the father in 1870. Tlie five children born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Dexter are recorded as follows: Laura 
A. is the wife of lleury Louder, of this county; 
Susan A. married Wiiliaui Bower, of tliis county; 
lluldali E. married P. A. Thurston, anil lives in 
Colon Town;.hi|); Helle A., Mrs. A. C. lleiiibaugh, 
is a resident c«f IJronson ; Willie, an adopted son, 
and Lucian A. are at home with their paients. 

Mr. Dexter is a very intelligent man and keeps 
himself well informed upon current events. He is 
broad and liberal in his ideas concerning religious 
matters, and in politics votes the straight Repub- 
lican ticket. He has held the otHce of Justice of 
the Peace for several j'ears. and has also served as 
Highway Commis.sioncr and in the other minor of- 
fices c>f the township. He lakes a livclv interest 
in educational matters, believing in the establish- 
ment of schools and giving to the young all the 
advantages which will make of them goo<l anil 
worthy citizens. His lu)meste.id forms one among 
the many of .St. Joseph County which are noticea- 
ble !is the result of the thrift and enterprise of the 
proprietor. 

— -i^m- — 

<* WILLIAM JOHNSON. Among the people 
\jjj// of the rpiiet little community of NottJiwa 
W^ Village there are few held in higher regard 
than the subject of this sketch and his estimable 
wife. The offspring of an excellent f;imily of .Scan- 
dinavian birth and ancestry, our subject first openeil 
his eyes to the light in Norway, July 4. 1842. His 
parenls, .Kihn and Catherine John.-on. were natives 
of the same part of the world, and emigrated to 
Carada when their son William was a child nine 
years of asre. 

Oursubject remained in the Duminion until 18G3, 
when he cume over into "the Slates," and for six 
4> I 



months was a resident of Detroit, working at his 
trade as a boot and shoe maker. Then returning 
to Canada, hesojoiinied with his parents about six 
months, at the end of which time he returned to 
Michigan, and m;iUiiig his headquarters at Sturgis, 
commenced getting tml timber ;iiiil building briilges 
for the Grand Hapids it Indiana Railroad, at which 
he was emplo3'ed about one month. Later he en- 
gaged in the boot and shoe business, .about this 
time taking up his residence in Notlawa, where he 
has since lived, following the aforesaid business, 
and enjoys a good patronage from the best i)eople 
of this part of the county. 

Our subject found a companion and helpmate 
after coming to Nottawa Town.-hip, being married. 
Oct. 4,1866, to Miss Marion, daughter of Alvin 
and Sarah (Oviatt) Hoyt. 'J'he parents of Mrs. 
Johnson were natives of New Hampshire and New 
York resiiectively, and came to Michigan in the 
pioneer days, spending their last years in Colon 
Township. The mother died, however, in middle 
life, in 1848. The father survived her a period of 
thirty-two 3'ears, passing away on the 12th of April, 
18f<0. Their household consisted of three children 
only, a son and two daughters — Philo, Alarietta and 
Marion. 

Mrs. Johnson, a native cf this county, was born 
in Colon Township. July 4, 1843, being exactly 
one year younger than her husband, conseqiienlly 
they can celebrate their liirthdays together with 
American Independence. She was reared under 
the home roof, continuing a member of the |>areiitiil 
household until her marriage. Of this union there 
have been born four chihlren. namely : .Sarah, who 
died when an interesting little girl of six years; 
Phihj W., Jesse H. and Martha W. Mr. Johnson 
having left his native land when a babe is fully 
equal to a native-born American, and has become 
thoroughly identified with the institutions of his 
adopted country. He is a stanch supporter of 
Republican principles, and has held the oflice of 
Director in his school district a |H'riod of three 
years. 

The parents of Mr. .lohnson landed in Canada 
during the building of the (ireal Western Railroad. 
The mother lived only a short time after coming to 
this country, and the father of our subject died six 



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•2'J6 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



months later. Three children were thus left in 
orphanaj<e. two being girls, Mary and Catharine. 
One little daughter, Annie, an infant, died on the 
ocean and was liuried at sea; Mary is now the 
widow of Hubert Hunter, of Titusville, Pa.; Cath- 
erine married James Taylor, and died near Paris, 
Canada. 

After the death of the parents, our subject being 
the eldest child as soon as old enough exercised a 
brotherly supervison over his sisters, looking after 
their welfare and assisting them as he was able 
until their marriage. He began his apprenticeship at 
the shoemaker's trade when a youth of eighteen 3'eai's, 
serving three years, and later worked as a journe^v- 
man. For a man who from the first was dependent 
upon his own resources he has certainly done well. 
He was furnished by kindly Nature with a resolute 
and persevering disposition, and those inherent quali- 
ties of honesty and integrity which are of far nioie 
value than riches, and which will serve to guide 
every man possessing them safely through tlie tur- 
moils of life. Mrs. Johnson is a lady having all 
the womanl}' virtues, and is higlil}- spoken of b}' 
those who have known her for so many years. 
They enjoy an extensive acquaintance in Notlawa 
and vicinity, where they have built up for them- 
selves a record of which their children need never 
be ashamed. 

ENUY COPEMIAFKK. One of the neat- 
est farms in Colon Township is pleasantly 
located on section 21, and includes IGO 
acres of land, with tasteful and substantial 
farm buildings. There is an air of thrift and en- 
terprise about the place which speaks well for the 
careful habits of the proprietor. Here we behold 
the picture of a home, the proprietor of which, with 
his little family, enjoys all of the comforts and 
many of the luxuries of life. No small share of 
this is due to the wife and mother, who has stood 
bravely \i[) by the side of her husband in his eflforts 
to obtain a home and a competence, and who is at 
once noticeable as a lady of more than onlinary 
intelligence. 

The Copeuhafci family traces its origin to the 
<■ 



Empire of Germanj-. Henry, the father of our 
subject, was born in York County, Pa., and married 
Miss Elizabeth Snelbacher, who was also born there. 
After uniting their lives and fortunes they settled 
not far from the place of their birth, in York 
County, and there spent the remainder of their 
lives. The father was a farmer by occupation, an 
honest man and a good citizen, and the mother 
carefully trained her children in those habits of in- 
dustry and principles of honor by which they be- 
came valued and useful members of society. The 
familj' included three sons and one daughter, two 
of whom are living, and residents of Iowa and this 
county. 

Henry Copenhafer. Jr., was the second child of 
his parents, and was born in Newberry Township, 
Y'ork Co., Pa., Nov. 4, 18-20. He si>ent his boy- 
hood and j'outh after the manner of most farmers 
sons, receiving an ordinary education in the com- 
mon schools. Later he learned the carpenter's trade, 
which he followed a good many years in different 
places in Pennsylvania. Ohio and Michigan. He 
was married in his native State, and came to this 
county with his wife and five children in the spring 
of 1867. They first took up their residence in 
Park Township, where our subject cultivated a tract 
of land, and where he lived until the fall of KS7 I. 
The family then changed their residence to the 
present farm, which was far less valuable than at 
the present time, being mostly in an uncultiv.ated 
state. He has cleareil the greater part of the land 
and erected good buildings, including a dwelling 
more than ordinarily tasteful and convenient. 

Miss Eliza Good became the wife of our subject 
on the oth of November. 1804. their marriage tak- 
ing pl.ace at the home of the bride in Y'ork County, 
Pa. This lady is the daughter of Christian and 
Henrietta (Zurger) Good, natives of that county, 
where they were reared, married, and spent their 
entire lives. They had a faniilj' of eleven children, 
seven of whom lived to mature 3'ears, and of the 
latter Eliza was the eldest. She was born in Con- 
newago. Pa., Jan. 18, 1835. and like her mother 
before her, has also given birth to eleven children, 
seven of whom have lived to manhood and woman- 
hood. The four deceased died in infancy. The 
survivors are: Emanuel, who is married and a resi- 




cA^ Jm^ 



A 



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_t 



.ST. .lOSKPII COUNTY. 



299 



•lent of Moiiilon Townslii|); Hyman, Ir.-i, Minnie 
and Miily (iwins), Georgo E. ami Alviii .1. Willi 
the exception of the inarrieil son, tliey are all at 
lioine with their parents. 

.Mr. Copenhafer is a stanch supporter of Repub- 
lican principles. He li.is never sought ollice, Init 
has lieen willing to serve his township when it 
seemed best, as Road Overseer and in other simple 
|>ositions. Both he and his excellent wife are nieni- 
liers in good standing of the Reformed Lutheran 
Church. 

«ff DAM .MILLER. The subject of this .sketch. 
^/Ul . whose portrait is presente<l on the oppo- 

jljS* '''t" page, is sixiken of a.< one of the most 
qJI active and enterprising farmers of Fawn 

River Township, .and one of the most useful mem- 
bers of his community. He owns and operates a 
fine farm of 'i-OO acres, upon which he ha.s made 
good improvements, bringing tliesoil to a fine state 
of cultivation, and erecting the buildings necessary 
for the comfort of his family, the shelter of stock 
an<l the storing of grain. 

Mr. Miller, a native of Highland County. Ohio, 
was born April 3, 1825, and is the son of Jacob 
and KlizalH'lh Miller, who were natives of I'cnn- 
sylvania. I'lxjn leaving the Keystone State after 
their marriage, the}' became residents of Highland 
County. ()hi<i. and thence emigrated in 18;5(l to 
Lagrange County, Ind., settling on a tract of land 
within one-half a mile of which sprang up the 
town of dreentield. Their family included twelve 
children, nine sons and three daughters. Of these, 
besides our subject. George, James and David are 
residents of this county : Daniel, a retired farmer 
in go<Kl circumstances, is a resident of the city of 
Sturgis; Christena, the widow of Locy Young, 
lives in Sedgwick County, Kan.; Sarah. Mrs. Klani 
Rolibins. is a resident of Hoone County. Iowa; 
Henry lives somewhere in the Far West; William 
is fnrniin;^ in Will County. 111.; the entire twelve 
lived to mature \ears but tliri'c. and :d! ;iri- ^till 
living. 

The father of our subject died when compara- 
tively a young man, in 1m:!«. and his remains were 
laid to rest in (ireenfield 'I'owuship, Lagrange Co., 



Ind. lie was a man of more than ordinary abilities, 
was very successful in his farming o|jerations. and 
became owner of an entire secti<jn of land in La- 
grange County. He wiis straightforward and con- 
scientious in his dealings, and a member in good 
standing of the ficrman Lutheran Church. The 
mother survived her husband a jieriod of thiity 
years, remaining a widow, and spent her last days 
with her son Daniel, dying in 18GK, at the age of 
seventy-eight years. 

Our subject wa.s a little l.id five years of age 
when he accompanied his |)arcnts to Indiana, and 
he continued with tlicm there until his marriage, in 
1848. His bride, Miss Nancy \an Ausdul, w.as 
born in 182I(, in Indiana, and wa.s the daughter of 
Caleb and Elizabeth \'an .Vusdul. who removed 
from Ohio to Cireenfield County, Ind., and then 
returned to Champaign County. Ohio, where the 
f.atherdied in IHIO, and the mother al)out IKGO. 

To Aihiiii ;in<l Nancy .Miller there were born 
nine children, of whom eight arc living. The 
mother died at her home in Fawn River Township. 
!March 28, 1871. Their eldest daughter, Louisa J., 
is the wife of William E. Hrvant. of Fawn River; 
Elizabeth is the widow of I'orter Hodish, of Fawn 
River; William continues a resident of Lagrange 
County, Ind.; Eilward A. is farming in Oregon; 
.Mfreil .\. operates a farm in Fawn River Town- 
ship; L. .1.. Mary .1. and Einm:i \i. are at home 
with their father. The daughters attend to the 
domestic concerns of the home, and watch over 
the comfort of their father with filial affection. 
They are surrounded by all the comforts of life, 
and enjoy the frienship of the best people of the 
county. 

— r,^ -•^-c^ V— 

l,r^ EV. UTHER H. GOODRICH, with his ex- 
cellent and amiable partner, issi>en<ling the 
evening of life (luielly and |)eacefully in the 
O^enjoyment of a pleajsant rural home, located 
im section 14. in Nottawa Township. He came to 
Michigan during its Territorial days, in the sum- 
mer of 183.5, and shortly afterward, in the month 
of .lune, purchased 12ii acres of land, which he set- 
tled upon in the autumn following. l'|)on this a 
furrow had never been turned, and Mr. Goi'Klrich. 




•► ■ ,j l» ; 



'■ 

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A. 



300 



i- 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



4 



then a j'oung man, began with all the cnergj' of his 
character to liattie with the elements of the new 
soil, and the other (liHiculties attendant upon pio- 
neer life. Tlie first modest dwelling was erected 
in due time, and rt-mained the abodeof himself and 
his little family \nitil the fall of 1^67, when they 
took iX)ssession pf that which they now occupy, 
and which for a period of over twenty years has j 
jilieltered them in case and comfort. 

The main points in a career of more than usual 
interest are as follows: Luther B. Goodrich was 
born in Naples, Ontario Co., N. Y., June 1"2. 1805, 
and is the son of Jason Goodrich, a carpenter by 
trade, .also a clothier and cloth dresser. Tlie lat- 
ter, however, preferred tlie lirst-named occupation, 
and to this gave most of his time and .attention. 
He married Jliss Lovina Clark, and they became 
tlie parents of twelve children, of whom Luther B. 
was the second born. Of this large family all Rave 
passed .away, both jiarents and children, uin- sub- 
ject being the sole survivor. The parents were 
natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut, and spent 
the Latter part of their lives in St. Joseph County, 
where their decease occurred respectively about 
1»45 and 1835. 

Young Goodrich rciii:iiiic(l a member of the pa- 
rental household until reaching his majority, assist- 
ing his father at carpentering, and otiierwise 
occupying himself as required. I'pon leaving 
home and starting out for himself, he took up his 
residence in Steuben County, N. Y., where he lived 
from 1832 until 1835. and tlience came to Michigan 
Territory. He was first married, in Steuben County, 
in 182y. to Miss Clarissa Noble, at the home of the 
bride. They commenced the journey of life to- 
gether, and there were born to them seven children, 
three of whom are living — Claudius L., Dwight N. 
and ^Larv. The wife and mother departed this life 
at her home in Nottawa Township. July 11), 1850. 

'Slv. (ioodrich, J.an. 1, 1851. contracted a sec- 
ond marriage, with JHss ^lary II. Doughty. The 
children of this union, five in nuniber,werc iiameil re- 
spectively: Hoscoe H..Charlcs 1)., Hector (deceased), 
Helen and Claude. Mrs. Mary H. Goodrich died 
at the homestead, Sept. 14, 18G1. On the 16th of 
February. 18G5. our suliject was united in marri.age 
with Mrs. Margaret (Martin) Parker, widow of Rev. 



Azel Parker, a minister of the Baptist Church. ^Ir. 
Parker died in ^lottville, this county, in 1862. 

^Irs. ^laraaret Goodrich was born in l-'airlield 
County, Ohio, Oct. 7, 1823, and is the dau<;hter of 
Ellison and Jane Martin, who were natives of 
Penn.-iylvania, and spent their last years in Ohio 
.and Indiana. Of this marri.age there are no chil- 
dren. 

Mr. (ioodrich. upon coming to this county, was 
.at once recognized as a valuable addition to the 
community, being a man of more than ordinary 
intelligence anil business capacities. Kind, hospita- 
ble, and possessing the true Christian spirit, he en- 
deavored to assist those around him as opportunity 
presented, and while discharging the duties of the 
various positions of trust and responsibility, also 
officiated as a local preacher of the ^Methodist Epis- 
copal Church for a long term of years. As a pulpit 
orator he was ea.sy and eflective. convincing in his 
aigiiment. and one to whom the people always 
listened with pleasure and profit. He was ordained 
in September. 1852. He w.as an exhorter a num- 
ber of years previously. Politicalh*, he favors the 
principles of the Hepublican party, and although 
steadfastly declining the responsibilities of office in 
his later years, he at one time officiated as Justice 
of the Peace for a term of five years, with great 
credit to himself .and satisfaction to the people of 
his townshi|). He li.as now more than sp.anned his 
fourscore years, and, looking back uiwn a life filled 
with good ini]>ulses, and endeavoring to discharge 
its duties in a praiseworthy manner, has earned for 
himself not only the abiding respect of the people 
around him. but the ho])e of something beyond. 



-^-*- 



-^ 



f~)\ALENTINE BEADLE is a prosperous and 
'^ highly' resjiected farmer and stock-raiser re- 
siding on section 6, Eabiiis Township. He 
is a native-born citizen of St. Joseph County, his 
birth having taken place in Flowerfield. April 10, 
1831. His parents. .Michael and Uiilh (IJidwell) 
Be.idle, were nuiiibi red among the earliest pioneers 
of this county, ctuning here from Seneca County, 
Ohio, in 1827. The fiilhcr w:is a millwrii:lit by 
trade, an industrious, wliule-soiilcd ukui. He was 



ST. JOSEril COUNTY. 



301 



ffiiiil <if the liiinl. ami was vorv expert in the use of 
the rille, :in<l liiil much to clear the priiiu'val forests 
of this region from the dangerous animals that once 
iiaunteil it. His useful career was cut short l)y death 
while he was yet in the meridian of life. His widow 
was thus left to hattle alone and to support ber 
family as best she could. She, however, possessed 
.1 lirave, unfaltering spirit, and proved equal to the 
emergency, managing to keep her children with her 
and to provide for them until her death, in l.S4'.l. 

Our subject was the youngest child in a famil}' 
of nine, and owing to his father's early death he was 
reared to a life of labor, and scarcely had an t>ppor- 
tnnity to attend school, but with a persistency- un- 
der difficulties that would have deterred man}' from 
making the attempt, he managed to secure ent)ngli 
education so that he can attcncl to business. After 
the death of his mother he was thrown altogether 
on his own resources, and being strong, energetic, 
and willing to work at an^ylliing that his hands 
founil to do, he made his own way in the world. 
He (inally gathered together enough of this world's 
goods to enable him to marr}' and estal)lish a home 
of his own, and to Miss Rebecca Shepherdson, whom 
be had invited to share life's pleasures and sorrows 
with him, he was united in the sacred bond of mar- 
riag'- Oct. II, 18G(). She has been to him a wise 
counselor and a ready helper, and to their children 
a careful and tentler mother. Siie is a daughter of 
Joseph and Rebecca (Rath burn) Sbephenlson, na- 
tives of New York, of Knglish descent. Mrs. Bea- 
dle was born May 1.'5. \H:V.i. in New York, and was 
very small when her parents came to Michigan. 
She is the second child in order of birth of the five 
born to her mollier. (For further parental hi^tory 
see sketch of her brother, Abncr V. .Shepherdson, 
wbicii will be f<iun<l on another page of this volume. 

.Soon after marriage .Mr. IJeadle moved toFabius 
and, though he has moved three or four times since 
then, he has never been out of sight of his present 
home. He owns eighty-five acres of fine farming 
land ; has an orcliard of about 200 apple trees, from 
which he ilerives a good yearly income. He has his 
land under goo<l tillage, has comfortable farm 
lidildings. and everything about the place indicates 
thrift and gooil management. Mr. IJeadle is a prac- 
tical, keen-sighte<l man, honest and upright in his 



<li!alings, and thorouglily deserves the respect and 
esteem in which he is held in this community. He 
has three sisters living in this counlj': Mrs. Clara- 
vina Stowell. who resides in Burr Oak Township; 
Mrs. Until Hopkins an<l Mrs. Doll}' Ann Seelye. 

The union of our subject and his amiable wife 
has l>een blessed b}' the birth of five children, of 
whom f<jur are living, of whom the folhjwing is re- 
corded : David v., born Dec. '21, 1862, now lives 
in Oceana County, Midi.; JIary D., born Nov. ;J, 
18G7, received a line education and is a successful 
teacher, commencing to follow that profession when 
a mere girl; William M.. born Nov. 29, 1870; Ruth 
A., .Ian. 11, 187 1. 

Mr. Beadle was drafted during the late war, but 
as his circumstances were such that he could not 
leave home, he hired a substitute, paying forty 
acres of land therefor. Our subject, holding sub- 
stantial!}' the same views on |)olitical questions as 
his father, an oht-line Whig, was iilentified with the 
Republican party until the formation of the Green- 
back jiarty. when lie joined its ranks. 



-^-i-^- 




-WID OLNKY, Supervisor of Leonid.is 
Township, is the owner of one of its best 
farms, on section Hi. He is a son of .Tosei>b 
OIney, one of the honored pioneers of the 
county, who came to Michigan before it had been 
transformed from a Territory into a State, and se- 
curing ownership of a tract of land in Mendon 
Township, battled with the elements of a new soil 
for a time, and then removed to Nottawa Town- 
skip. .V few years later he purchased a residence 
in Mendon. and retired from active labor. His 
death took place at the residence of his son. our 
subject, .May 31, 1887. 

.loseph Oluey.tbe father of our subject, wa.s born 
in Saratoga. N. Y.. .Vpril II. 1820. and w.'u< unmar- 
ried when coming to this county. Not long after- 
ward, however, be married Miss Sarah Barnabee. 
who was bfirii Feb. 11. 1S30. and came with her 
parents. .Stephen and .Mehitable l$arnabee. to this 
county when quite young. Their first residence in 
Michigan w.os in Kalaunizoo C'ounty.at a time when 
its people were few and far between. The father 



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302 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



•t 



was a farmer by occupation, and both parents spent 
tlie last j-cars of their lives in this county, the father 
dying in Mendon Township. May 30. 1886, and the 
mother at the home of her daughter in Leonidas 
Township. 

To the parents of our subject were l)orn eiglit cliil- 
dren, six of whom lived to m.ature years: David, 
our subject; Elon. wlio died Marcii 1;'), 1887; 
iMartha, the wife of lUnry :Mowry. of Br.inch 
County; Mary, who became the wife of ^I. Milton 
Mcintosh, and died in Notl.iwa Township; Frank- 
lin, a resident there, and Elizal)eth. Mrs. Henry 
Powers, of the same. David, our subject, was born 
in Mendon Township. April 11, 1S47. His boy- 
hood .and youtli were spent ;;fter the manner of 
most farmers' sons, and he remained a member of 
the parental household until twenty-two y ars old. 
Upon leavinsr lionie he selected a tr.act of land in 
Leonidas Township, wliere he entered ii|i(iii the 
serious business of liis life. Ilie building up of a 
home and the accumulation ul' ji <i)inpetciu-e. His 
labors as an agriculturist have been crowned with 
more than ordinaiy success. He wisely invested 
his surplus capital .as time p.assed on in addition.al 
land, property .secure from the burglar, and which 
could not be carried off to Canada by the dis- 
honest bank cashier. His real estate now embraces 
310 broad acres, upon which he has erected a fine 
set of frame buildings, ami)ly .adajjted to the re- 
quirements of tlie modern and progi'essive agri- 
culturist. Ills enterprise and industry have been 
evinced .at every turn in his life, and he has long 
been looked upon .as one of the most subst.antial 
men of liis communily. one wlio could be depended 
upon to further its best interests, morally, educa- 
tionally and linancially. He has left no stone iin- 
tuiiied in the encouragement of those projects 
which should bring his township to the standard 
adopted liy the intelligent communities of South- 
ern Michigan. 

For a jx'riod of sixteen yeai-s there has walked 
by the side of our subject in the most intimate re- 
lation of life a lady who in her girlhood was ^Hss 
Marietta Foole. and who became his wife at the 
home of her jiarents in Leonid.as Townsliip, Jlay 
1(1. 1872. .Mrs. OInev w.as born in Orleans County, 
N. Y.. June 27. 18J0. and is the daughter of Er- 



win AV. and Hester M. (^Montrose) Foote. Erwin 
W. Foote w:is born in Kidgeway, Orleans Co., N. 
Y.. April G. 1816. His wife, Hester, was born in 
Poughkeepsie. Dutchess Co.. N. Y.. Jan. 26, 1816. 
Tliey are now residents of Mendon, and in tlie en- 
j03'ment of a good home. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Olney there have lieen born 
five children, namely: M.aude, Mildred. I'earl, Jo- 
seph and Verne. Mildred and Joseph are deceased. 
]Mildrcd wa.-* born Aug. 26. 1875. and died Nov. 
10, 1877; .loseph was born Nov. o, 1877. There 
are few whose lives pass placidly without some 
break or sorrow, Init witli the exception of the loss 
of these little ones, the history of Mr. and Mrs. 
Olney illustrates that of people more than usually 
blessed by Providence. Tluit they liave been de- 
serving of this is .acknowledged by the people who 
have known them long and well, and who have ex- 
tended to them a generous measure of esteem and 
conlidence. 



■^HI•*^■ 



^^ FORGE H. MOHNEY. Among the intelli- 
II (— , gent citizens of St. Joseph County who are 
^^1! condiicting its farming .and stock-raising 
interests, and are tlie principal factors of its mater- 
ial prosperit}', the subject of this sketch is well 
wortliy of mention. He is quietly carrying on his 
vocation cm section 2. Fabius Township, where his 
tine farm, which for productiveness and improve- 
ments ranks with anj- in the county, is beautifully 
located near Lake Mohney, a lovely sheet of water, 
notable alike for its scenery, and as a jx)pular re- 
sort for those fond of the piscatorial art, as several 
varieties of lish are found in its w.aters. 

Mr. Mohney was born in Armstrong County, Pa., 
March 11. 183V), a son of Abram and Mary Ann 
(Weinberg) ^loliney, natives of Pennsylvania, and 
descended from the old Germsin stock that early 
peoi)led the Keystone State. In 1844, the year that 
James K. Polk was electetl President, the elder 
Jlohncy left the Peunsylvanian home, with its 
many pleas.ant associations, left his old-time friends, 
and. accompanied by his wife and children, came to 
settle in the then wilds of St. Joseph County. But 
a few vears had elapsed since the sound of the axes 
■» 






ST. .JOSEPH COUNTY. 



.30. i 



i 



of the earl\- settlers had rung tlirough the prime- 
val forests, that once to a gi-eat extent covered the 
State of Mirliiiran. and then heiran for him niul his 
family the life of pioiioiTs, until tlii'v r<juld .siilxhio 
the wilderness and build for themselves a comforta- 
ble home. The father bousrht ciulity acres of land, 
and in the twelve years of life rcmaiiiinjr to him 
worked faithfully and assiduously to improve a 
farm. .lune 1.3, l>*')Ci. his death occurred, and a 
valued citizen was removed from the coinniunity, 
many outside of his own household mourning the 
loss of a good and honest man. The mother of our 
subject is still sjiared to her children, and makes 
her home in Three Hivers. Although she has at- 
tained tlio advanced age of seventy-two, she is still 
of sounil inlclici't and enjoys good health, free from 
many of the infirmities that usually accompany 
old age. and seems in reality younger than her 
years wouhl indicate. She is the mother of nine 
children, of whom our subject is the eldest. The 
record of the others is as follows: William 11.. the 
second child, who lives near our subject, .served in 
the army two aud one-half years; Leander is a 
gardener, and resides in Three Hivers; Susan mar- 
ried l-ucian lloisington. wIk) is now deceased, and 
she lives in Mareellus. Cass Co., Mich.; Abby makes 
her home with her mother in Three Rivers; Sydney 
lives in Lansing; .Marietta nniried Charles Chills, 
anil they live in Lansing; Wallace lives on the old 
homestead east of Jlohnev Lake, and Monroe lives 
in Washington Territory. 

(ieorge Mohney was scarcely five years of age 
when he came with his parents to Jlichigan.so that 
nearly all of his life has been spent in this .State. 
Ibil a few years had elapsed since Michigan had 
given up Territorial government and had entered the 
I'nicjn, and it had not then developed into the 
imwerful and glorious commonwealth that it is to- 
day. The principal cities of the pre.<ent were then 
for the most part small towns, the city of Three 
Hivers. for instance, l)eing only a small vilLige with 
but few business houses. .Mthough the wise and 
able men at the head of public atTairs had already 
introduced as complete and go<^><l an educational 
svstem as obtained in any State in the I'nion, yet 
in the new settlements it w.-us dillicult to establish 
schools, excepting of inferior grades, and our sub- 



ject's chances for obtaining an education were lim- 
ited, as he did not attend school until after he was 
thirteen years okl. and then only i)i the winters. 
Ih', however, managed to pick up considerable 
book knowledge, and is well informed on all the 
topics of interest of the present d.ay. After his 
father's death he worked energetically to pay off 
the remaining indebtedness on the home farm, and 
to place his mother in comfortable circumstances. 
Aug. .'?, IM'2. .Mr. Mohney laiil aside all personal 
aims .and ambitions, feeling an oblig.ation to assist ^ 
his country in the conduct of the war then being 
waged in the South, and as a soldier in the ranks 
of the 2.5th Michigan Infantry, he manfuUj- did 
his duty on many a Itaf tie-field. He w.as present at 
Resaca. Hurnt Ilickorv, at the siege of Atlanta, and 
at Nashville, when Gens. Thomas and Hood led 
the opposing forces, and he took i)art in many 
other contests. He was honoralily discharged after 
the dose of the war. having served in the I'nioii 
.Vrniy threeyears. 

In IHlJi; "Sir. Mohney bought his present farm, 
comprising eighty acres of exceedingly fertile land, 
and he now h.as it .all |)aid for. At the time of his 
purchase it w.os a tract of forest covered land, with 
no improvements wh.atever, and he had to clear it 
and erect buildings. He now h.as it under good 
cultivation, has a commodious, comfortable <lwell- 
ing, and as fine a barn ,is is to be found in tlie 
county. All of th^s property is the result of his 
patient and well-directed labors, as he started out 
in tlie world with no capital other than a stout heart 
and strong arms. 

We should be doing but scant justice, however, 
if we did not mention the help afforded to him by 
his capable helpmate, to whom he was united in 
marriage March l.'i. IMX. Mrs. Mohney was for- 
merly Miss Harriet Spygelmvcr, a daughter of 
Samuel and Catherine ( Wyant) .Spygelmyer. She 
w.as born in rennsylvania. Sept. 1, 1849. Of her 
marriage with our subject six children have been 
born, namely: Vanneska, born March 7. 18fi9; 
Lennie, .lune />. IHTO; Hella, >Larch 7, 1872; lona, 
March 4, 1874; Katie diefl in infancy, and r.,ogan 
A. was born March 2.1, 1881. 

Our subject is a man whom his fellow-citizens 
do well to trust. a.s his life is guided by sound 



^^ m ■» 



»► i r^ 



304 



ST. JOSEPri COUNTY. 



^r 




principles, his personal habits are of tlie liest, and 
his reijutation is unsuUiecl. lie h.as been Highway- 
Commissioner for about nine j'ears, at different 
times, and was elected to this position in opposition 
to a strong' Democratic majority. He votes the 
Republican ticket, and strenuously upholds the 
policy of his party, lie is a strictly temper.ate 
man, and works for local option. 



ZIAS F. FRENCH, a pioneer of Constantine 
Township of 1S34, has been a continuous 
resident here since that time, engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. He is the son of Ozias and 
Lizzie (Dayton) French, the former a native of the 
Bay State, wiience he emigrated to New York, 
where ills death occurred when our subject was a 
child of two years, in Yates County. The death 
of the mother also occurred there. 

Our subject was born in Chester. Ilami)shire Co., 
Jl.ass., .lune 1. 1K03, and was the youngest of his 
parents' faniil}-. He accompanied iiis father upon 
his removal to New York State, and there grew to 
maniiood. assisting his parents as time and oppor- 
tunity <iemanded. From Yates County he removed 
to Cattaraugus Count}', remaining there four years, 
when he migrated to this State, and located in Con- 
stantine Township, this count}', on land which he 
had purchased from the Government. His farm 
has been nicely improved, and is the source of a 
lucrative income, while it is adorned with neat and 
well-arranged buildings, which do great credit to 
the proprietor. His first purchase consisted of 
eighty acres, but it has since been added to, and 
now embraces an acreage of 110. 

Mr. French was married in Yates County, N. Y., 
to Miss Rebecca Bates, a native of Bennington 
County, N. H. Their union has been blessed by the 
birth of eight children, namely: Candace L. and 
Lucy A. (twins), Rachel E., Eunice R., Ozias F., 
Charles Dayton, Erastus Milo and Selh M. Can- 
dace became the wife of George Poe, of Fabius 
Township; Lucy, Mrs. John Oxenford, died in 
Calhoun County, Iowa: Rachel E. is the wife of 
Mcdink Hoisiuglon, of Fabius Township; Emma 
is Mrs. Chester C. Mitchell, of Otsego County, this 



St^ite; Ozias F. is also a resident of Otsego County ; 
Charles Dayton married I^liss Mary Roberts, and 
resides in Constantine Townshi|); Erastus Milo is 
living in Montana Territory, and Seth M. is a resi- 
dent of Otsego County, this .State. The mother of 
these children died in Constantine Township, July 
18, 1864. She was a faithfid anri consistent mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Ozias French, our subject, was a second time 
married, to Miss Almira Engle. This lady died in 
CunsUuitine Township, July 4, 1874. She also was 
numbered among the regular attendants of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also her husband, 
having been a member of that denomination for a 
half-century. He gives liberally and cheerfully to 
promote the good cause, and is one of its Inlluential 
members. Our subject has held many of the township 
ollices in his earlier d.ays, the duties of which he dis- 
charged in a thorouglily satisfactory manner. 

Mr. French is a man of sterling integrity and 
sound business principles, and one whose word is 
considered as good as his bond. It is to such men 
as he that the c<juiitry is indebted for its wonderlul 
progress and development, and his name will be 
remembered wiih gnititude long after he has been 
sralhered to his fathers. 



ENRY W. LAIRD. In the career of this 
esteemed citizen, late a resident of Nottawa 
jry^ Township, and now deceased, was embodied 
^) the creed that "no man should live for him- 
self alone, but also for others." He departed this 
life at his home in Nottawa Township, Oct. 1, 1881, 
at the age of sixty-nine years, having been born 
Oct. 14. 1812. He was familiarly called "Harry 
Laird," and from this simple fact may be gathered 
an idea of the character of the man — genial, com- 
panionable, and one who, since his taking off, has 
been sadly missed in his community. 

A native of Greene County, N. Y., our subject 
was the son of Glover Laird, who was born in Ire- 
land, antl emigrated to the United States early in 
life, settling in the Empire State, where it is proba- 
ble he was married. There Harry lived with his 
parents until a lad eight years of age, then ac- 



i 



:*^i-^ 



■•►Hh-4* 



ST. .JOSEPH COUNTY. 



.sn.-i 



c<)in|miiictl liis f:itlicr In Ohio, .nnd from llicro. in 
October, 1830, to .Miiliigan. After assisting bis 
f.-UluT ill l)ic:ii<iiij; fort}' .icrcs and fencinjj citrlity 
juTi's, on section 2 in Nottawu Townsliiii. this 
countj", j'oung Liiird, in .1 line, IM-'U, relnrned to 
Oliio ft>r the purpose of atteiidiiij; sciiool. 

In 1833, le.iving tlie liuekeye .Slate the second 
lime, Mr. Laird came again to Nottawa Township, 
wiiere he sojourned the ft)llo«iiig ninter, and jour- 
neyetl to and from Oiiio several times from that 
time until 183C. In 1837 lie was united in mar- 
riage, in Butler County, Ohio, with Miss Siis.'iniiah 
Mantlia. This lady was born in Hartfor<l Count}', 
Md., Feb. 10, 1817, and of this union there were 
born seven children, si.\ sons and one daughter, viz : 
AViiliam II., George C, Gilbert W., .lames M., 
John M., Charles W. and Caroline F. 

In 18.t2 Mr. Laird purchased his father's old 
homestead in Nottawa Towiislii|). where he turned 
his attention mostly to agricultural pursuits, and 
effected many improvements in the jiroperty. In 
the meantime he signalized himself as one of the 
most public-spirited men in his township, generously 
giving his time and attention to the enterprises 
calculated for the general good. He was instru- 
mental ill securing the building of the Grand Rapids 
<fe Indiana Railroad through the township, giving 
much of his time and considerable nionej' toward 
its construction. He was a Republican in politics, 
and held the oltice of County Treasurer several 
terms, besides filling many other positions of trust 
in connection with the affairs of his neighbors and 
fellow-citizens. An active member of the Old Set- 
tlers' Association, he wa« possessed of the intelli- 
gence and forethought which recognized the great 
importance of preserving history" and biography, 
and at one period wa,s zealously engaged for .some 
time in securing facts and data in connection with 
the history of the Nottjiwa Indians, the incidents 
a.ss(X"iated with their removal from this part of the 
country, and various other interesting matters per- 
taining thereto. He was a keen observer of human 
nature and an extensive reader, and possessed of a 
fine fund of general information. His name is held 
in kindly remembrance by hosts of friends. 

The sons and daughter of Henry \V. and .Susan- 
nah (Mantha) Laird are residents mostly of Men- 



dcni. and are intelligent and worthy members of 
society, whose endeavor it is to perpetuate and 
honor the name of him who ever appears to their 
minds the generous and kind-hi'Mileii f;ithiT. the 
useful and self-s.icriftciiig citizen. 



~t^(^Jf/5^S®*••J^^^•'®^-SVOT^>- 



KNMAMIN F. lUTLKK. One of the finest 
- brick residences in Nottawa Township is 




located «m section 10. and forms the nu- 
cleus of a valuable farm which stretches its 
liroad acres on neJirly all sides atljacont. The pro- 
prietor, whose name stands at the head of this 
sketch, ranks among the honored ])ioneers of St. 
.Joseph County, to which his father came with his 
family late in the spring of 1841. they locating on 
the land which Liter grew u|) into a valuable liomc- 
stead. 

The countrv at that period had undergone but 
little cultivation, the neighbors of .Joseph Hutler 
being few and far between. He possessed, how- 
ever, the substantial (pialities rcquireti by the men 
who came to this region at that time, .and began at 
once his struggle with the elements of a new soil 
and the dilHcullies which are the invariable at^ 
tendants of life in a new .settlement. The first 
primitive dwelling in due time sheltered a family 
of eleven children, and lienjainin F., of our sketch, 
was the tenth in order of birth. He began life 
u\x>n the homestead which he now occupies, but 
under a more humble roof than that of the pres- 
ent. Of the sons and daughters belonging to this 
household six are living. 

•Joseph IJutler w.-us born in Canandaigua County, 
N, Y,, and married Miss Rebecca Newton, who was 
also a native of the Kmpire Stale, .\fter marriage 
they first settled in Genesee County, and thence 
removed to Medina County. Ohio, .settling on a 
tract of land not far from the present site of the 
city of Cleveland. It is hardly iieees.sary to say 
that it bore little resemblance at that time to its 
pri>sent g«M>dly proportions. They did not sojourn 
long in the Buckeye .State, however, but in the fall 
of 1830 resumed their westward wanderings, and 
in due time pitcheil their tent among the pioneers 
of .Southern Michigan. The face of the country in 



f 



^ 



-^^ 



-•»• 



306 



ST. .lOSKPII COUNTY. 



Nottawa Townsliip. tliiis county, appeared to meet 
their requirements, wliiih were largely governed bj- 
their means, and tlie lives begun thus in a new 
country by the parents of our subject ended not 
far from the spot where they selected their pioneer 
home. Joseph Butler after an honorable and up- 
right career rested from his earthly labors on the 
6th of .Tune, 1882. being then neiirly eighty-six 
years old. When but a youth of sixteen years he 
shouldered his musket and proffered his services as 
a soldier in assisting to quell the troubles of 1812. 
He was in the fight at Black Rock, and there is no 
doubt that he met the foe .is unflinchingly as his 
comrades. L.iter, in 18.J2. he served in the Black 
Hawk War, being under the command of Capt. 
Kaincs. f.nther of the late James Kaines. He was a 
man of conscientious and religious principles, and 
about 1855 identified himself with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which he remained a mem- 
ber for a period of twenty-five years. He and his 
excellent wife for good reasons then joined tlie 
Baptist Church at ^lendon. Joseph Butler was 
known far and wide tis a man of true benevolence, 
ever ready to assist those in need, tendering his 
charities in that unostentatious manner which un- 
derlies the true princii)les of Christianity. The 
mother survived her husband nearly fivej-ears, lier 
death taking place at the home of her daughter, in 
Mendon. May 19. 1887. 

Benjamin F. Butler was reared to m.anhood in 
his native township, and acquired his education in 
the common school. He had all his life long been 
engased in agricultural pursuits, seeing nothing 
more desirable as an occupation than tilling the 
healthful soil and watching tiic smiling fields, which 
seldom failed to yield generously to the hand of 
the faithful husbandman. To the first purchase of 
the fathe^ more land was afterward .added, and the 
homestead now embraces 230 acres of some of the 
finest farming land in the county. 

The marriage of Benjamin F. Butler and Miss 
Jessie Ann Cattell was celebrated at the home of 
the bride in Centreville. May 19. 1863. Mrs. But- 
ler w.as byrn Feb. 28, 1843, .and is the daughter of 
William and Anna ( Totterdall) Cattell, who were 
natives of Lancashire. Kngland. They came to the 
United States in 1856 with their family of nine chil- 
4* 



dren, and settled in Xottawa Township, where they 
spent the remainder of their d.ays. The father died 
in 1858, and the mother passed away very sud- 
denly, after a brief illness of twenty-four hours, in 
1874. A further history will be found in the 
sketch of Charles H. Cattell on .another page in this 
volume. 

Jlrs. Butler is a native of the same county as her 
parents, having been born in Lancashire, Feb. 28. 
1843. Of her union with our subject there are 
two children: Lawrence F., who died when a babe 
of sixteen months, and Cecil A., who is now 
eighteen years of age. ^Ir. Butler during the sum- 
mer of 1884 put up his present residence, and is 
accredited with one of the plcasantest homes in St. 
Joseph County. He has lived quietly and unosten- 
tatiously, meddling very little with ijublic affairs. 
He keeps himself well posted, however, upon cur- 
rent events, and upon election day gives his un- 
qualified support to the Democratic party. 



■S^ C. WFLLESLKY has been identified with the 
Ihj business and social interests of St. Joseph 
/|l— <^ County for forty j-ears, he having estab- 
lished himself at Colon, as mercliant tailor in 1848, 
and is still earr^-ing on that business in this town. 
He is a native of Kngland, born in 1814. the second 
in the family of ten children of Edward and Ame- 
lia (Pottei) Wellesley. natives of England. They 
were lifelong residents of their birthplace, their 
death occurring a great many 3'ears ago. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in his native 
land, and carefully trained by his good parents to a 
life of industry and honesty. When a young man, 
full of energj' and ambitious to make his own way 
in the world, he decided to emigrate to America, and 
embarked from Liverpool in the American sailing- 
vessel "Washington," bound for this countrj-. After 
a long and tempestuous ocean voyage of six weeks, 
he landed at New York City in November. 1832. 
He remained in the East some two or three years, 
working in different cities. He also worked in 
Pennsylvania, and in Erie County, that State, be 
met Miss Jane Van Wormer, who became his wife^ 




ST. .lOSKlMI roUNTY, 



-4- 



.■((•; 



^' 



in 1835. She wns born in New York in 1819, tlie 
third c-iiild of the six children of Cliarles and ICIiza- 
bc-tii (Shcrwooil) Van Woriner, n.ilives of New 
York, heiiig )>lone"rs of the western p.irt of the 
Stntc. Her pr.ind father Sherwood was a Captain in 
the navy durinu; the Rcvohitionary War. shortly 
after niarriajje Mr. Welle.sley came to Michigan, an(l 
worked at first at iiis trade in Detroit. Wayne 
County. In tlie next year, 1 M6. he settled in Man- 
chester, Washtenaw County, where lie openc<l a 
tailor shop. lie staid there but a few years, bow- 
ever, moving in 1838 to Indiana, where he was en- 
gaged as a tailor for some ten \'ears. Me was a 
resident of that .Stflte during the exciting campaign 
attentlant upon the election of Harrison and Tyler, 
and rode with the Hon. .Schuyler Colfax over the 
old Tippecanoe battle-ground. In 1848 Mr. Wel- 
lesley made another and (inal move, and we find him 
comfortably estal)!ished in Colon. There being a 
mill here at that time it drew quite a number of 
residents to the town, and made trade lively for 
him. He built a small house and opene<l a mer- 
chant tailor's store, and in 18G4, his business had 
been so profitable that he wis enabled to build a 
commodious frame structure, in which he had one 
of the best appointed stores of the kind in this 
vicinity. He carried a large and well-.assorted 
stock of goods, and was doing an extensive business 
when he met with a severe loss in 1880, his build- 
ing being consume<l by fire. He now works in 
Godfrey's Block in Colon. 

Mr. Wellcsley has been three limes married. 
The wife of his earl}' manhood, a most estimable 
woman, who had faithfully devoted her life to him 
and their children, was in her last years an invalid. 
Ten children were born of that niarriage, four of 
whom are living : E. P. resides at Colon ; Amelia, now 
Mrs. (Ireenwood, resides in Three Rivers; Charles 
is married and resiiles in Union City; William A., 
a tador by trade, lives in Colon. Our subject's 
second marriage took place in KIkhart County, Ind., 
when he was united to Anna M. J. Benedict. She 
was born in Saratoga County, X. Y., in 1818, being 
the fourth of ten children of John and Susan Bene- 
dict, natives of New York. Her father was a car- 
penter and joiner by trade and also a car finisher. 
He is deceased. .Mrs. Wellesley's mother survived 

•^ 



her husbanrl's deatli many years, dying in 1870. at 
the ripe old age of ninety-two years. Mrs. Wclleslev 
departed this life .Ian. 16. 1873. after an illne,ss of 
some weeks. She was a truly goorl woman, and was 
respected by all who knew her for her many amialiic 
qualities. Our subject was married in Detroit. Dec. 
4, 1873. to Miss .Mary Kllen Benedict, a native of 
Saratoga, N. Y.. and a daugliterof Kdwin and Caro- 
line (Van Deu.sen) Benedict, the date of her birth 
being in 184.i. Her parents were natives of New 
York, and settled in Detroit when it w.ns a small city. 
They came to Colon and spent their last years in the 
home of our. subject. Mrs. Wellesley died May 3, 
1881. after a short illness. She was one of the 
noblest of women, beloved by all who knew her, 
and her death was a loss to the community. 

Mr. Wi-llcsley has played an important part in 
local affairs, alw.ays taking a decided interest in 
anything that in any way promotes the social or 
material welfare of the community, and has always 
served the town in some official capacity. He was 
Postmaster of Colon for upward of twenty-four 
j'ears. receiving his ap|)oinlmcrit to that position 
from President Lincoln, and has held many minor 
offices. He is active in [lolitics, and is one of the 
leading members of the Republican party in this 
county, having been a delegate to county conven- 
tions every year for fort}- years, and was a delegate 
to the Suate Convention of his party in 1888. So- 
cially, he is a prominent Knight Templar, is an 
earnest worker in the organization, and has held 
offices in the Chapter and Coinnjandery. He is 
identified with the I. O. O. F"., is Noble Grand 
M.aster at the present time, and has been represent- 
ative to the (Jrnnd Lodge nineteen terms. He hud 
one son in the service. 

-^ ' '^4^ ' ^^ 




IRA.M DRAPKR. Among the old and much 
resi>ected settlers of Colon Town.ship is the 
subject of the present sketch. His property 
(^; and residence are on .xwtion 32. and 600 
acres in extent. He was lK)rn on the 16th of No- 
vember, 1808, in Vershire. Orange Co., Vt. His 
j)arents removed to New Hamp.'<hirc when he was 
six years of age. and later to Wejitern New York. 



•^ i 4* 



.>-HI^^ 



,t 



308 



^T. .lOSKPH COUNTY. 



■where tliey settled in Alleiraiiy County, which was 
his home until tlie fall of 183(). when lie emjcrrated 
to this State, settling in Colon Township, where he 
has since continued to reside. 

In first making his home here Mr. Draper pur- 
chased eighty acres of land. To this he added from 
time to time, as he became able, until lie liecame the 
owner of over ilOO acres, over 20(1 of wliich is under 
the plow. He provided good farm buildings, sub- 
stantially erected and conveniently arr.anged. lie 
also ha.s I'ontinued to make good and valuable im- 
provements from time to time, and has been care- 
ful to keep his land in the highest possible state of 
cultivation. He has seen the country pass from the 
Territory to the State, and watched with pride its 
magnificent onward march in civilization, commer- 
cial importance and National iiithicnce, and in his 
younger, more active days was not behind his fel- 
lows in helping to make Michigan what it is. 

The subject of our sketch w.as four times married; 
first wliile in Allegany County, X. Y., in 1829, to 
June Couch. This lady was luirn in that county, 
and was the daughter of Jonathan and .Mary Couch. 
Of this union there were born three children, of 
whom his son Charles, of Kalamazoo County, is the 
sole surviving member. Tliis wife died in 1834. 
He suffered the desolation and loneliness consequent 
upon this bereavement until the year 1837. when he 
liecame the husband of Mrs. Lydia (Weaver) llolleu- 
back, a native of the Empire State; of this marriage 
there were born two children — Eunice and Henja- 
miu. The former is hapijily married to Andrew 
Gibson, and resides in St. Louis, Mo.; the latter is 
a resident of Coin. P.agc Co.. Iowa, and is engaged 
in farming. Mr. D.'s second wife died in IJurrOak 
Township, on the 20th of February, 1840. He w.as 
again married, the lady being Calista \Vilcox, who 
was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., Jan. 1.^. 1801, 
and died June 23, 1867. He was a fourth time mar- 
ried. Jan. 8. 1868. to Frances Innm.an: she was born 
in New York, April 14, 1818. and has one daughter. 
Mary E.. by her first marriage. Mrs. Draper's first 
husband's name was Francis Dnpaul. 

Mr. Draper has held several of the offices of the 
township, and is an earnest member of the Method- 
ist Episcop.al Church. Althougli he has retired 
from any active jiarticipation in the various politi- 



cal camijaigns. he is by no means the less interested 
in political affairs. He is. and always has been, a 
stanch Republican. 

Mr. Draper was active in the matter of introduc- 
ing the .\ir-Line Railroad from Jackson to Niles, 
and other enterprises. At the time of the war, as 
far as w.'is possible, he showed the greatest willing- 
ness and anxiety to help in its suppression, and was 
extremel}' anxious that in some way that end should 
be attained without the needless expenditure and 
loss of life, treasure and property. 



OIIN BAU:MElSrER. whose farm is situated 

Jon section 2 of Burr Oak Township and com- 
prises eighty acres, is a native of "\Vurtem- 
berg. South Germany, where he was born in 
the year 1834. The education within the possi- 
bility of his attainment was by no means extensive, 
lie lc;irned the trade of a weaver of linen, and be- 
came an expert workman. This article of house- 
hold use was formerly in general use for fine wear 
for the person, and in both chamber and dining- 
room, but now it is almost solely relegated to the 
latter. Of all countries where this article is made 
none can compare with the beautiful, heavy Ger- 
man linen, which is almost entirely made by li.and. 
The subject of our sketch emigrated to New York 
in 1854. His first home was in Pike County, Pa., 
but after one year spent in that district he came to 
this county, and located at Burr Oak. where he 
purchased fortj' acres of land, to which he has since 
added forty .acres. This he has largely improved 
and cultivated a.ssiduousl}'. The result of his en- 
terprise is apparent, and maj' be seen in every di- 
rection upon his property. 

The marriage of our subject was celebrated in 
this county, Nov. 20. 1859. the ladj- of his choice 
being .Sophia .Stull. daughter of Barney and Eliza- 
beth Stull. of Burr Oak. There has been born to 
them one son. who bears the name of George W., 
and who is still living with his parents. 

Mr. Baumeister is one of the leading German- 
Americans of the county. He is a man who h.as 
risen to his present position as the result of his own 
well-directefl and perseveringly sustained effort. 



■♦- 



ST. .lusiii'ii County. 



•t^ 



3oy 



f 



III- is Itruad and lilioral in iiis views on matters of 
soi'iai and rcliirious iinpoi-t. He is ono of the chief 
nicHitiers and supporters of the Lutheran Church, 
at IJuir Oak. and at the same time one of the most 
alile. Iiis lionie is the aliode of eultnre. relinement 
and elejL^mee. He has ifiven his son the best edu- 
cational opportunities, in whicli accomplishments 
have also found a place, and is happy in knowiui; 
that bis efforts are ajjpreciated and the opportuni- 
ties fully utilized hy his son, wlio is now tlie hus- 
liand of Miss KUa Trost. daujjliter of John and 
Hannah Trost. to whom he was united in wedlock 
at Colon. Jan. 2.'). 1H88. The son owns forty acres 
of land, anil is farming in connection with his 
father. Tiicy make a specialty of raising Ameri- 
can Merino sheep and I'oland-China hogs, and are 
quite successful in this line of business. 



-.ep^tusj®- 



.■3S-SX75JWV. 




^^ H.\ULKS H. CA TTELL. whose beautiful 
[l(^!^ home and .a<lnTirably conducted fertile farm 
^^^' is situated on section 35 of Mendon Town- 
ship, is one of the most capable and valued citizens 
of his district. His father, William Caltell. was 
a native of Somersetshire, England, as was also 
his mother, whose maiden name w.is Anna Totter- 
dall. His parents were there married, and made 
their home until about the year 1856, when they 
c.ime to this country, bringing with them their 
family of nine children, ami settling on Nf)tt;iwa 
prairie, where they made their home until their 
death. His father died in 1858, his mother in 1874, 
after an illness of twenty-four hours only. The}- 
were both much esteemed in the community, and 
their home wius one of the brightest; in their death 
the community sustaineil a loss that was fully real- 
ized. 

Our subject was the tifth cliihl in the above 
family. He was born in the same county as his 
l>nrents, and on the 15th of July, 1835. His early 
'ife was spent in England and there also hi.^ eiluca- 
tion W.1S obtained. He accompanied his father on 
the journey to America Jn the spring of 1856. the 
mother and remaining nieniljcrs of the family join- 
ing them in the fall of that year. He has made his 

4* 



home at Notlawa and has made agriculture his chief 
employment. His farm of 3«() acres, part of which 
is in .Mendon and pari in Nottawa Township, is one 
of the best in this part of the county. He has ex- 
pemled no little thought and care upon it in the en- 
deavor to bring it to that desirable condition. He 
has made many good and valnalile improvements 
and enjoys good success. 

Mr. Catlell has been twice married, once in Not- 
tawa on the 8th of March. 1871, when he received 
the hand of Marion \'anilerniark. of Leonidas. This 
lady was born to John and Jane Vanderm;irk, at 
Leonidas, April 4, 1844. Three children blessed 
their union, viz : Addle J., Agnes C. and Charles 
J. This wife died on the 2d of June, 187'J. Tiie 
second mari'iage was celebrated in Lucas County. 
Ohio, where, on Jan. 27, 1881, he stood before 
the altar with Alice Hain. the estimable daugh- 
ter of Joseph and Susan Hain. .She was born in 
Waterville, Lucas County. June 22,1855. She has 
presented her husband with one beanlifnl little 
daughter, who bears the name of .Mabel S. 

Mr. Cattell has been called upon by his fellow- 
citizens to occui>y various township olHces. and he 
has always done so in a way that has shown the 
wisdom of the selection. He is a genial, |)leas!int 
gentleman, intelligent, educated, a man of charac- 
ter anil unimpeachable honor. He is usually found 
voting the Democratic ticket and is afllliated with 
the party presenting the same. He is the head of 
one of the most hap|)y households in the county, 
ami, with his wife, is no stranger to hospitalities and 
social influences. 



^/ AMES O. S.MITH, although not very long a 
resident of Mendon Township, is recognized 
as one of its most valued citizens, and is the 
proprietor of a good farm on sectiim 1. Dur- 
ing the years of a busy career he has labored to 
good Advantage and acquired a competence for his 
old age. 

Our subject was born in the town of Half Moon, 
Saratoga Co.. X. Y.. Dec. lU. 1843, and was the 
youngest of ten children of .lames, .Sr., and Abbie 
(Vickery) .Smith, who were also natives of Saratoga 



f 



■•► 



J. 



310 



ST. .lOSEPH COUNTY. 




County. Tlieie .ilso they were le.ared and married, 
and lived nnlil llie death of the mother, whicli oc- 
curred in 184."). The father subseqnently changed 
his residence to Alhany County, where he spent his 
last years, passinj? away ahoul 1H76. Of their three 
sons and seven daughters, five are now living, and 
located mostly in Saratoga and Alhany Counties. 
N. Y. 

Ml-. Smith was reared at his father's country 
homestead in liis native county, where lie lived until 
a youtli of eighteen years, acquiring a common- 
school education and becoming familiar with agri- 
cultural pursuits. His mother had died when he 
was a lad of two years, and from his youth up he 
was largely depenilent upon himself, and formed the 
habits of industry and economy wliicli have paved 
tlie way to his success in life. L'lwn leaving liome 
about 18G1, he went into Orleans County, N. Y., 
and for one year was emiiloyed there on a farm by 
tiie inontli. Later lie loolv up the science of agri- 
culture on his own hook, operating four years in 
Orleans County. N. Y., until about 1866. 

Our subji'ct now migrated to Southern Miciiigan, 
and sojourned a period of a few months in Brady 
Township, Kalamazoo County. Then returning to 
his native Stale he liveil in Orleans County, carrying 
on farming until May. 1881. He now decided to 
locate permaiientlv in this county, and .accordingly 
purchased liis present farm in Mendon Township. 
Here he has i;^6 acres of good land with suitable 
buildings, a fair assortment of farm m.achineiy. live 
stoclx, and the general appliances of the well-regu- 
lated country estate. 

On the 28th of January, 1863, occurred a most 
interesting event iu the life of our subject, viz: 
his marriage, which was celebrated in Orleans 
County, N. Y., the bride being Miss Hattie V. 
Flint. This lady was a native of Albion, and died 
at their home in Orleans County, Jan. 14, 1879, 
leaving no children. Mr. Smith contracted a second 
matrimonial alliance in Kalamazoo County, this 
State, June 7, 1881, with Miss Emma Paine. Mrs. 
Emma Smith was born in Barre, Orleans Co., N. Y., 
Oct. 23, 18,58, and is the daughter of John and 
Mary A. (Bates) Paine, being the lliinl in a family of 
ten children. Her parents were natives of Buffalo, 
and are now residents of Orleans County. All of 



their children are living, and located mostl\' in 
Orleans County. N. Y. 

Of this marriage of our subject there have been 
born three children, two daughters and a son — 
Hattie. May and James O. Mr. Smith cast his first 
Presidential vote for A. Lincoln, and is one of the 
most reliable members of the Republican parly. 



>.|-^ik- 




ENRY DRIESBACH, Superintendent of the 
County Farm, was placed in charge of this 
institution in tiie j'ear 1884. and in the dis- 
charge of his responsible duties has acquit- 
ted himself with great credit. It is a position 
difficult to fill, one requiring great tact and good 
judgment, and one to which the i)rescnt incumbent 
seems thoroughly adapte<L The farm comprises 
180 acres of land kx'ated on section n. Fawn River 
Township, and accommodates twenty-nine depend- 
ants of the county, some of whom are able to as- 
sist in its labors, and some of whom are not. The 
land is under a good state of cultivation, yielding 
under its present good management sufficient to 
maintain its beneficiaries in a comfortable manner. 
Our subject w.as born in Clarence Township, 
Erie Co, N. Y., Aug. 7, 1829, and is the son of 
Jonathan and Susan (Hershey) Driesbach. the former 
a native of Pennsylvania, and of Holland-Dutch 
ancestr}-, and the latter born in the Dominion of 
Canada. The father began life April 3, 1800. was a 
tradesman, and also followed coopering until 1848, 
in Williamsville. N. Y. The parents lived in Erie 
County. N. Y.. where the father died in 1885; the 
mother is still living. Their family included four 
children, of whom our subject was the eldest. His 
younger sister, Harriet, the widow of Charles C. 
Grove, is living near Buffalo, Erie Co.. N. Y. ; 
Isaac learned the coopering trade of his father, and 
located in Memphis. Tenn.. where his death took 
place about 1872; William was married in Erie 
County, N. Y., where he died about 1886. 

Our subject left the Keystone State when a roan 
of thirty years, in 18;")'.), and coming to this county, 
settled in Sturgis Township. He had learned black- 
smithing in New York, but after coming to Michi- 
gan engaged in butchering, which he followed in ^ 



■♦- 



sr. JOSKl'H COUNTY. 



-t^ 



:n[ 



t 



Sttirjris five years. In 18fi3 lie purchnsed 100 acres 
of hiiitl almut tlirce miles west of the present Count}' 
Farm, and thereafter engaged in agiiciilturu! pur- 
suit*. Upon tliis lie lived until 1884, .ind then left 
it in charge of lieiijamin Baker. 

Our suliject was married, in 1852. to Miss Harriet 
N. Campliell, who was horn in 183'2, in Erie County, 
N. Y.. and is the daughter of Matthew and Cath- 
erine (Uoyer) Caniphell, the father a prominent 
farmer and stock-raiser of liric County, N. Y. The 
parents were natives of Pennsylvania. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Drieslmch there have been horn six cliildren, 
two sons and four daughters: Harriet N. is the wife 
of Thomas lUirton, engaged in farming at Burr 
Oak; Henry is farming in Allegan County, this 
State: Kittie S. is nurse in the city hospital at Buf- 
falo, N. Y.; Herr is at home; Lottie is engaged as 
a clerk for the wholesale hardware firm of Sheppard 
A- Co., in Bufftdo, N. Y'.; and Ella M. died in 1855. 
Mrs. DriesliMcli died in 1870. Mr. D. wasa second 
time married, in 1871. to Mrs. Kate S. Hawk, widow 
of the late Lafayette Hawk, her maiden name being 
Gee. Mrs. D. has two children by her first mar- 
riage — Isaac N. and Frederick L. 

Mr. Drieslmch has been quite prominent in local 
affairs, olliciatiiig as I'alhmaster and School Di- 
rector in his township, aiirl identifying himself with 
the various enterprises tending to the prospeiity of 
its people. He was Supervisor of the township 
four years, has also held the oliice of Township 
Trea.-urer two years, and that of Highway Commis- 
sioner three years. 

j^^IDNEY CAIU'ENTER. the owner of one 

^^^^ of the finest farms in Burr Oak Town- 

'mJ\SJ ship, came to this county a |KM)r man in 

the year 183G. He had m.ade the journey 

overland from Cattaraugus County, N. Y.. with a 

team of horses and a wagon. He had borrowed <(()(! 

in money with which to .secure po.ssession of a tract 

of land, and with this limited ca|)ital corainencod 

in earnest the struggle from-whicli he h.as come out 

with rtying colors. To detail the hardslii|xs and 

struggles which he endured in bringing the soil to 

a state of cultivation and building up for himself 



and family a comfortable homestead, would only be 
to recapitulate the story which has so often been 
told in connection with the early history of Michi- 
gan. .SulHce it to say that he proved to be one of 
the most enterprising men of hi.s coniniunity, and 
to-day bears the reputation of being one of the 
most prosjjerous. He looked uiron this section of 
the country in its Territorial days, and no man ha.s 
taken a wanner interest in its growth and pros- 
perity. 

Mr. CariKJiitcr wits born in Worcester County. 
Mijss., April 27, 1810, and is consequently nearing 
his fourscore years. From New England he mi- 
grated to Cattaraugus County, N. Y.. settling with 
a brother-in-law i_n the vicinity of Farmersville. 
"where he lived and carried tin farming until 18;?(i. 
His next removal w,i.s to this county. His jwrents, 
Frederick .and F-uniee (Burris) Carpenter, were n.i- 
tives respectively of Connecticut and Massachu- 
setts, and the maternal grandfather, David Burris, 
was an old Revolutionary soldier, who served his 
seven years in the army and lived to rejoice in wit- 
nessing the independence of the Colonists. After- 
ward lie settled upon a farm in the vicinity of 
Warren. Mass., and there spent his l.nst days. Fred- 
crick Cari)enter closed his eyes u\Km earthly scenes 
at his'home in Massachusetts, in 1822; the mother 
died in New York in 18G5. Their lK)Useliold in- 
clude<l thirteen children. 

Mr. Carpenter upon coming to this county pur- 
cliasc<l eighty acres of land on section 20, which is 
now included in his present farm, and to which he 
has added until his estate embraces about 3(KI. acres. 
lie has about him all the comforts of mo<lern life, 
including good buihlings. fruit and shade trei's, 
shrubbery, barns, live stock and modern machin- 
ery. His course h.as been marked by that industry 
and |)er.severance which seldom fail to meet with 
their legitimate reward. He was iuarrie<l, .Ian. U>, 
18:{;3. to >nss Eunice, daughter of Peres Brown, of 
Farmersville. N. Y.. and they begun the journey of 
life together in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and trav- 
eled thereafter in eom|)any for a peri<.)d of seven- 
teen yesirs, when the <levote<I wife was called hence 
on the loth of .liine. I85li. Of this union there* 
were no chiblren. 

.Mr. Carpenter, in August. 1851. contracted a sec- 



i~ 



1*^:^-^ 



•►hf^ 



312 



!ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



ond marriage, with Miss Amanda Worden, who was 
born in New York in 1833. Tiie parents of the 
present Mrs. Carpenter spent their last years in 
New York. Of tliis marriajre of our subject there 
were born three .sons and three (laughters, one of 
wliom, Eugene, died Sept. 24, 1855, when an in- 
fant of six montlis. Their eldest son, Frederick, is 
a prosperous farmer of Burr Oak Townsiiip; Ida is 
the wife of Lorentus Porter, and .Jennie is the wife 
of Charles TurnbuU. both well-to-do farmers of 
Burr Oak Township; Hose was married to Lester 
Perrin. of Sherman Townsiiip, and died .Ian. 24. 
1874. and Charles died in 1862. Mr. Carpen- 
ter cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. .lack- 
son, and for many jears has been a supporter of 
the principles of the Democratic party. 



-^-^ 



-{- 



^F M. GRAHAM, who liolils a good position 
w5'4!l| among tlie members of the legal profession 
i) in Jiurr Oak. cslaltlislieil at tliis place on 
the 1st of December, 1874. lie was born 
in Slailison Townsiiip, Lenawee County, this State, 
Oct. 1, 1841, and was educated in tiie common 
schools of his native county. His parents, WiU 
marth and Saraii (Coats) Graham, were natives of 
New York State, and of Scotch descent. The pa- 
ternal great-grand fatiier was born in liie city of 
Glasgow, .Scotland. 

Tlie |)arents of our siil)jeot left their native State 
soon after tiieir marriage, antl emigrated to Lena- 
wee County, Midi., wiiere tiie fatlier secured a 
tract of land and carried on farming until 1858; 
he tlien removed to Burr 0:ik, wiiere lie remained 
uiilil ills death, wliicii took pKace Feb. 22, 1866. 
Tlie mother died Jan. 6, 188!). The household cir- 
cle embraced two ciiiidren onl}', our suliject and 
his sister Adelia. Tiie latter now resides at Ciiarle- 
voix, Micii., and is the wife of Lorenzo B. Porter. 

Young Graliani continued willi iiis parents on 
the farm in liis native townsin'i) until his marriage, 
whicli occurred Dec. 11, 1860. His liride was Miss 
Lorena Porter; she lived not quite two years after 
iicr marriage, her death taking place in September, 
1868. Mr. Graiiini, in July, 1869, w.as tiie second 
time married, to Mrs. Augusta Tobe}', of Burr Oak, 

-<• ! 



and the daughter of Gideon and Jane Sanliorn, 
who were natives of M.-issachusetts; tlie former is 
now dead, but the latter is still living. Of this 
union there has been born one child, a daughter, 
Jennie. 

Mr. Graham h.os worked his own way up in the 
world, having no capiUil to begin with, and has at- 
tained to his present position solely- by his own 
eflforts. He taught school a few terms, and went 
from tlie farm into a law oHice at Burr Oak, where 
he made good use of his time, keeping his eyes 
open to wliat was going on around him. In Feb- 
ruary", 1805, during the last year of the war, he 
enlisted in the United States Navy, with the Mis- 
sissippi Squadron, which operated on tlie Mississippi, 
Tennessee, Ohio and Cumberland Rivers. At the 
close of the war he was discharged, Jnly 28, 1865, 
and took up his residence in Burr Oak. 

Our subject was a member of the Republican 
party until 1876, when he identified himself with 
tlie Green bivckers, and with them has since been an 
active worker. He lias hehl the ollice of Justice 
of the Peace in Burr Oak two terms, and was Cir- 
cuit Court Commissioner in St. Joseph County the 
same length of time. Socially, he belongs to the 
Masonic fraternity. His iiome is ple.asanti}' lo- 
cated at the corner of Henry ar.d Second streets. 

(j^^ AMUEL AMESS. Among the well-known, 
^^^ respected an<l patriotic citizens of Burr Oak 
(ft^\u) Township, nimeare more wortliy of a jilace 
in this volume than he whose history is 
here iu-ietly sketched. Mr. Amess is a native of 
Norfolk, England, and was born in August, 1819. 
He came to America inthej^ear 1851. In England 
he had been a day laborer, and followed the same 
when beginning life here. By care, management 
and frugality, coupled with honest raanl}' effort, he 
has made his way to Ids present most cre<1itable 
position in society. The maiden name of the ex- 
cellent wife of our suljject was Nancy Doughty, 
the daughter of John Doughty, who was also a 
laborer in England. Our subject first came to 
America alone, and after he had saved sutticient 
money he sent for his wife and little one. Their 

" •► 



-4»- 



ST. .JOSEPH COUNTY. 



■«»• 



■.US 






home lifls been in the vicinity of Burr Oak since 

lflG«. 

In llie veiir lK(i2 liic sulijcct of our i<kt'tcii enlisted 
in the Union Army, lieconiliif; a nu'iiihi-r of the 
IVtIi New York Battery, and serve<l from that time 
until the close of tlie war. lie was in the iTide- 
pendent Batteiy.anil took part in man3'of tlie bmall 
engagements and skirmishes. 

Keceiving an honorahle discharge at the expira- 
tion of his military service our sul'ject returneil to 
hisiiomc, and once more engaged in the struggle to 
lietter the condition in life of hiniself and family, 
an<i provide something against the time when lie 
would be unahle to continue artluous toil. Realizing 
the opportunity that is afftirdetl in this grandly free 
counliy, he matle the most of it. and was at all times 
assisted to the utmost hy his wife, who has been a 
nobly true and faithful wdnian in every relation of 
life. 

Our subject and wife have luit one ilaughter, 
Mary A., who is the wife of AVilliani Watson, one 
of the well-to-do and prosperous farmer of Burr 
Oak Township. She was born in Kngl.nnd, on the 
.5th of September, \H:>o. Her parenlsand also her- 
self and husband are accorded the esteem of the com- 
munity, anil are regarded as worthy and honorable 
members of the same. Jlrs. Amtss attends the 
Methodist Ki)iscopal Church, and in politics Mr. 
A. is a Republican. 



\ ORVnoN (KOOKS is one of the most relia- 
ble and ihritlv citizens of Burr Oak Town- 
^^^' ship, lie is a native of Delaware County, 
Ohio, and w;is born at O.xford on the IJth of .Inly. 
lf<2;!. His father, George Crooks, was a native of 
Pennsylvania and followc<] the trade of a blacksmith. 
The maiden name of his wife, the mother of our 
sidiject. was .Susitnnah Cowles. They were the par- 
ents of five cbihlren, two sons and three daughters. 
After he left school our suhject was apprenticed 
to learn the carpentry tnule. and became quite an 
able mechanic. He continued to follow his trade 
for about fort}' years, during which time he lived 
in Indiana. In April of jM-l'.l he w.-is married, in 
Steuben County, Ind., to Mrs. Deborah Uecbe. the 



daughter of Amos and Martha (Ross) Beebc. The 
wife of our subject was boiri on the ;3il of .lanu.'iry, 
1S2!». in Knox County. Ohio, and until her marriage 
made her home with her parents. She liecame the 
mother of one son, whose name is Amos D., of 
(ioshen, Ind. 

Mr. Crooks migrateil to Michigan in 18Hl,and 
worked at his trade, but also took a tract of land, 
which he proceeded to improve. He now with his 
son owns 130 acies, all of which is well improved 
and highl}' cultiviited ; he carries on general farming. 

Mrs. Crooks is a stanch member of the Church of 
Holy Da}' .'^aints, ami has been in that relation since 
1888. . The political s^'mpathies of our subject are 
with the Republican party, with which helms always 
voted since having the right so to do. 



I 



-^^ 



.»<a^2£/(5-j@«^g^T.®J^V2rOT»\»-vv.»- 



^AMES E. SEAVER. The subject of this 
sketch arrived in this county from Lock- 
port, Ni.ngara Co., X. Y., in December, 
>^!J/ 1869. nearly twenty years ago, and li.as since 
residcil within its limits. During this time he has 
l)een interested in local .affairs, serving as a memher 
of the Village Council, and is .at present .lustiec of 
the Peace. He is a native of Orleans County, N. Y., 
and is the son of B. E. and Evaline (B.'irlow) .Sea- 
ver. who were also natives of the Emjiire Stale. 
The father was for some years a foundryman at 
Rochester, N. Y., but later turned his attention to 
farming, seltlmg on a tract of land in Orleans 
County. N. Y., where he spent his last days, ami 
ilied in Februarj', 1800. The paternal grandfather, 
William Seaver, was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War. 

Mr. Seaver. after leaving the primary schools, at- 
tended Genesee College for a time and other schotds 
at Buffalo. N. Y. Three years atterwanl he was en- 
gaged in teaching. Later, for another iK.'rio<l of 
three years, he was employeil as a bookkeeper for 
an importing house in New York City. When set- 
ting aiioul the esUiblishment of a home of his own, 
he was married to Miss Cornelia A. Hinman, of 
Lockport, N. Y. This lady is the daughter of 
Charles and Margaret (1. (.McKnitilU) Hinman. 
both natives of New York State, and the father of 



■► I t m^ 



,t 



314 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



English descent. The first rcpresentitive of his 
family in this country crossed tiie ocean in the 
'•Mayflower" in 1620. Cornelia A. completed ber 
education in the city schools of Lockport, N. Y. 
She employed herself as a teacher before her mar- 
riage, which took place in her native county. After 
ISGi) Mr. Seaver followed farming until he took 
up his residence in the western jwrlion of the vil- 
lage of Burr Oak, where he now lives. 

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Seaver consists of 
five children, iianiel}': Julia, Beverly E., Nelson H., 
Edgar and Herbert. Mr. .Seaver, politically, affil- 
iates with the Republican party, and is an active 
suppcjrter of its princii>les. He identified himself 
with tiie Masonic fraternity, and is a member of 
Lo<lge No. ;3oG, at Medina. He has always been 
interested in the mattei's of import;ince to the com- 
munity in general, and has been the incumbent 
of otlices of trust and responsibility. 



-<3= 



J I OSEPH C. STOWELL. Among the pioneers 
l{ of St. Joseph County none are lielil in higher 
I: regard than the subject of this biography. 
'' Tlirifly, well-to-do,' honorable and upright 
in his transactions, Mr. St(jwell i)r(>sents the picture 
of the typical pioneer and one of the most valued 
members of his community, lie settled in Burr 
Oak Township in IHST), and has since been closely 
itlentilicd with the interests of its people. 

The town of Winchester. Cheshire Co., N. H., 
cradled our subject seventy-eight years ago. he 
having been born Oct. 27, 1810. His parents, Eli- 
jah and Deborah (Lincoln) Stowell, were natives of 
the same town as their son, the father born May 
28, 177i», and the mother July 2!», 1774. Their 
family included six sons and six daughters, who 
presented the remarkable circumstance of all living 
to mature years, marrying and being settled in 
comfortable homes of their own. The record of 
their births is as follows: Lovisa, March 20, 1804; 
Alvah, Oct. 8. 1X05; Paul. Feb. 2:5. 1807; Deborah, 
Nov. 18, 1808; Joseph C. Oct. 27,1810; Israel, 
Sept. 10. 1812; Elijah. Nov. 27, 1814; Abigail. Oct. 
9, ISIG; Sftuuiel L., Nov. 1, 1818; Khoda, April 9, 



1821 ; Hannah. Aug. 26. 182.3. and Elijah C. March 
16, 1827. The family left the Old Granite St.ate in 
1819, locating in Madison Count}', N. Y. 

Our subject continued a resident of New York 
State with his parents until March, 1885, when he 
started out on a prospecting tour, visiting this 
county. The following spring he repeated his jour- 
ney-, and selected eight}" acres of land on section 14, 
in Burr Oak Township, and which is now included 
in his present homestead. He was prospered in his 
labors as a tiller of the soil, and in due time added 
eighty acres. He has 100 of this under a high state 
of cultivation, and has erected the buildings neces- 
sary for his convenience and comfort. 

Our subject was first married, in 1837, to Miss 
Alvira M. Niles, who lived only one j-ear after her 
wedding. In .March, 1840, he was married to his 
present wife, then Miss Claravina, daughter of 
Misliael and Ruth (Bidwell) Beadle, who were orig- 
inally from the town of Marengo, Wa^'ne Co., N. 
Y. In 1818 they left the Empire State, an<l settled 
near the town of Bucyrus, Crawford Co., Ohio. 
Thence they came to .Michigan, lived for a time in 
the vicinity of Mottville, and later removed to 
Young's Prairie. In June, 1828. they changed their 
residence to Flowcrfield, and in the summer of 1829 
Mr. Beadle erected a small gristmill, which was 
known as the "corn-cracker." It was of the primi- 
tive style of archilcctuie, and the flour was bolted 
through book muslin. Mrs. Stowell when a girl 
spent many an hour shaking this bolt Ijy hand dur- 
ing her father's absence from tiie mill. The ina- 
chiner}' of this mill was finally modernized by 
putting in buhr grinding stones. 

The Black Hawk War breaking out in the spring 
of 1832, Mishael Beadle joined the army, but was 
not permitted to eng.age in any active fighting, as 
the famous chief was soon afterward captured and 
the conflict closed. Mr. Beadle then returned home 
and continued his milling until 1832. He then pur- 
chased a farm in Fabius Township, but lived only a 
short time afterward, pjissing away in April, 1839. 
The widowed mother survived a period of eleven 
j'ears. lived to see her children grown, and then 
departed hence, with the consciousness of having 
done well her |)art in life. 

Of the marriage of our subject there have been 

•► 



r 



-^^ 




ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



3i; 



l)(>ni four cliildrcn: Melissii I).. A[)ril 12,1841; 
Until A.. .I:in. 2S. 1843: Joseph M.. May 1, 184.5, 
and Hciij.'iinin K.. March U, 1H47. Josi-ph. during 
the lalu Civil War. ciiiisti'd in Keliruary, 18C4, in 
Conipanj- K, 7th Michigan Infantry, whieli was soon 
transferred to Company I. lie participaleil in tiie 
liatllu of the Wilderness, and marched to Peters- 
burg, where lie met a solrlier's death June 22 of 
that same .year. Mi's remains were subsequently 
broujiht home and laid to rest in the cemetery near 
Iiy. He w.as a fine specimen of manhood, a brave 
soldier, aiul was cut down in the lh)wer of liis3"outh. 
being only nineteen years of .age. Miss Melissa Stow- 
ell. the eldest daughter of our subject, and now the 
head of the household, is a lady of more than ordi- 
nary abilities, and the comfort and protection of her 
aged parents as tliey are passing down the sunset 
hill of life. Benjamin, the youngest of the family, 
resides witli his familj- on a portion of the home- 
stead, where he carries on agriculture. 



^1^ irilKR (.|;A\KS, a represenl.alive farmer 
5) of St. Joseph County, is the son of (oscph 
<; raves, that well-known pioneer, who es- 
tablished himself in the embryo community of Burr 
Oak Township as early as February. 1833, while 
Michigan was still a Territory. The native State 
of the latter wa.s Vermont, and he was born in the 
town of Barton, Orleans County, Aug. 30, 1791. 

The father of our subject left the Green Jlount- 
ain Suite in I82(i. and making his way to Genesee 
County, N. Y.. sojournefl there a period of six 
years, and carried on farming. lie started for IMich- 
igan in the winter of 1832. At that time the Chi- 
cago Turnpike had been surveyed and jMrtially con- 
structed, although no briflges had luvn built. 'I'he 
streams, however, were mostly fordable, and the 
swamps intervening were "cortluroyefl." Jose|>h 
Graves u|K)n reaching Burr Oak Township located 
on section 1 1, ]>urchasing 240 acres of land of a 
man bj- the name of Hatch, formerly of LeRoy, 
N. Y. 

The parental family of our subject consisted at 
that time of seven children, <two of whom are now 



living: l':uscal is deceased; Lucinda became the 
wife of John Stillman, of Burr Oak. a mason b^' 
trade, but now retired; Luther; Daniel and Carlos, 
deceased; Julia, who married (Jeorge Boyles, is 
also decea.sed. and an infant died unnamed. The 
mother. Mrs. .Sarah (Sanborn) (Jraves. w:is born in 
June, 17'.)7, in Barton. Orleans County, and was 
the daughter of Klijah Sanborn, a miller. .She died 
July (). 18;i(!. She was a most estimable huly. faith- 
ful and kind, and was beloved bv all who knew 
her. Joseph Graves survived his wife a period of 
thirteen years, his death taking place March 20, 
181;). He was a Whig, politically, and in his na- 
tive State had identified himself with the ^leth- 
odist Episcopal Church. He passed away before the 
organization of a Methodist .Society in this eount^', 
but still continued his adherence to its doctrines. 

The subject of this sketch, like his parents, was 
born in Barton, Orleans Co., X. Y. He made his 
home with his father up to the time of the latter's 
death, although working for himself after reach- 
ing his majority. He was married, on the 27th of 
March. 1845. to Miss P^liza. daughter of Col. John 
Start, of Onondaga, N. Y., who was .at that time 
living near the city of Syracuse. He was a Colo- 
nel of Militia, and by occupation a farmer and 
blacksmith. Of this marriage of our subject, his 
son Linneous L., who w.is an engineer by profession, 
and a resident of Chicago, died Sept. 2'J, 188U. 'Hie 
circumstances surrounding his death are sad and 
somewhat mysterious, he having gone out duck- 
hunting, and, it is supposed, was murdererl. He bad 
been married, and left a wife and five children, two 
sons and three daughters, who are still residents of 
Chicago, living at No. 440 Twenty-ninth street. 
The remains of this son were brought home and 
interred in the cemetery at Burr (Jak. Mrs. Eliza 
Graves died Feb. 17. 18.52. 

Mr. Graves was married the second time, April 
27, 18.53, to Miss Joanna, daughter of Benjamin 
Sellick, who is now decejused. He was a mason by 
trade, and the family were at that time residents of 
Coldwater. Of this union there have been born 
seven children: Frank, a farmer of Burr 0.ak Town- 
ship; Emma, at home with her jvirents; Daniel, 
who is farming in Burr Oak Township; Minnie, 
who died at the age of two years and nine months; 



n 



.»-ll^^ 



318 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



JFaiv. Maiulc nnd Mabel, the latter of whom was 
twelve years of age Oct. 14, 1888. Tlie (Jraves 
property consists of 160 acres of land in a highly 
fertile condition, with good improvements. The 
proprietor is industrions. fiiigal. and in good cir- 
cumstances. 

It is with pleasure that we present the portrait of 
this estimable fjentleman in this volume. 



4 



-5— f=^^=^->-^ 




HINEAS FARRAND. This gentleman oc- 

1; cu])ies a prominent place among the citi- 
zens of his neigiiborhood. and is among the 
old residents of Colon Township, one who 
has played no mean part in the dcvekijjment and 
growth of the county, and who bore to the full the 
peculiar difHculties and trials connected with pio- 
neer life. His father, .losei)!) Fjirrand, was liorn in 
Morris County, N. J. His mother, before her mar- 
riage, bore the name of Jolia Compson, and "a.s a 
native of the same .Slate. They were married in 
Morris County. >.'. .1., Dec. 1, ITD'J, and first set- 
tled in the town of Meiitz. in Cayuga County. N. Y. 
There they made their home, and the husbaml en- 
gaged in farming until 1837, then came to this 
county and settled in Colon Townshi|), which was 
their lH)nie as long as they needed one. Tliej- 
were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom 
came to mature years, viz: Charles C, Ebenezer, 
James H., Electa M., Henry K.. Catharine C, Abi- 
gail E. and I'hineas. 

The subject of this sketch was the j'oungest of 
the family, and is now the only surviving member 
thereof. He was born in Meutz, Ca3Uga Co., N. Y., 
on the 22(1 of December, 1^'2(). There his early 
years were spent, an<l his school days were passed. 
These be filled as wr.s usual with his companions, 
fur the most part .diviiling his lime between his 
lessons and "home chores," with some liule lime, 
perhaps, for the play that every schoolboy finds a 
vital necessity. 

When he was seventeen years of ago Mr. Far- 
rand came with his father to Michigan, and has 
been a resident of section 3. Colon Township, since 
1837. oi- lifty-one years, and has given his attention 
continuously to agriculture. He put up one vf the 



finest residences in the county, that which he now 
occupies, which was elected in 1883, and is an 
elegant brick structure, arranged and subdivided 
with the view to comfort and convenience. All 
his farm buildings are well built, and designed es- 
pecially to meet the various requirements and uses 
to which they may be put. His whole farm, which 
contains about 700 acres, is managed with the same 
thoroughness and practical utilitj'. 

October 23, 1845, in Leonidas Township. St. 
Joseph Countj', Mr. Farrand and Miss Betsey M. 
Kinne were united in marri.age. His wife was born 
at Naples, Ontario Co., N. Y., on the 4th of Decem- 
ber, 1826, and is the daughter of Maj. Elias h. and 
Martha (Clark) Kiinie. Her parents were natives 
of Massachusetts and Jsew York respectively. 
Their family circle included twelve children, and 
their daughter Betsey was the sixth child born. She 
is the mother of four children, viz: Josejjh K., a 
farmer in Colon Township; Theron G., who died 
Maixli M, 1.S7.'); Ella M. and Grant E., both of 
whom are at home 

Mr. Farrand has been for several years County 
Snperii'tendent of the Poor, and also Highw.ay Com- 
missioner. He is a firm friend of Ihe Re|)ublican 
parly, and always votes its ticket. He is every- 
where held in high regard, as are also his wife and 
the members of his familv. 



JOHN E. .\1).V.MS. There is probably not a 
pioneer of St. Joseph County who has seen 
more of life in a new country and endured 
more iiatiently its varied hardships than the 
venerable genllemau whose name heads this Iiiog- 
raphv. and who is now, and h.as been for a jjeriod 
of twenty-one years, a resident of Burr Oak Town- 
ship, and of the county fifty -three years. He was 
born in Cairo. .Mbany Co.. N. Y., Sept. 20, 1817, 
his childliood home being situated about two and 
one-half miles e.ist of the village. His father, Ed- 
ward Adams, was a farmer by occupation, a con- 
scientious Christian gentleman, and spent iniu'h of 
his spare time traveling over the Catskill Mouni.-iin 
regions, laboring as an exhorter or local ijreaciu'r 
in the Master's vinevard. He was called from his 



•►Jk-4* 



»► ir^ 




ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



319 '^ 



earthly labors in 1857. after having rounded up the 
sum of fiftv-five yejirs. 

Kdnard Aihnns in early inaniiood was married to 
Miss JIary Mosher. the daujjiiter of Kplirafm 
Moslier, who was one of the most devout Quakers 
of Dutchess County, N. Y. She was an eminently 
good woman, a faithful helpmate to her husband, 
and a kind and loving mother of two sons and six 
daughters. Of these, .lohn Iv, our subject, was 
next to the youngest. Kphraim,a brother, and Mrs. 
Asenath IJenjamin, a sister, still live in the town of 
Florence, this county, where the family located in 
the spring of 1835. The other children have long 
since passed aw.ay. 

.John K. .\dams, our subject, was born .Sept. 20, 
1817, and lived with his parentis until twent^-'two 
years of age. On the 31st of December. 1840. being 
reafly to establish a hf>me of his own. he was united 
in marriage with Miss Mary JI.. daughter of Benja- 
min and Klizabeth (Howser) ^lettler. Tlie latter 
were natives of New .lersey, and of Dutch ancestrj', 
who i)robably crossed the Atlantic during the 
Colonial times. Benjamin Metier emigrated to 
Michigan during its pioneer days, settling on a 
tract of land in Nottawa Township, this county. 
He carried on farming successfully. 

To .loliii K. and Mary M. Adams there were born 
six children: I^evi K., Sept. ?1, 1841, and now a 
farmer of .Vdams Township; Loren was born Aug. 
1 1, 1843. and is carrying on farming successfully 
in the vicinity of (irand Rapids; Sarah .1. w,a.s l)orn 
Feb. 25. 1847. and is the wifeof William llollinger. 
of Klkliart, Ind.; Minerva was born April 23. 1856, 
and is the wife of H. V. Duncan; they live at the 
homestead. Two children. Christiana and Alice 
( .. died in infancy. Mrs. Adams died in 1885. 

.Mr. Adams during a long and useful life has 
aeqjiilted himself as an honest man and a goo<l citi- 
zen, and gathered around him hosts of friends. His 
homestead comprises a snug farm of thirty acres on 
section 7, where he has good buildings, and the land 
of which has been brought to a fine state of i-ultiva- 
tion. Here he and his estimable partner lived 
for a pericKl of twenty-two years, enjoying a g<Kidly 
mesisure of life's comforts as the result of years of 
influstry and economy. .Vfter marriage they set- 
tled in Florence Township, and labored witli a 



mutual interest for the building up of a home and 
the proper training and education of their children. 
Their lives were quiet and unobtrusive, but those in 
which they had little to reproach themselves with, 
making it a point through a long and well-ordered 
career to do unto Ihcir neighbors as thev would be 
done by. 

-i^^' 



y^ILLlA.M W. BATES, proprietor of the Bun- 
Oak Acorn and the Burr Oak Bakery and 
^^' Keslanrant, came to this county in the fall 
of 18G2, and located on a tract of land in Slurgis 
Township. Here he operated two years, and then 
removed to Mason Count}-, Mich., where he took 
up a homestead and carried on the improvement 
and cultivation of the land for a period of sixteen 
j'ears. Then returning to .Slurgis, he embarke<I in 
the bakery, grocery and restaurant business, and was 
thus occupied until his removal to Burr Oak, in 
October, 1886. 

Our subject was born in Branlford, C;inada West, 
Dee. 21. 1836, and is the son of Benjamin C. and 
Sarah (Cliapin) Bates, who were natives respect- 
ively of Canada and New York State. They h.ad a 
famil}' of seven children, all of whom lived to ma- 
ture years. About 1840 the family removed to 
Ohio, thence to Indiana, and from there to St. 
Josejih County. .Mich., where the father of our 
sul>ject spent the remainder of his da3's, his death 
occurring in the fall of 1875. The mother is still 
living, making her home in .Slurgis. .Mich. The 
early j-ears of our subject were spent under the pa- 
rental roof, where he became familiar with farm- 
ing pursuits and also .acquired a common-school 
education. In the winter of 1861 he w.as united in 
marriage with .Miss .Sarah K. Thurstyn, at that lime 
a resident of Stnrgis. .Mrs. Bates was born in 1842. 
and is the daughter of George and .Sarah (Jones) 
Thurston, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and 
came West about 1832. Of this union there were 
born four children, namely : Lillian Huntley died 
when two years and eight months old in Slurtjis; 
fJeorge B., engaged in a carriage factory in Kala- 
mazoo; Kilwin P., editor of the Burr t):ik Aoni, 
and Gordon I). G.. a con)[>ositor in the ollice of his 
father. Family dilHcullies resulted in Ihe sep;ira- 



r 



.^1^^ 



■•► 



320 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



W iinti 



tion of our snliji-ct from liis wife in the winter of 
187o, anfl In the winter of 1(^80 lie was married to 
Mrs. Rebecca J. (Morrs) Webster. The first husliaiid 
of Mrs. Bates was a direct descendant of Daniel 
Webster. Our subject left home at the age of 
eighteen 3'ears, and going to Lena. 111., was there 
employed as a clerk in a dry-gooils store seven 
months. Thence he migrated across the Mississippi 
to Osage. Iowa, and had charge of a store there for 
the same length of time. From the Hawke^-e State 
be went into Kansas, and in the vicinity of Manhat- 
tan carried on farming a period of four years. We 
next finil him at Pike's Peak, prospecting for gold, 
but an experience of six weeks satisfied him as to 
this errand, afid he returned to Kansas in the com- 
pany of another young man. crossing the plains on 
horseback. The journey- consumed eighteen d.ays, 
one of which was the 4th of July, and wliich the 
two travelers celebrated in a highly independent 
manner. The}' fired thirteen salutes with their re- 
volvers, and otherwise made the day one of onjoj'- 
ment, as far as [lossible, on the desert ])lains. 

Mr. Bates was in the vicinity of the scene of 
John Brown's operations, and sheltered the old hero 
after he had driven the stJdiers into Ft. .Scott, Mr. 
Brown sleeping in the bunk occupied bj* our sub- 
ject. From Kansas Mr. Bates returned to the home 
of his parents in Indiana, whence he repaired later 
to Canada, and resumed merchandising, having 
charge of a store in the Doniiniou a period of six 
months. Upon the outbreak of the late war he re- 
turned to the farm of his father, while his two 
younger brotliers went into the army. The younger, 
Gordon, lost both eyes in the service, but turned 
his musical talents to good account, and became 
celebrated as a singer and performer on musical 
instruments. lie died at Pcntwater in l,s73. The 
other brother. Charles, was injured by being thrown 
from a load of wood at Murfreesboro, and is now 
living in Iowa, independent of the (Jovernment. 
IMr. Bates on account of failing health proceeded 
to New Mexico, where he staid nine months at 
Socorro, but rctinned no belter in health. In 1.S85 
he took a trip through Kentucky and Tennessee. 

Mr. Bates in his \ounger years identified himself 
with the Ut'pid)lican parly, with which he atliliateil 
until about four years ago, when his warm interest 



in the temperance cause led him to rail}' to the 
support of the Prohibitionists. He was at one |)e- 
riod of his life an active politician, but has deemed 
it the wisest course of late j-ears to remain neutral, 
and in this spirit conducts the Acftrn. He also has 
considerable music talent, and taught singing when 
a youth of sixteen years. Since that time he has 
been a member of the Baptist Church, and has 
served, more or less, as Sunday-school Superin- 
tendent, teacher and chorister. 



^*>- 



->'^:>^:i?Hi!^:5<-'^-^ 



^^ ILAS W. BENNETT. The subject of this 
^^^ sketch is a man prominent and popular in 
li\/\«j his coinniunity. and for the Last fifty ye.-irs 

h.as been farming in an intelligent manner 

on section 33, Nottawa Township. A native of 
l>runswick. N. J., ho was born Feb. 15. 1822. the 
eldest son in a family of nine children, the offspring 
of Kev. Asa and Sallie (Goram) Bennett, who were 
born in Connecticut. The father was of French 
descent, while the mother traces her ancestry to 
England. After their marriage they- settled in 
Brunswick, where the father prcpai-wl himself for 
the ministry, but later they removed to tlielunpire 
State, locating about twelve miles north of the city 
of Albany. 

From Albany the parents of our subject changed 
their residence, first to Lodi, and thence, in the 
spring of 1838. to this county, settling on a farm 
in Nottawa Township. The father here founded 
the Dutch Reformed Church of Centreville, being 
its first pastor, and remained in charge of it for 
several years. He spent most of his life there- 
after in Nottawa Township, although he resided in 
the village one or two years. The parents both 
died on a farm in the township. 

Our subject, when a lad of fourteen years, pre- 
ceded his ]>arents to Jlichig.an. coming to Monroe 
in the fall of 1836. Upon his parents joining him 
some time later, he made his home with them, and 
occupied himself .as a clerk in a dry-goo<ls store. 
His educalion was acquired mostly in the common 
schools, and his occupation, with the exception of 
his two-years clerkship, h.as been farming con- 
tinuouslv. His homestead embraces 150 acres of 



-■► 



ST. ,iosp:pii county. 



:v.' I 



i' 



<r<x(d 1.111(1. with fair improvoments, a comfortable 
house, a jjoofl ham and ori-h.inl. together with other 
fruit and s^hado trees, a fair a.ssortment of live 
stoek, and maoliinery necessary for the successful 
prosecution of his callinji. 

For the last tiiirty-six years our sulijecl ii.as been 
accompanied in the journey of life by a most es- 
timable lady, who in her girlhood was Miss Laura 
M. Tyler, and to whom he w.as married, in Colon 
Township, this county, Oct. 12, 1852. Mrs. Ben- 
nett was born Feb. 23, 1833. in Onondaga County, 
N. v.. and is the daughter of Hev. .lob and Sallie 
(Davis) Tyler, who left the Kmpire State and came 
to the Territory of Michigan in 1836, settling in 
Colon Township when their d.aughter Laura was a 
little child of three years. The father had, prior 
to this, occujiied the pulpii of the First Baptist 
Church in Onondaga County, N. Y., but after 
coming to .Michigan gave his attention mostly to 
farming. In the fall of 1852 he went to California, 
and died on the Island of .San Diego, in July. 1853. 
where his remains were laid to rest. The mother 
remained a resident of Colon Township a number 
of years, and died in the village in April. 1876. 
They had a family of eleven children, of whom 
Mrs. Bennett was the youngest. Eight of these 
are living. They have grown up worthy and use- 
ful citizens, .an honor to their parental training, and 
form valued f.actors of their community. 

.Mr. anil Mrs. Bennett commenced the journey of 
life together in Nottawa Township, this county, 
and have labored with one mutual purpose in the 
building up of their homeste.id and the education 
of their children. Of these there are eight in num- 
ber, six sons and two daughters, namely: Deniont 
T.. DeWItt C., James ('.. -Vsa O., Sherman. Dora, 
Carrie anfl one infant. The eldest son is farming 
in Mecosta County, this .State: DeWitt is prosecut- 
ing agri<'ulture successfully in Colon Township, 
this county; James. Asa. .Sherman and the two 
daughters are at home with their jwrents. 

Mr. IWnnett cast his first Presidential vote for 
Gen. Harrison, in 1«40. and since the organization 
of the Rcpublicjin party has given to it his unquali- 
fied sup|>ort. In the building up t>f one of the 
best homesteads of St. .loscph Coimty. he has thus 
contrilnited his (|Uota Ui its growth and develop- 

4» 



nient. and may properly be numliered among its 
representative men. As an agriculturist he has 
exercised both industry and good judgment, and as 
a business man is |)rompt and reliable, one whose 
word is considered as good as his bond. He has 
served as Road Commissioner in his township, and 
with his estimable wife, is a member in good stand- 
ing of the Methodist FpiscoiKil Church, to which 
they have ever given a liberal sui)port, and are 
numbered among its chief pillars. 




^^ HARLKS AHL(".RIM is one of the prorai- 
;ll „ nent representative Ocnnan-American citi- 






■^S^ zens and farmers of Burr Oak Township. 
He was l>orn in the North of Germany on the 3d 
of May, 1838. and became prosperous as a farmer 
in his native countrj', as prosperit}' goes there. He 
was not rich, but on the other hand, was not suffering. 
He determined to try the New World, an<l accord- 
ingly emigrated to these shores in 1 863. He made his 
home first in Colon. In beginning life here he was 
f.ace to face with the dilliculties incidental to a 
change of country and language, and what was 
equally, if not even more embarrassing, the ditficulty 
of being minus funds. He ln.'gan by working out b}' 
the da}', and as soon as he had saved a little he 
rented a farm, and so gradually climbed the huliler 
round by rounil. 

In 1866 our subject was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary Frost, of Colon. There. have come to 
our subject and wife nine children, whom we men- 
tion as follows: Fred, Charles, Henry. Will. Lena. 
John, Minnie. Frank and .Martha. .Mrs. Christina 
Frost, the mother of Mrs. Ahlgrim, who has reached 
the advanced age of seventy -seven years, makes her 
home with our subject. Besides .Mr. Ahlgrim there 
are two other members of his family in America: 
His bister RachnQl, the widow of Joseph Nenodolf. 
of Burr Oak, and Minnie, the wife of Christ Broker, 
of Leonidas Township. 

Our suliject has taken deep interest in the insti- 
tutions and government of liisadoi)ted country, and 
is a member of the Democratic party. He h.as rep- 
resented his parly in the county conventiims. and 



"^^ 



32; 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



+ 



V 



is recoijiiizefl as an al)lo citizen for such work. He 
is liifil.lv e.stcemcil as a friend and neiglibor. and is 
no«lia|)|iil.v comparatively well off and tlioroujihly 
siiccefsfiil ill his business affairs, owning 120 acres of 
splendid fanning land on section 2 of Burr Oak 
'1 ownship. 

,.... BNER 1)AVI8, deceased. No man stood 
(S^jO liiglier in the estinialiuii of the people of 

ini Burr Oak Township than he of whom we 
(^ submit the following comparatively brief 

record. A native of Onondaga County, N. Y.,born 
in the town of that name, he began life on the 2(ith 
of June, 1815, and was the son of David S. and 
Charlotte (Abbey) Davis, the father a native of 
Washington County, N. Y. The maternal grand- 
father, William Abbey, was a farmer by occupation, 
and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. On the 
other side of the house GrandfatlierDr. John Davis 
was also a native of Washington County. N. Y.,and 
married a lady of Greenwich, Conn. 

The father of our subject was a farmer by occu- 
pation, and the eldest of a family of four sons and 
two daughters. He migrated with his parents to 
Onondaga County, N. Y.. when a lad of fourteen 
years. He and his estimable wife became the par- 
ents of eight sons and two daughters, anti spent their 
last years in Onond.aga County. Their children were 
named respectively: Abner (our subject), Susan, 
William T., George W., Ordelia, Jonathan, John, 
Edson and Edwin (twins), and Frank M. Of these 
five are living. 

The subject of this sketch at an earl^^ age was 
taught those habits of industry and principles of 
honor which have been the secret of his success in 
life. He became familiar with agricultural pursuits 
at an early age, and received a common-school 
education. He made his first trip to Michigan in 
lS3y, at that time purchasing eighty acres of land 
in Ingham County, then returned to MiLford. He 
settled in Burr Oak Township in October, 1868. 
He was married over fifty years ago. on the 2d of 
January, lt<38, to Miss Esther Ann Kay, the wed- 
ding taking place at the home of the bride, in Am- 
ber, Onondaga Co., N. Y., and they became the 
parents of three children. The ehlest, David S., 
<■ 



lives upon and manages the liomestead; J. M. is a 
salesman in the feed store at Grand Rapids; Alice 
is the wife of Fred Worden. a resident of Burr Oak. 
The Davis homestead includes eighty acres of good 
land with comfortable buildings, where the proprie- 
tor ))as'sed his declining years in peace and quiet, 
surrounded b}' the comforts of life, and his d.nys 
made pleasant by the solicitous attention of his 
children and hosts of friends. He w.is a man ob- 
servant of what was going on aroun<l him in the 
world, and one who was fearless in fighting for the 
right. Politicallj-. he was a Republican. Mr. Davis' 
death took place on the loth of November, 1888. 



—^t^t—^ti^ 



"^ifS--^*^^ 



f AMES ENGLE. One of the best conducted 
|i farms in Burr Oak Township belongs to the 



I 

ill subject of this sketch. It comprises 169 
(^^ acres of land lying on section 1, and is pro- 
vided with good buildings and fences, live stock 
and machinery. Mr. Engle came to Michigan in 
the s|)riiig of 1830, during its Territorial days, 
making the entire journey overland on the back of 
a three-vear-okl colt, and consuming one month's 
time, (ienesee County. N. Y., was his starting 
place, and he was a lad of fifteen years at the time, 
lie was accompanied by Benjamin Sherman, an old 
settler of Nottawa Prairie, who is now deceased. 
He has thus mainly grown up with the country, 
watching its progress and development with that 
interest which is felt by every intelligent citizen 
concerning the section of country where lie his 
closest relations in life. 

Our subject was born in Genesee County, N. Y.. 
May 15, 1815, and is the son of Jonathan and 
Elizalx'th (Brunge) Engle, both of whom were 
natives of Peiuisylvania. The f.ither was a farmer 
by occupation, and the parental family consisted of 
nine children, namely: Rachel. William. Jose|)h, 
Margaret, Jonathan, George, Thomas. James and 
Betsey A. Our subject, next to the youngest one 
of the family, is the only one living. The parents 
s|ieiil their last years in this county, and p.issed 
away, the father in 1840, and the mother in 1842. 
Yoimii: Engle after setting foot upon the soil of 
Michigan employed himself at work by the month 



f 



^^^^.^^m^^^^ 

^^\ 



ST. .lOSKPIl COUNTY. 



.■52.5 



until IS."?.!, tlien sc -ured eighty acres of land in 
Burr Oak 'l\)\vn!ilii|), where he ha.-* tiini'e lived. lie 
has ail ills life been familiar with affricultural pur- 
Miit-s. lie w.-xs married. .luly 4, 1M:5«. in Ncttawa 
Township, to Miss Mara:aret, dauijliler of I'hilip 
and Piiehe Vineent. who were formerly of I'amelia 
Township. .Jefferson Co., X. V.. and who emijrraled 
to the Territory of Michigan in 1836. loealing at 
North Centreville, where he engaged in farming. 
The parents spent their Last years in tliis county, 
and in .Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo County. Of this 
marriage there were born seven children, namely: 
.John A. and Rachel, deceased; Amanda, Irsula 
and George, residents of this county: Addie, of 
Illinois; and an infant who died unnamed. The 
wife and mother died Dec. 6. 1881. 

Mr. Kngle on the IGtli of April. 1882, contracted 
a second matrimonial alliance, with Mrs. Truey 
(.McNaughton) Hutlierford, the widow of William 
Huthcrford. of New York, and daughter of Peter 
and Klizabeth (.lemison) McNaughton, the latter 
natives of .Scotland and New York, now deceased. 
This lady was born in 1818 in Caledonia, Living- 
ston Co.. N. Y.. where she spent the first years of 
her life. She acquired an excellent education, 
completing her studiejs at Caledonia, and is a ver^- 
amiable and excellent lady, who enjoys the warm 
friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. The 
Engle homestead in all its appointments indicates 
the industry and intelligence of its proprietor, and 
is one of the most desirable in this region. The 
family arc surrounded by life's comforts, and are 
regarded as vaUied member.s of the communitv. 



_^j.|^^- 




i' 



BNER .1. VAN VOR.sr. proprietor of a 
^"O good farm of 120 acres on section 7. in Hurr 
ii Oak Township, is a native of (ilenville, 
Schenectadj" Co., N. Y.. where his birth 
took place .luly 14. 18;5;1. His parents were Miles 
ami Sarah (Hice) Van Vorsl. n.-ilives of New York, 
and the father a wagon-maker by trade, which he 
followed the greater part of his life very success- 
fully, accumulating a fine property. 

From Glenville the jjarent* of our subject re- 



moved first to Jefferson County, N. Y.. and thence 
to Oswego County, locating near the town of 
Mexico. In 1843 they left the Kmpire State, bring, 
ing with them their nine children, and located in 
Colon Townsliiii. lhi> <iiunty, where they both 
died. 

To Giles and .Sarah \an \'orsl there were born 
eleven children. Thoss accomp.inyina^ their parents 
to Michigan were William II., Miry A., Abraham 
H., Abner .1., Charles C, Augustine D., John J., 
Sarah, Minerva and (ieorge. Those since deceased 
are Mary A. and .VugtHtine. .Sumner died in New 
York State. 

■Our subject left the parental roof at the age of 
seventeen years, and entered the employ of the 
Michigan .Southern Railroad during its construc- 
tion from Klkhart to Janesville. He was finally 
promoted to foreman, and later became baggage- 
m.aster, operating at Coldwater and Hurr Oak until 
August. 18(5.5. He then engaged with the Grand 
Rapids & Indiana Railway. 

In 18.J7 -Mr. Van Vorst engaged in farming on 
rented land in Mendou Township, where he lived 
five years, and thence removed to Nottawa Town- 
ship. eng:iging there also in agriculture until 18(52. 
The late Civil War being then in progress, he en- 
listed in the Gth Michigan Light Artillery, and was 
in the service about out' and one-half years, doing 
rluty mostly in Kentucky, and, although not reg- 
ularly engaged in any battle, frequently met the 
enemy in skirmishes. He escaped wounds and 
capture, but his health was greatl_v affectetl by hard- 
ship and i>rivation. and he was obliged to accept 
his honorable discharge for disability in 1863. He 
now receives a pension from the (iovernment. 

The marriage of Abner J. Van Vorst and Miss 
Elizal)eth White wius celebrated at the home of the 
bride in Burr Oak Township in 1855. Mrs. ^'an V. 
w.as born in Light Street. Columbia Co.. Pa.. J.an. 
10. 1834. and is the daughter of Zebba and Susan- 
nah White, who were natives of Pennsj'lvania, and 
spent their Ixst years in this county. 

Our subject and his wife commenced their wedded 
life in Burr Oak. Their union has been blessed by 
the birth of six children, the eldest of whom, a 
daughter, Lucy, is now the wife of Charles Ward, 
of .Sturgis; Albert, also a resident of that city, is 



h^Jm. 



.#-hL^ 



324 



ST. JOSKIMI COUNTY. 



engaged in farming; Zeaboth, William, (icorge and 
Susanna are at home witli tlreir parents. .Mr. \an 
Vorst operates his land on liie line of general farm- 
ing, and is doing well. 



-t 



t Jti>-»^^»<fW^. * 

ON. NELSON FERRIS, oup of the most 
public-spirited men of this eoiinty, lias built 
up one of its finest homesteads, whieli is lo- 
.jg^ cated on section 15, Mendon Township, and 
invariably attracts the attention of the traveler 
through this portion of .St. Joseph County. Mr. 
Ferris came to this county in April. l.sTs, :u)il has 
since been closely idcntitied wltli Its growth and 
progress. His property embraces 3G0 acres of valu- 
able land, which, wilii its buildings, live stock and 
farm niaeliiner^-, forms one (jf the most attractive 
spots in the landscape of this regicm. He is widely 
and favorably known, and enjoys the confidence of 
hosts of frienfls. 

The subject of this sketch is the offspring of an 
excellent fainily, being the son of Leonard and 
Elizabeth (Ryan) Ferris, the former a native t>f 
Dutchess Ct)unty. N. 1., and the latter of Ireland. 
The mother crossed the Atlantic in her j'onth, and 
after marriage the i)arents settled in Wayne County, 
N. Y., where there were born to them nine chil- 
dren, and where ihey spent the remainder of their 
lives, the father dying about l.s77, and the mother 
about 1872. Five of their children are living, and 
located mostl}' in Michigan. 

Mr. Ferris was born in the town of Mentz, Cay- 
uga Co., N. Y., Nov. 8, 1817, at the modest 
homestead of his parents, removing with them to 
Wayne County when about two years old. When 
sixteen years of age he rejiaired to Seneca Falls, 
and served an apprenticeship at the miller's trade, 
which he followed thereafter a period of twenty-five 
years. Upon leaving Seneca Falls about' 1842, he 
made bis way to Mishawaka, Ind.. where he so- 
joiuiied until April, 1878. The most of the lime 
at this place he was engaged in milling, but also 
had other business interests. In the meantime he 
became quite prominent in politics, and was elected 
SheritT of St. .loscph Count^', Ind., holding theollice 
four years, during which time he acquitted him- 



self in a manner highly satisfactory to the peo|)Ie. 
In the fall of 1866 he was elected on the Repub- 
lican ticket to represent St. .lose])!! County in the 
Indiana Legislature, and during his term of two 
years had the honor of voting for the Fourteenth 
Amendment to the Constitution of the United 
Suites. During his term of (jfiice be was a member 
of the Committee on Claims, also the Committee on 
Prisons and on Appropriations. In 18;')0 he was 
appointed one of the De|)uty Marshals to take the 
United Stales Census of St. Joseph County, Ind. 

Mr. Ferris was married in Seneca Falls, N. Y., 
Jan. 22, 1841, to Miss Sallie Wicks, who was born 
in Panu'lia, Jefferson Counlj", that State, in 1«14. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ferris commenced their weilded life 
in Alloway. W.nyne Co., N. Y.. and of tlieir union 
there were born four children, the eldest of whom, 
a son, .Morton E., die(l in Mishawaka when a 
promising lad of thirteen years; Elizabeth J. is the 
wife of James K. Gore, a resident of Elkhart, Ind.; 
William W. is at Mendon, Mich.; Rowena A. is 
tlif wife of A. L. O^-borue, Jr., and lives in the city 
of LaPorte, Ind. These chihlren have been caie- 
fully educated, and occupj" a position in society in 
keeping with their station and acquirements. 

Our subject voted for "old Tippecanoe" in 1840, 
and for his grandson. Benjamin Harrison, at the 
late election (1888). In view of these circum- 
stances, it is hardly necessary to state thai he is a 
Repiililican "dyed in the wool." He has alw.iys 
signalized himself as a man warmly interested in 
the building up of his couiuumity. and gives both 
his moral and substantial support to those enter- 
prises best calculated to this end. 



^1 OSEPII A. BROOKS. This gentleman is one 
of the leading fanners of this county, and is 
generally known by the n.ame of Allen 
Brooks. He was born in tlie town of \:\n 
Buren. in Onondaga County. N. Y., on the 2.')th of 
December. 18311. He came to Michigan with his 
parents when they migrated hither in 1844, he be- 
ing liut a small lad at the time. His i>arents. Jose|)h 
ami Sarah E. (Allen) Brooks, were of English birth, 
and came to this country- in the jear 1829. They 



w 



■*►■ 



-4^ 



ST. .lOSKPII COUNTY. 



•4^ 



325 




livi'il in llio Sta'o of New York for about scvi-nteon 
\ i-nrs. when' tlif father followed fanning, loi-ating 
lirst in Ononilairn County, wlioro tliev reared nine 
eliildren. .-iix of whom were lioni in the t)ld eountry ; 
tliey then eame to Miehig-.iu in 18-11. 

The mother of our suhjeet died after havini; 
l)een in this et)untry hut a year. .Miout two year.s 
later the father was wedded to .Maria Putnam, who 
died in 18(11. Ijut left no eliildren. The father of 
our suhjeet died on the 7th of -Vpril, 1877. after a 
very brief illness. 

rpon the death of his father our subjeet sue- 
ceeded to the ownership of the homestead of 276 
aeres and the improvements thereon, and continued 
to work the farm. On the 2(ith of .lanuary. 186.j, 
he was married to Pha-be C. Houston, the daughter 
of Hiehard and Klisabeth Houston, of Burr Oak. 
She was born upon the farm of her father in Hurr 
Oak. There have been born of this union three chil- 
dren, two of whom are living, viz: Walton A. was 
born on the 4tli of .lune. 18()(i. and Nora A., born 
on the 18lh of December. 1871. Besides these one 
little daughter. Il.nttie Bell, was born on the I7th 
of .lanuary. 1873. Init died when but eight months 
old. 

The condition of Mr.Hrooks' farm bears testimonj- 
U> his enterprise and business ability, as well as his 
prosperity, lie has just completed, at an exiK?nse 
of upward of i8.000, one of the finest farm dwell- 
ings in the county. Il is built after the most ap- 
prf>ved designs, is spacious, conveniently arranged, 
and supplied with the countless conveniences that 
modern homes demand. It ontains twenty-(mc 
riKims. including three recejition rooms .and a large 
dining-room. The apartments are finished in 
natur.-il wimmIs. oak. cherry and white wood, and are 
(|uite plejusing and effective. The stairciise is quite 
lavish in carvings, well executed, and in excellent 
taste. The carving is from the design of his daugh- 
ter Nora. 

Opposite this beautiful mcKlern residence stands 
the olrl home which wa.« erected by the father in 
1818. While biiihiing this hou.se. which was at 
that time one of the finest in the county, the family 
live<l pione<>r fashion in a little log hou.-ic that was 
standing there when he came; he next built the old 
barn that stands in the rear of the old home, for our 



subject has erected a new. more modern and spfi- 
cious barn, in keeping with the new house. This 
wa.>< i-onijilcteil in the \car 1882. 

Probably no citizen of this county li:is apjilied 
himself to his duties more than has done our sub- 
ject. It has been a story of hard work anil pU'iity 
of it. Acre by acre he has purch.Tscd his property, 
which comprises now 265 aeres. lie is a man 
popidar and much resiwcted. lie is well informed, 
and takes no little interest in (piestions C(jncerning 
matters of political importance, and usually votes 
wilh tlie Democratic party. 



OllN BOTZNKli is a worthy representative 
luerican citizens i>f this 
iwner of eighty acres of 
XS^ arauie, lerme laiiii upon section 27, Burr Oak 
Township. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, on 
the 22d of August. 1827. He did not, leave his 
native eountry until he was twentj'-five yeais of 
age. His education was received in the common 
schools of his native count}', after which he went 
into the shop of his father and learned the butcher 
business. His father had quite an extensive estab- 
lishment, and our subject continued with him for 
twent}' years. For reasons satisfacloiy to himself, 
doubtless, he would not issue to his son the cus- 
tomary certificate of elliciency, and as a consequence 
our subject left his home when twenty years of age. 
He then served three years more at butchering, and 
from the firm received the well-e.'irned paper. 

In 1852, believing that the New World would 
afford him better op|K)rtuiiitie9 for making his way 
in the world. Mr. Botziier emigrated to this country, 
landing at the port of New York. Thence he went 
directly to Buffalo, where he arrived with but ^2.50 
in his pocket, which was required for his hotel bill. 
He was very successful in obtaining employment, 
and for two years continued to work for the sum 
of ^800 per annum. After two years in Buffalo 
our subject came to Marshall, this State, where he 
w(»rked at the well-known Michigan Central Hating 
House for three years. The subsequent three years 
he Worked at his trade. 

When the war broke out our subject was among 



-^^ 



o26 



,t 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



the first to volunteer, and entered the Isl Mich.i- 
gaii. Battery A, wliich was under the command of 
Col. Looiuis. He fought under the olil flag for 
three years in the Arnij' of the Cumberland, and 
saw much service. Among the ensajjemouts in 
which he was an active participant might be men- 
tioned those of Chickamauga, Stone Hiver and Per- 
ryville. He went tlirougli the entire Cumberland 
campaign. At the battle of Chickamauga he re- 
ceived a sabre wound upon the right thumb, that 
for Ihe time gave him considerable trouble. He re- 
ceived an honorable discharge in June, 1864. • 

Leaving the mililarj' service, Mr. Botzner re- 
turned to his adopte<l State, and at Sturgis during 
the next five years built up an extensive butcher 
business, from which he removeil to his present farm 
in the year lh72, and has here resided about fifteen 
years. In 1866 Mr. Botzner was united in marriage 
with Klizabelh Schmidt, a native of Stuigis, and a 
daughter of Conrad and Chrislend Schmidt. She 
has presented her husband with six children, all of 
whom are living, and who bear the following names: 
Edward, Phillipp, Conrad, Addie, John and Erank. 



HARLES J. CLOWES. This pleasant and 
genial gentleman and his estimable wife are 
^^^/ living comfortably together on a well-regu- 
lated homestead on section 6 in Mendon Town- 
ship, where, during the 3-ears of an extended resi- 
dence, they have gathered aroun<l them hosts of 
friends. They have been among the people of a 
community who were liberal and progressive in 
their ide.is, and, as they have p.asse<l along the way- 
side of life, have done good as they have found op- 
portunil}'. In noting the changes occurring during 
their long residence in .Southern Michigan, the}' 
have been vitally interested in its growth and de- 
velopment. As peaceful and law-abiding citi- 
zens, laboring to build up one of the most desira- 
ble homesteads, they have thus contributed to the 
prosperity of their township, and are numbered 
among those to whom it is indebted for its im- 
portance among the intelligent communities of this 
region. 

The father of our subject, Joseph H. Clowes, was 



born in Loudoun County, Va.. and married Mi»s 
Ann E. Dunkin. a native of the same place. In 
1832, leaving the Old Dominion, Ihe.v made their 
way to Southern Michigan, during the Territorial 
days, and for a short time sojourned in Notlawa 
Township. Later they moved to what is now Co- 
lon Township, where the father operated as a tiller 
of the soil, and where his death took i)lace Sept. 17, 
1850. The mother is still living, having survived 
her husband a period of thirt^'-eight years, and re- 
maining a widow. She is now quite .iged. an<l 
makes her home with her son Charles J. 

The parental family included two children only,our 
subject and his sister Ruth. The latter, the elder of 
the two, married Samuel Fisk, and died at her home 
in Vicksburg, in January, 1882. aged about fifty- 
three years; she was born in \'irginia. The native 
place of Charles J. was in the then unimporlaut 
town of .Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo Count}', where he 
first opened his ej'es to the light Oct. 28, 1834. 
His father was for man}' years engaged in the dry- 
goods trade, and Charles J. assisted him in the store 
until his deatli. After that lie turned his attention 
to agricultural pursuits. After the removal of the 
family to this count}- he lived in Colon Township 
until purchasing the farm which he now owns and 
which he has since occupied. 

The Clowes homestead embraces eighty acres of 
good laud, with an excellent set of farm buildings, 
a fair assortment of livestock, the improved ma- 
chinery necessary for carrying on agriculture suc- 
cessfully, and all the other apiiliances of the 
progressive farmer. One of the most important 
events in the life of our subject was his marriage with 
Miss Demelra Potter, which took place at the home of 
the bride in Brady Township, Kalamazoo County, 
March 9, 1862. This lady is the daughter of 
Jeremiah and Nancy (Johnson) Potter, who were 
both natives of New York State. They came to 
Michigan in 1844, settling in Brady Township, 
Kalamazoo County, where the father followed farm- 
ing, and where his death took place .Iidy 7, 1870. 
The mother is still living, having arrived at an ad- 
vanced age, and makes her home with her daughter. 

To the parents of Mrs. Clowes there were born 
eleven children, six sons and five daughters, and she 
was the thinl child. Her native place was in Herkimer 



■» II <• 



ST. JOStPlI COUNTY. 



.■i27 



County, X. Y., wlieit licr birth took place .Inn. 24. 
1.S34. She wiis 11 liltU' <;'''l te" years of nge when 
her |i:iieiit.s caMu- to Michi<;aii. At School she was 
slutlious and attentive, and tlevehiped into a teacher, 
wliich enlling she followed in Kalninnzoo County' 
some time liefore her marriaj;e. Of this nnion there 
has been born one child only, a ilaughter, Carrie, 
in l!S7i); she is now thirteen years of age. 

Hcfore the completion of the Grand Hapids ik 
Indiana Railroad Mr. Clowes was for several years 
Postmaster at I'ark. In 1 S.')'.l he made (piile an 
extended trip to the Kar West, and spent almut one 
year looking over the country' beyond the Mis- 
sissippi. There has been a vast change during the 
period of thirty years which has elapsed, and in 
which the Indians have been compelled to ''move 
on" before the advancing feet of civilization. 
Mr. Clowes witnessed many strange scenes during 
tliat sojourn tm the other side of the Father of 
Waters, which he has alwaj's felt was time well 
spent as a means of gaining useful information. lie 
has always kept himself well posted upon current 
events, and since becoming a voter has supported 
the principles of the Democratic party. 



lEORGE liUYLES. In St. Joseph County 
g— , there is probablj- no citizen who has been 
^15) more active and jiersevering in the develop- 
ment of the district in which he resided, more 
practical or prosperous as an agriculturist, than he 
whose life story is here briefly piescnted in this 
sketch. He is one of its oldest settlers, is a gentle- 
man of wide experience, large intelligence and un- 
failing affability. 

The native place of our subject is Berkeley 
Springs, W. Va., where he was born on the 2'Jth of 
August. 1815. Manj' of the noble points in his 
character, and the sterling qualities that have made 
him what he is as a pioneer, may be clearly traced 
as being hereditary to a certain extent. He is the 
son of William and Amelia (Kagle) Boyles, both 
of wliom also were natives of Morgan County, W. 
\a. The former whs born on the 2d of December, 
17'.i2, and the latter in the year 17'JG. Their union 
dates from the year 1 81 4. and thej' were the par- 



ents of eight children: George, our subject; Luej-. 
who died in childhood; Klizabelh. who became the 
wife of Fitzgerald .lennings. of .Sandusky. Ghio. 
and is now deceased; .Sar.ah. who is the widow of 
Dl. Terrill. of Brecdsville, Midi.; Annie, whu mar- 
ried .lohn A. .1. Metzger. of Bun- Oak. ami is r.ow 
deceaseil ; Henry, now a resilient of California, in 

I the town of Diamond .Springs; Lydia, who was Mrs. 
Daniel Faust, of Branch County, now deceased; and 
Marietta, wife of S. S. SUirt, of Oak I'ark. Cook Co., 

I III. 

'I he parents of our subject, after residing four- 
teen j'eais in Sandusky County, and eleven years in 

! Wayne County. Ohio, came to Burr Oak. where 
they died, the father in September, IHtJO, and his 
wife in June, 1881. Their remains were interred 

I in the Burr Oak Cemetery. The father was a 
scientific farmer, shrewd, careful, frugal and an 
excellent manager. He won and retained the re- 
spect of all his neighbors. 

George Boyles, our subject, in the year 1847 
purchase<l 120 acres of land on section 3.) of Burr 
Oak Township, and the energy and other excellent 
qualities inherited by him enabled him to add at 
various times until his real estate was not less than 
1.000 acres, of which at least one-half was thor- 
oughly improved and cultivated. In addition to 
this he owned valuable property in the village of 
Burr Oak. 

The subject of our sketch has been twice married. 
On the 24th of December. 1835, he was united in 
wedlock with Miss Lucinda Jennings, daughter of 
Gen. Lewis Jennings, who w.is conspicuous in the 
early history of Ohio, and commanded a brigade of 
State Militia, with which be was enabled to do good 
work, especially in the Toledo War. His daughter 
was a lady of education, accomplished, with a 
bright, sunnj- disposition. .She died on the 1st of 
August, 1857. deeply and truly mourned for by 
nil her relatives. .She left ten children to the care 
of her husband, viz: ^Villiam L., born .Sept. 4, 1836; 
Martha, Dec. 17. 1838; Helen L., April 14, 1841; 
Elizabeth, Jan. 7. 1843; Annelta, Nov. 7, 1844; 
George E., Jan. 20, 1847; Adeline L., Jan. 23, 
1849; Franklin H.. June 1 1, 1851 ; Amelia E., April 
4, 1853; Anna. July lit, 1856. The second wifeof 
our subject w.os.Inlia A. Graves, of Genesee County, 



"•► 



4. 



t 



328 



8T. .I08EPH COUNTY. 




N. Y. ;she was Ijoin Deo. 1.5. 1832. .She filed on 
the 13lh of March. 1878. leaving no ciiihlien. 

The siiliject of our sketch retired from active 
business in 1876, and now lives at the Park Hotel, 
which he owns. Until the estiililishnuMit of Ihe Ite- 
|iulilioan party he was a stinch friend of ihc Whig 
element in politics, but joined the foinier part}", 
and has since continued to act with it. although 
never taking a leading part in political movements. 
He is everywhere held in high regard, and has 
alwa3-s been a true friend to the couiinunity, more 
especiall}' in the days of its early history. 

lIDKON .SANBORN, lale a prominent and 
highl}' respected resident of Buri' Oak Town- 
ship, was born in W'rmont in 1 .s08, and de- 
parted this life on the 4th of April, 1871. He was 
recognized throughout this county asan honest man 
and a good citizen, ami during the earlier days of 
its sjrowth and development was prominentl}' iden- 
tified with its agricultural and business interests. 

Mr. Sanborn came to this county in 1833, and 
took up 200 .acres of land in Hurr Oak Township, 
where he built up one of its finest homesteads, and 
became known as one of the most useful members 
of the community. Standing by his side for a 
period of nearly forty years was one of the most 
estimable of women, who in her girlhood was Miss 
Jane Upham, to whom he was marrietl in January, 
1833. Mrs. Sanborn was born May 17, 1815, in 
this county, and is the daughter of Chester Upham. 
who for some years lived on a farm in the vicinity 
of Tyringhani. Berkshire Co.. Mass. Thence the 
family, about 1830, removed to the vicinity of Elba, 
Genesee Co., N. Y., where the father died not long 
afterward. The mother was subsequently married 
to Ira Howe, of that locality, and lliey came to 
Michigan, where Mr. H. engaged in farming. She 
died in 1878, at Charlotte, and her remains were 
taken to Eaton Rapids for interment. 

Gideon Sanborn was one of the pioneer settlers 
of this county, and possessed all the elements of 
mind and character required by the men of those 
times in the <levelopment of the soil and the build- 
ing up of a homestead. He idenlifieil himself thor- 



oughly with the business and agricultural interests 
of this section, and signalized himself as one of its 
most public-spirited men, making for himself a 
record which his posterity raaj' look upon with 
pride. He w.is very successful as an .agriculturist, 
and acquired a fine property, leaving to his widow 
a valuable estate, which she has managed with rare 
good judgment, and in a manner liy which its value 
has been steadil}' augmented. To Mr. and Mrs. 
.Said)orn there were born ten children, the record of 
wIkjih is as follows: Their eldest daughter, Augusta, 
is the wife of A. M. Graham, and Adeline is the 
widow of Charles Newhall; both are residents of 
Burr Oak, and the latter engaged in the millinery 
business. Frank married Miss Abbie Leply. and 
inan.ages the farm; Henry is engaged in farming, 
and lives in this county; Hattie is the wife of Ed- 
ward Kibli}', who is engaged in farming in Burr 
Oak. 

Mrs. Sanliorn is a lady of much intelligence and 
culture, and has watched the growth and develop- 
ment of Southern Michigan with that interest which 
is ever maiiiUiined bj' those who have been most 
instrumental in bringing this great commonwealth 
to its present condition. She. with her husband, re- 
joiced at every evidence of prosperity, and in the 
building up of one of its most desirable estates thus 
contributed their quota to the grand result. 



kEONARD BUTZ. The fine esUvte of the 
subject of this biography comprises 300 
^ acres of highly cultivated land on section 

1;'), in Kawn River Township, with first-class mod- 
ern buildings and all appurtenances of the well- 
regulated rural homestead. It has been built up 
by the hand of industry, and its proprietor is well 
known throughout this section of country as a man 
of liberal eilucation, public-spirited and enter|)ris- 
ing, and one of the most useful members of his 
community. He came to this county in 1 804, and 
while watching its growth and development has 
been no unimportant factor in bringing it to its 
present condition. 

Our subject was born and reared in Columbiana 
County, Ohio, and first opened his eyes to the light 



i 



■<- 



••»* 



ST. JOSEPLI COUNTY. 



329 



Nov. 1, 182S. lie WHS roarofl lo farm pursmls, niid 
cuiiliiiueil there uiiHer the piirenliil roof until a 
youth of iiiiieleeii years. Later he took up his 
residence in Seneea County, same Mate, where he 
was married, and wliere he lived, engaged in agri- 
cultural |)ursuils, until lxG4. His next removal 
was to Southern Michigan, of which he has since 
been a resident. 

The father of our suliject, George Butz, was a 
mason by trade, which he followed during the lat- 
ter years of his life in Columbiana County, Ohio, 
and until his death, which took place in 1H45. The 
wife and mother survived her husband a period of 
forly-one years, remaining a widow, and spent her 
last days at the home of her daughter in Dal- 
las County, Iowa, where her death occurred Oct. 3, 
188G, after she had reached the advanced age of 
ninety years. The househohl circle w.as completed 
by the birth of eleven children, of wlu)ra live are 
living, three sons and two daughters. Four sons 
served in the Union Army during the Rebellion, 
and three of these yielded up their lives in the serv- 
ice of their country while in the army ; the fourth 
died afterward from disease contracted in the serv- 
ice. The survivors are residents m<jstly of this 
county. 

JJr. Hutz, of this sketcii, while a resident of Ohio 
was united in marriage with Jlrs. Ruth A. Nash. 
.Ian. 2. 18.59. Mrs. Hutz was born Dec. 3, 1828. in 
I'l-iiiisylvania, and is the daughter of .lustin .1. 
Nash, a native of Pennsylvania, and who. with liis 
wife, spent Ins List years in that Slate. Of this union 
there were born five children. The eldest, George 
K.. born Feb. 2.t, 18(;1, is n<»w occupied at farming 
in Fawn Uiver; Harry S.. born .March 29. 1803. is 
occupied at farming in Dallas, Polk Co.. Ore. ; Mary 
K.. born .Ian. 4. 18(;."), is the wife <»f Charles K. 
Smith, of Hurr Oak; Frank .1., born Sept. 28, 18Gj. 
learned the miller's trade, and is now occupied at 
this calling in Fawn River; AVilliam F.. born Nov. t>, 
1M7I. is at home, and is engaged in farming. Mrs. 
Ruth A. But/. <lepnrled this life at the homestead in 
Fawn River 'lownship. Feb. 19, 18h0. 

On the I9lh (jf November. 18m2. our subject 
contr.'icteil a .•<econd marriage, with Mi-^s .Martha J., 
daughter of .lohn .Milclnll. of Dall.as. Iowa. 'I'his 
lady was born in Indiana in 1843, and possesses 



those sterling qualities which have constituted 
her a faithful :ind affectionate helpmate, a trusty 
friend and i)eighl)or. well spoken of by all around 
her. The Butz iKjmestead is one of the most at- 
tractive in this part of the county, and the family- 
is widely anil favorabi}' known as belonging to its 
best elements. 

-S^^- 

^/OIIN Dl'NLAP. Fifty-two years ago. before 
Michigan had been admitted into the Union 
as a State, the subject of this sketch made 
''^Ml his way to St. .Jo.seph County, being then a 
young man twenty years of age, antl since that time 
has remained closely identified with its agricultural 
and business interest.*. He is now in the enjoyment 
of a snug i)ro])erty located on .section 11. in Fawn 
River Township, and in his declining j-ears. having 
p.a.ssed beyond threescore and ten. is surrounded 
by the e.ase and comfort which arc justly his due. 
His life has Iteen that of an honest, hard-working 
man. and while laboring as a tiller of the soil, and 
dealing socially and financi.ally with the men around 
him. he h.Ts fully established himself in their es- 
teem and confidence. 

Butler County. Pa., was the early tramping 
ground of our subject, where his birth took place 
April 20. 1810. His father, .lames Dunlap. was of 
Scotch-Irisli ancestry, and emigrated from County 
Derry. Ireland, in early niiniliood. settling in the 
Kevstone State, where lie carried on fanning until 
his death. The mother, whose niaidcii name was 
Dorcas Kilhrith. was born in Pennsylvania, her par- 
ents being annmg the earliest settlers of tluit region. 
She was of Knglish descent. The )i!ircnlal family 
consisted often children: Sarah, the first-born, died 
young, aufl the second, also naiue<I Sarah, ilitil when 
al>ouI sixty years old; William and Dorcas died in 
Butler County. Pa.; Nancy. Mrs. .lohn .Supple, tlied 
in Trundiull County. ( thio; .IauK>s tarried on f.arm- 
ing for a time in Rochester. Ind.. but is now decea.<ed; 
Rebecca was the wife of Nathan OfTutt. and is de- 
<'eased; Klizabeth married S.amuel Davis. an<l they 
locattsl in .Missouri, but are lioth now ilece:i.-ied. 
•lohn of our sketch wx-i tlie youngest child. 

( >ur subject when a youtli of sixtivn years left 
the parental rouf..aud by the death of his father. 



•»-HI^^ 



t 



\ 



330 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



Trliieli occurred the previous year, was thrown ujxjn 
his own resources. He managed to attend the 
district school for a time, and about 1832 emigrated 
to the then little town of AVarren, Trumhull Co., 
Ohio, where he learned the trade of carpenter, which 
he followed thereafter at intervals for a period of 
thirty j-ears. After coming to this State he located 
first in Bronson, Branch County, and subsequently 
erected what was known as Rose Tavern. That 
same season he put up a sawmill, which long ago 
gave place to the present old Greeley mill. 

Mr. Dunlap was uniformly successful in his 
labors, and in his vocation as carpenter handled 
large contracts. From 181-1 to 1850 he was in the 
employ of the Michigan Southern Railroad Com- 
pany, building and sub-coutr.icting for the erection 
of station-houses all along the line. These contracts 
he executed with dispatch and profit. About 1838 
he located on a piece of heavily timbered land in 
Betliel, now Branch County, securing 150 acres. 
By the exercise of untiring industry and the per- 
severance tli.at would admit no such word as fail, 
he cleared ninety acres of this, felling the trees, re- 
moving every stump, and transforming the land 
iftto a fine prnirie farm. 

In the spring of 1863 Mr. ])mihip changed his 
residence to Burr Oak Townshij). locating on the 
present Fogleman farm of 100 acres, to which he 
added the Lancaster i)lace of forty acres. This he 
also brought to a high state of cultivation, residing 
there until 1866. Then selling out once more, he 
purchased the old Arni)l(l place in the village, and 
invested his surplus capital in a stock of groceries, 
l>ecoming successful in trade. His early habits, 
however, would not allow him to be contented in 
town, so after two j-ears he purchased 270 acres of 
choice land from Joseph Annis. of Fawn River 
Township, where he erected a fine brick residence, 
made otiier improvements, and developed one of the 
most valuable homesteads in St. Joseph County. 
Here we have tlu' picture of the model country 
estate, supplied with ever3-thing suggested to the 
gentleman of taste and means, and one who en- 
deavors to surround his family with all the com- 
forts !ind man3' of the luxuries of life. 

Mr. Dunlap. in 1837. w.as married to Miss Mary 
Smith, of Bronson Township, the ceremony being 



performed by Esquire Tisdell. Mrs. Dunlap is the 
dauglit<;r of David ami Elsie (Williams) Smith, 
who were natives of New York, the father a school 
teacher by profession, a thoroughly educated man 
and astronomical lecturer. He was of New En- 
gland stock, and during his earlj" life resided for a 
time in Syracuse. N. Y. Upon coming to Michi- 
gan the parents settled in Branch County. The 
maternal grandfather of Mrs. Dunlap, Maj. AVill- 
iams. was Captain of a company of troops during 
the Hevolutionary War. a brave and efficient oflicer. 
To David Smith and his estimable wife there were 
born five children, two sons and three daughters, 
who were quite 3'oung when the parents came to 
Michigan, but are now all deceased. Mr. and !Mrs. 
Smith are both deceased. The record of the chil- 
dren born to our subject and his wife is as follows: 
John, the eldest, died when an interesting little Lid 
six years of age; Elsie married ilr. Frank Abbott, 
a liveryman of Lagrange County, Ind.; ilary is 
the wife of B. F. Bordner. of Fawn River Town- 
ship, this county; Delia died at the age of six years. 
The mother of these children p.ossed away on the 
24th of January, 1888. 

Mr. Dunlap votes the straight Republican ticket 
but b.ns ste.idily declined becoming an oltice-lioldcr. 
although often solicited to do so, with the exception 
of serving as Township Supervisor some years ago. 
John F. Abbott, the son of his daughter Elsie, and 
a very promising young man, has been educated by 
his grandfather, and now holds the post of Assistant 
Professor of .Suj'gery for the Michig.an Central 
Railro.nd. He was graduated from the medical 
department of the Michigan State University in the 
class of '87. and is now twenty-six years of age. 

^ AY , I. STAN TON. a prominent attorney in 
the village of Burr Oak. established himself 
in business here in December, 1880. He 
was admitted to the bar a few months pre- 
vious to this time, and two years later to practice 
in the Supreme Court of the State. In 1884 he was 
admitted to practice in the United States Court at 
Grand Rapids. Mich. He was gradu.ated from tiie 
Burr Oak High School in 1874. and from theStur- 

■ > 



ST. .IO.SEPH COUNTY. 



••^ 



331 



\ 



•jis Hisrli School in 1S7S. Ili- eiitiTeil (lie law fle- 
partiiu-nt of the Mii'liigan StnU- rnivcrsiiy in 1X79, 
but on ac'i'oiint of ill-lu'altii wasoliliiri")! to aliandon 
liis stiulii'S tliero. and ^pent the year foilowint; in 
the office of I). H. Thomas, a leadinj;- lawyer of 
Sturtris. Thence he came to Hurr Oak, wlicre lie 
has liy close attention to liusiness secured a lucra- 
tive practice, and is in every respect a popular 
citizen. He is an extensive rea<lcr, and keeps him- 
self well posted u|)OU the matters relatinir to his 
profession, and all others of interest to the intelli- 
gent member of society. 

The subject of tliis sketch, a native of the town 
in which he still resides, was born .Ian. 7, 18.58. 
His parents, Le and Libby ( Kezartee) Stanton, 
were natives of Ashtabula t'ounty, Ohio, and of 
English and Scotch origin. His grandparents on 
both sides of the house settled at an e.arly day in 
Ashtabula County. ( )hio, where they fn-came owners 
of large tracts of ImihI. which they Improved into 
valuable estates. The parents of our subject emi- 
grated to .Michigan in 1K,')7. settling in Ihirr Oak 
Township, where the father successfully engaged in 
farming until his dcatli. in 187'.l. The only child 
of the f.Minily was our subject, .l.tv .1. I,e Stanton 
was a man of more than ordinary capabilities, a 
]iriiinincnt Iic|iublican in the politics of his ado|>ted 
township, and servetl as Justice of the I'eace and 
School Insjiectoi-. The mother is still living. 

Our subject was married, at Sturgis. this State, 
to Mi.xs Hattie I)., daughter of Is.a.ac and Kliz.a 
(Dudley) .Vyres. They were natives of New .Jer- 
sey and New York respectively. .Mud tiie father a 
minister of the Methodist Kpiscojal Church. l)e- 
longing to the Northern Indiana Conference, until 
their removal to .Sturgis. where he was engaged in 
nuMcantile business until his death, in 1H7I. He 
was also a prominent Mason. Their family con- 
sisted of two children only — Mrs. Stanton and 
Charles I). Mrs. Hattie .Stanton was born Sept. "ifi. 
18.'>;i. in Angola, Ind. She is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. He was Township Clerk for 
a |H-riiMl of live years, ileclined serving the next 
two years, but was re-elected in 1888, and is the 
present incumbent of the ollice. 

.Mr. Stanton for four years was a member ."ind 
Treasurer of the licpublicau County Committee, 



and has ever been a cheerful worker in behalf of 
the principles in which he h.ns the nu)St sincere 
faith. He owns a farm of eighty acres half a 
mile west from the corp<u-ati limits of Hurr Oak, 
also a farm in .\shl:ibul:i ( ounty. Ohio. His neat 
and tiusteful residence is located on Fifth street in 
Hurr 0:ik. opposite the park, and he lua.-; other 
property interests. 

Mr. Stanton w.-is in 1888 the nominee of the Re- 
publican (larty for Circuit Court Commissioner of 
this county, and was elected over Oershom 1*. Doan, 
of Mcndon. the I)cnU)cr;ilic and Orcen back nominee 
for that ollice. He is actively engage<l in the per- 
formance of the duties of that office. 



<^^»^- 



4^ 



<«*«- 




\i. IIINC 



;i;. 



main i)nints in the 



|i history of this solid citizen of Rurr Oak 
Village are substantially as follows: He 
was born in (J recce Township. Monroe Co., 
N. ^'.. Nov. 2. 1.S2.'). and lived there until a man 
twenty-six years of age. Thence migrating to Ohio 
he sojourned in the Scioto \'allev a period of live 
yejirs. employing himself a greater part of the time 
in a sawmill. \l the expiration of this time, de- 
siring to sch; something of the farther West, he 
made his way to Southern Michigan, and coming 
Into this county settled upon a tract of lan<l in 
15urr Oak Township, of which he has since been an 
honored and respected resident. 

Mr. Hincher. however. h;id visited the Wolverine 
.State in the spring of 1818. prospecting, and spcnil- 
ing a brief time with his brother .lohn. who had 
prccc<lcd him to this region. He at that time made 
up his mind that here he could content himself to 
stay and build up a future home. While a resi- 
dent of New York he was unitctl in marriage with 
Mi.-^s Mary Dewey, the wedding being celebrated 
at the home of the bride on the 24th of September. 
1X.">1. 'This lady w,is the daughter of Hon. .loscph 
and .Mariah Dewey, the father un ex-member of 
the Legislature, and at one time an Associate Judge 
of the County Court. Prior to his election to 
oflice he had carried on farming successfully in 
New York. He is now retired from active life, and 



■*►■ 



* 



•t^f^ 



332 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



lives in a pleasant home at Chureliville. N. Y., sur- 
rounded by all the comforts of life. 

Our subject and his estimable wife began the 
journey of life togetiier in 18.')1. They have six 
ciiildren living: The eldest daughter, Electa M., 
is the wife of Elmore Cole,s, wlio is engaged in 
farming in Burr Oak; Rosaline. Mrs. Thomas 
Bastian, is a resident of Duffield, Genesee County, 
this State; Frank died at tiie age of twenty-seven 
3-ears, in .Tune, 1888; llettie. .Myrtle. Loe and Otis 
are at home with their parents, although M\-rtle is 
usually engaged in teaching. Mr. llincher. politi- 
cally-. Is a sound Democrat, and ha.< been the can- 
didate of his party for various offices, but the 
Democracy being in the minority, he suffered the 
fate of the balance of his ticket. He is a man of 
ripe judgment, excellent principles, and more tlian 
ordinary capabilities, and a citizen in whom is 
placed tlie utmost confidence. 



4 



^ J^ILLIAM II. WELLS owns and occupies a 
\/\//l *""r^ homestead on section 2 in Burr Oak 
W^ Township, where to a great extent he has 
carried out the theory of Horace Greeley. '• that a 
small acreage well tilled is more desirable than a 
large area of land partially neglected." His 13- 
acre farm is consequently brought to a high state 
of cidtivatioii and he has good improvements, in- 
eluding the neccssar}- buildings and a cider mill, 
which he operates profitablj' both for himself and 
his neighbors. 

Our subject, essentially an Ohio man, was born 
in Seneca Counlj'. that .State, .Ian. 3, 1840, at the 
modest homestead of his p;u'cnts in Thompson 
Township. Ilis father, William Wells, was a far- 
mer bj' occupation, and a native of Bellefontaine, 
Pa., and married in early n)anhoo(l Miss Susan Bar- 
ger. The parents settled among the pioneers of 
Seneca County, Ohio, where they lived until 1860, 
and then came to this county. The father died at 
the home of his son W. II., in Burr Oak, .Sept. 24, 
1888. when over seventy -seven years of age, hav- 
ing been born in May. IHil. The mother is still 
living. 

Four sons of the parental famil}- served as sol- 



diers in the late Civil War. The eldest, Benjamin 
F., is now a brick manufacturer of Scott City, Kan. 
One daughter died when iwentj' j-ears of age. 
Benjamin F., in 18C1, enlisted as a Union soldier 
at Three Rivers, in the 1 Itli Michigan Infantry, 
which was under command of Col. Stoughton, but 
organized under Col. Ma\-, of White Pigeon. Their 
duties lay mostly with the Army of the Cumberland. 
Benjamin F. was in active service, escaped wounds 
and capture, and at the expiration of his term of 
enlistment received his honorable discharge. He 
was all through the Georgia pampaign, his regi- 
ment being most of the time with the 23d Army 
Corps. 

Our sulpjcct, following the example of his broth- 
ers, also entered the ranks, becoming a member of 
Company F, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, in which 
he rendered a faitliful service of three years. He 
also went with his regiment through the Georgia 
campaign, and |iarticipated in many of the important 
l)attles of the war, including the siege of Atlanta 
and the battle of Nashville. He also wijs fortunate, 
receiving on\y a wound bj' the accidental discharge 
of a pistol, on account of which he draws a pension. 
After a faithful service of three 3-ears he was given 
his honorable discharge near the close of the war, 
on the I4lli of January. 18G.5, at Nashville. Tenn. 
His brother George belonged to the lO.'id Ohio 
Infantry, and. less fortunate than the others, fell a 
victim to the rebel atrocities of Libl)y Prison, be- 
ing captured and conlineil in that terrible stockade, 
where he was de()rived of his shoes, and where his 
feet were frozen, rendering him a cripple for life. 
He also is a pensioner, and is now living on his 
farm near Pulaski, Williams Co., Ohio. Jacob 
Wells, the other brother, also enlisteil in the I03d 
Ohio Infantry-, and, at the battle of Beverh', W. 
Va., was wounded in the small of the b.ack, and re- 
ceived an honorable discharge tifter a service of 
three j'ears. He also draws a jjension, and is a 
resident of Illinois. 

Our subject, after returning from the army, took 
up his residence in this county, and in the fall of 
1867 was united in marriage with Miss Esther E. 
Ware, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and was 
born April 22. 1840. Mrs. Wells is the daughter 
of Phillip and Esther A. (Gracel}') Ware, who were 

•► 




^^ 4|^^^^ 



t/^/5^n 







sr. JOSKPII COUNTY. 



335 



natives of Lelii<;li Cmiiity. Pa., and emigrated to 
Miclii'^aii aljout 1800, the father taking up a tract 
of land in Colon Township, this county, where he 
lftl)ored until his death. The niollior is also <le- 
ceii-sed. 

To our sulijcot and liis estimable wife there have 
been horn ten I'liijilri'n — .Milton A.. Wilson, Eilwin. 
Rose, Matilda, Malinda, Ksther A., Susan. .Marinda 
and Clinton, the latter of whom is deceased, 



>,ILLIAM KKITERMAN, Ph. D., is a gen- 
tleman of thorough education, greateulture. 
^sfi and in many respei^ts possesses more than 
ordinary ntiility. He occupies a pleasant home in 
Burr Oak 'I'ownsliip, and has been a resident of this 
county since March 1, l.sdO. 

A native of the Prussian Province of Branden- 
burg, our subject was born May 22, \X3'J. and 
there spent the early years of his life, until a youth 
of seventeen, acquiring a thorough common-school 
education. He was a bright and ambitious lad, 
and, not being satisfied with his prospects in his 
own countr3'. determined to emigrate to America, 
Embarking at the port of Bremen, he crossed the 
Atlantic unaccompanied by any friend or acquaint- 
ance, l.inding in New York City penniless. His 
most pressing business was to secure emploj'nient, 
and his first <lay's work was on a railroad, but with 
this employment he was not at all pleased. The 
next day he sought for something more congenial 
to his taiites. and finally engaged with n farmer, 
John Schneider, who lived near Carlisle, in .Scho- 
harie County, N, Y., and with whom he remained 
one and one-half years. He was very careful and 
economical in his expenditures, and kept steadily 
in view his determination to secure a good edu- 
cation. In due lime he became a student of Har- 
wick .Seminar}-, near Cooperstown, Otsego Count}', 
ami upon leaving this entered Geneva College^ 
where he took a classical course, and from which he 
was graduated in the phiss of '57. Our subject 
now commenced teaching at .Sand Lake Collegiate 
Institute, in the vicinity of Troy, N. Y. He had 



married Mi^s Sarah E. Whitcimn, of East Spriiig- 
tield. N. Y., Oct. 15, 1«57. with whom he moved 
to Findlay, Ohio, where he lost his companion, who 
left a daughter. .Sarah Eliztibeth, four weeks old. 
llor grandparents, Mr. and .Mrs. Thomas Wiiiteinan, 
of East .Springfield, took her, and with them she 
is still living. Prof. Ueilerman remained five ye;irs 
at Findlay, and spent the following two 3'ears at 
Toledo. He came to this county in the spring of 
lH(j6. Prof. Reiterman, on the 1st of November, 
1859. was united in marriage with Miss .Mary E., 
daughter of .Josiah and Sarah (llouser) Moorehead, 
the wedding taking place at the home of the bride 
in FindKa}-, Ohio. The parents of Mrs. Reiterman 
were natives of Penns3^1vania, and the father car- 
ried (ju harness-making in Findlay, (Jhio. He had 
during his early manhood learned the trade of sad- 
dler, which he follcjwed until 1874. The parents 
spent their last years in Bentcjn Ridge, Ohio. 

.Mrs. Reiterman was born May 22, 1843, in 
Findlay, Ohio, and received a common-school edu- 
cation, remaining under the parental roof until her 
marriage. The Professor and his wife began their 
wedded life together at Findlaj', where thej' lived 
until 1864, when they removed to Toledo. Their 
union htis been blessed by the birth of six children, 
the record of whom is as follows: Henrietta S. was 
born Oct. 4, 1860, and is now the wife of P'rank 
Brown, a farmer of Champaign, III.; Gertrude was 
born Nov. 1, 1862, and married Willis Appleman, 
who is engaged in farming at Turke}' Creek. Ind. ; 
.losiah was born Oct. 7, 1864, and is manager of a 
hardware store at (irand Rapids; Julia, born Feb. 
6. 1867. died at the home of her parents in .Sturgis, 
May 4, 1870; Isabella, born July 8, 1872, and 
Frances, Oct, 20, 1883. are at home with their 
parents. 

Prof. Reiterman, in the year 1878, invested a 
portion of his surplus capital in land, and now owns 
a fine farm of 220 acres on section 5 in Burr Oak 
Township. He identified himself with the Pres- 
byterian Church in 1870. in which he is an Ehler, 
and has at times occupied the pulpit of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church. He is a gentleman 
of fine tistes. and possesses considerable talent as 
an artist. It is a real pleasure to meet a refined 
gentleman like Prof. Reiterman, and the biographer 






4. 



336 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



especiall}- ■enj03-crl tlie hour spent ■with liim. His por- 
trait graces an acccnipanyiiig pfge, and will be 
welcomed bj' his many friends throughout the 
county. 



rv*'-../v~* 



4 



-^ca/isi©.'^^— ^^jw* 



OWARD HOPKINS, a veteran of over 
l' eighty years of age. and a resident of this 
count}- since the summer of 1845. was one 
of the earliest pioneers of Jlichlgan Terri- 
tory, to which he came in KS36. He was a resident 
of "Washington County for the first ten years after 
his arrival here, and has made of agriculture a life- 
long pursuit. He is now located on section 3 in 
Mendon Township. 

Abner Hopkins, the father of our subject, was a 
native of Hliode Island, and married Miss Caroline 
Auu'S. who was born in Massachusetts. After mar- 
ri.ige the parents settled in Otsego County. N. Y., 
and from there moved to Seneca County, where the 
mother dieil. Abner Hopkins after the death of 
his wife came to W.ishtenaw Count}'. Mich., where 
his death took place about 1844. The parental 
househohl consisteil of eight children, three of 
whom are still living. 

Our subject was llic sixth child of his parents, 
and was born in Burlington, Otsego Co., N. Y., 
May 2(«. 1808. He came to Southern Michig.in, 
and in December, 1845. purchased 101 .acres of 
land in Mendon Town.'hip. Of this he has now 
seventy-two acres, upon which he has erected good 
buildings, planted fruit trees, and gathered about 
him. as years passed by, the comforts and conveni- 
ences of rural life. 

Mr. Hopkins was first married in Wayne County, 
N. Y., to MissDamaris Tripp, who became the 
mother of three children, and died at the homestead 
in Mendon Township. March 11, 1854. Their 
eldest daughter. Martha, is now the wife of J. W. 
Brown, of Wichita. Kan.; Clarissa married George 
W. Wing, and lives in xMendon; Sarah, Mrs. C. E. 
Wolcott, makes her home in Vieksburg. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married April 8, 1857, was formerly Mrs. Martha 
Tryon, widow of Henry Tryon, and daughter of 
Alson and Aluiiia Wing. Mr. and Mrs. Wing came 



to Mendon Township from Sturgis about 1848. and 
here spent the remainder of their days, the father 
departing hence in 1873, and the mother in the 
year 1880. Mrs. Martha Hopkins was bt)rn in 
Washtenaw County, this State, April 8, 1838. Of 
her first marriage there was born one child, a daugh- 
ter. Henrietta, who is now the wife of Charles Hop- 
kins, of Owosso. Of her union with our subject 
there have been born seven children, namely: Eli- 
nor, the wife of Franklin Clark, of Vernon; Caro- 
line. Belle, Berenice, Howard A., Harrj- A. au(\ 
Lillias. The latter died Aug. 6, 1877, when ten 
years old. 

Mr. Hopkins altemled the first Republican mass 
meeting held in the State of Michigan, and from 
this is indicated his political principles, he having 
been a stanch Iie|)ublican since the organization of 
the party. As one of the honored pioneei-s of St. 
Joseph County, he is accorded that tacit reverence 
and respect involuntarily given to those whose ex- 
perience has been so long and varied, and whose 
career has been one uniforndy useful and honor- 
able. Mrs. Hojjkins is a very estimable lady, look- 
ing well to the ways of her household, and making 
her home one of the plcasantest to be found within 
the precincts of St. Joseph County. 




^•■ 



ANSOM CU.VW, of Florence Township, was 
born on. the homestead which he now owns 
and occupies. Jan. 30, 1843. This property 
^^his father secured at an early day, when the 
country around was in its primitive condition, and 
the settlers few and far between. It is pleasantly 
located on section 6, and by the exercise of years 
of industry and a wise investment of fun<ls has been 
brought to a valuable and proiluctive condition. 

Our subject is the son of Marshall Craw, a na- 
tive of New York State, who emigrated to Michi- 
gan when a young man, while it was a Territory, 
settling in St. Joseph County as early as 1833. At 
that date he secured the tract of land which has 
since been in the family, and where he spent the re- 
mainder of his life. Here he labored for a j)eriod 
of twenty-two years, passing away on the 15th of 
April, 1853, at the age of fifty-five. He was 



f 



.ST. .lO^KPil COUNTY. 



337 



marriert in Wayne County-. N. Y.. to Miss Mnry 
Ann Sloan. (l.Tii;j;litor <jf Roliert .Sloan, a native 
of the same .State. Of this union there were born 
four children, two of whom, Hiram and Mary, died 
in infanc3\ The otiiers were Plxflte, and Unnsom, 
our sulijeet. The former was the wife of Richjird 
Weatherliee, and died Feb. 2U, 1877. Mr. an<1 Mrs. 
W. became the parents of two children, Maj- and 
George. Mrs. Wealherbce died in Mendon, this 
county, in 1877. 

The mother of our subject dierl Dec. 30. 1847, 
and Marshall Craw was married a second time in 
F'lorence, in 18-1!). to Miss Kunice Weatherbee, who 
was born in Kinffsbury. N. Y., Nov. 2, 1801, and 
is still living, making her home with her stepson 
Ransom. 

Our subject acquired his education in the com- 
mon schools mostly, but completed his studies in 
the graded school of Three Rivers. Aside from 
this he spent his boyhood and youth after the 
manner of most farmers' sons, being trained to 
habits of industry, and becoming familiar with the 
various employments of farm life. After reaching 
man's estate, he was married, in Fabius Town- 
ship, this county, Dec. 16, 18G3, to Miss Mary L. 
Weatherbee, who. like her husband. Is a native of 
this county, and was born April 21, 1844. They 
are the parents of six children, all of whom arc 
living, namely : Mary D.. Henry, Frank. Marshall, 
John and Carlos. Mary I), was born Jan. 1, 1865; 
Henry. .Sept. 23, ISfifi; Frank, April 13, 1868; Mar- 
shall, Nov. 4. 186'J; John, Aug. 31, 187,i. and 
Carlos, May 28, 1881. Mr. Craw cast his first Presi- 
dential Vote for Abraham Lincoln, and uniformly 
supports Ihe principles of the Republican party. He 
is a member of the Miisonic fraternity at Three 
Rivers. 



>► m ^ 



I^^TKPHKN .M. N.A.SII occupies a foremost 
^^^ place among the thrifty and intelligent 
(jl/ji) agriculturists of this section of Michigan. 
He lives on his highly improved farm lo- 
cated on section 17, in Mottville Township. It is 
one of the most valuable and highly improverl 
tracts of land in the county. He wa.« born in Stark 
County. Ohio. Jan. 26. 1823. His father. Sampson 



C. Nash, was born in Jlaryland, Jan. 1, 1789. lie 
was a farmer, ami when bis time w.as not occupied 
on the farm he followed the occupation of a carpen- 
ter. His niotlier wa.s Lovina Allert(m. She and 
the father of our subject were married in Stark 
County, Ohio, in 1819, and lived in Ohio until, in 
the spring of 1843, they moved to Elkhart County, 
Ind. During the residence of the family here the 
f.ither w.os killed in a railway accident. Jan. 24, 1853. 

Our subject is one of a family of six children, 
named as follows: John P.. born in Ohio, Sept. 4, 
1820; .Stephen, our subject; Aaron, born Oct. 7, 
1827; Ira, Aug. 21, 1830; George. March 9. 1833; 
William, Aug. 31, 1837, and Amos. The mother is 
deceased. Amos was a soldier in tlie I'nion Array 
during the Rebellion, and died May 10, 1862, of 
camp fever; Willi.Tm was also a soldier, and died 
Feb. 10, 1863, from eara|) fever; John lives in 
Monroeville. Ind., and is a minister in the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church; Aaron lives in .Mt. Ayr, 
Ringgold Co., Iowa, where he is a carpenter; George 
lives in ilinneapolis. Minn. In bis earlier life he 
learned the tr.idc of a carpenter; he is now travel- 
ing for a wholesale house in that city. 

The subject of this sketch began life as a poor 
boy. He did not have wealth or jmsition to aid 
him. and he relied solely- upon his own efforts to 
attain success, and he has made his life what he 
started out to do, both in the sense of accumulating 
wealth and property, and in doing good to those 
about him. He found no royal road to fortune, 
nor was it a pathway strewn with flowers, but the 
commanding position which he now holds was 
reached by the way of a rough and tedious road, 
every step of which presented obstacles. Hy his 
will and perseverance he overcame them all. and 
now we find him one of the most wealthy and 
highly respected men of the time.-*. 

The first wife of our subject was Caroline Voor- 
heis. to whom he was married April 21. 1853. She 
was bom Aug. 7. 1826. and died March 27, 1882. 
aged fifty-seven years. .She was the mother of one 
child, a daughter, who is now the wife of John W. 
Baxter, to whom she was married Oct. 10, 1877. 
Mr. Nash was again married, April 15, 1884, the 
lady of his choice being Caroline Eliza Wright. 
She is of .Scotch and English descent, and is a 



■» ■ ^» 



» ► ir^ 



33« 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



wortliy member of the Church of the Di-^cijiles. 
He is an active member of this church, having; held 
the office of Elder and other imjKjrtant positions in 
the society. Tlie first wife was also a member of 
this church. 

The farm occupied bj' the subject of this sketch 
is one of the finest located and highest improved in 
the county. His residence is large and room}-, of a 
modern design, is handsomelj- furnished through- 
out, and many of the latest improved conveniences 
intended to contribute to the welfare and comfort 
of its inmates are found within its walls. The 
building is located in the midst of a beautiful lawn, 
and is surrc>unded Ijy trees and flowers, and the 
barns and other outhouses are of tlie most substan- 
tial character, erected with a view to care for the 
stock and handle the crops raised on the farm eco- 
nomically, and to the best .id vantage. The success 
that has accompanied his efforts has been but little 
short of phenomenal, and his life may be taken as a 
copy by the youth of the present da^-. which, if 
adopted and zealously followed in all its details, 
cannot fail in crowning their eflforts with unlx)unded 
success. This gentleman has served as Justice of 
the Peace for many years, but is not in that office 
now, having declined a re-election. He has served 
as Chairman for the Board of Supervisors of the 
county for several terms. He is a man having 
great force of character and per.^onal influence over 
all with whom he becomes .issociated. 

^ .^.^ v~ 



ft_-^ARVEY K. FIELD. In the incidents due 
to the labor of compiling a biographical 
work such as this, there are none which af- 
■Si^) ford to the writer anj- greater pleasure than 
to meet and converse with the large number of 
old settlers of the country, and among the greater 
number of such, residing in .'^t. Joseph Count}-, we 
have found none that were better informed on all 
matters of history pertaining to the early days than 
the subject of this sketch. He is now living in the 
village of Mottville. having retired from the active 
life of a farmer, which he followed for many years. 
This gentleman was born in Ontario County. 
iS. Y.. in lb2C. His boyhood da^-s were passed on 



the farm, as was also the major portion of his life, 
up to the time of his retirement. He received but 
a limited education in the district schools. He 
never attended any college, but he possessed a 
natural studious habit, and he was a close observer 
of men and events, and by the constant exercise of 
these two traits he has attained a practical knowl- 
edge that has served him to a good purpose. In 
1845 he first came to Mottville, where he lived 
until 1849, when he, with man}' others, was at- 
tacked with the gold fever, and went to California 
in that year. There he remained for nearly two 
years, when he returned to Michigan in 1851, and 
purchased a tract of 203 acres of land located in 
Cass County. It was partially improved at the 
time of purchase, and is now one of the best im- 
proved farms in the county. It was his home until 
he retired and removed to Mottville Village. 

Mr. Eield is the son of Darius F"ield. The father 
w.is born Aug 12. 1702. in Vermont. The mother 
was Saloma (Clark) Field. .She was born Jan. 5. 
1797, in Vermont. The parents were married in 
Vermont, Nov. 22, 1815. About a year after their 
marri.age they moved to New York, settling in 
Prattsburg, Steuben County, where they lived until 
1845, when they moved to St. Joseph County. 
Mich., and settled in Constantine Township. The 
father purchased a farm in Ciiss County, which he 
held for a numl)er of yeare. He sold this farm, and 
moved into Mottville Village, where he resided 
until Feb. 1(5, 1874, on whi'^^h d.iy he died. The 
mother died July 2. 1864, in the village of .Mott- 
ville. Both parents were members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church ; the father held many different 
offices in the church, and his entire life was exem- 
plary in all respects. 

A large family of children were born to the par- 
ents of our subject, and were named as follows : 
Rhoda A.. Diana, Lavinia, Desdemona, Hermione, 
Darius. Saloma, Adeline. Caroline, Chester A., Mar- 
tin D. and Emory G. Rhoda A. w.as born in Pratts- 
burg, N. Y.,Feb. 14, 181 7, and was the wife of Orris 
Briggs; both husband and wife are dead. She was 
the mother of eight children, five of whom arc liv- 
ing, four in Michigan and one in Iowa. Diana 
was born in Steuben County, N. Y., June 6, 1819, 
aud died when quite young; Lavinia was born 



■♦- 



ST. .lOSEPH COUNTY. 



•*^ 



.•^3!) 



Mnrcli 20. 1821, in Steuben County, and is now 
living in Motlville Villiige, llie widow of Thomas 
Hums; Des'ieniona and llorniionc are twin sisters, 
liorn Dec. 31, 1828. Ilermionc is the wife of Jo- 
seph Parker, and resides in Ontario County, N. Y., 
and is the mother of five children, two i^irls and 
three boys. Desdemona is the wife of Nathan Hess, 
to whom she was married .Ian. 1, 1845; thej' re- 
side near Jackson, .Mich. Her sister Hermioneand 
her husband were married on the .same day. Da- 
rius W. was born in Steuben Comity, N. Y.. April 
26, 1831, in the town of Cohocton : he was mar- 
ried in December. 1852, to .Sarah Ray. He is now 
a farmer, living near Kalamazoo, the father of two 
boys and one girl. Saloraa is the wife of Ilollis H. 
Tyler, to whom she was united in marriage April 
2G. 1831. in Cohocton. N. Y. ; she now resides in 
Naples. Ontjirio Co., N. Y., and is tlie mother of 
three children. Her two daughters are married, 
and reside in Montana; her son is on the old home- 
stead. Adeline and Caroline were also twins; Ade- 
line died Dec. 2.i, I 841, aged ten years; Caroline lives 
in Nebrajika with her husband. CIn'istopher Woolga- 
niood, where he is a prosperous farmer. .She is the 
mother of four children, one of whom is dead. 
Chester A. is married to Rosa Braginton; they 
were married Oct. 27, 1858. and have two sons and 
two daughlers. He is a farmer and merchant, re- 
siding in Russell County, Kan. Martin D. died 
April 4. 183'.(, in New York StJite; Kmory G. mar- 
ried Klizabelh Braginton, Sept. 7, 18(il, in .Sturgis. 
Mich.; they lived in Mottville until 1883. when 
the}- moveil to Fairmont, Neb., where he died 
on Thanksgiving Da}', 1885. He was the father of 
four children, one son and three daughters, all liv- 
ing in the West. 

The subject of this sketch and his g<io(l wife are 
the |)arents of four children, three of whom are 
dead. Their daughter, Klla 1^., is the wife of Ro- 
dolph Klett, an<l resides on the home farm with her 
husband, near the village of Mottville. ,She is the 
mother of one child, a son. Mr. Field is a strong 
Prohibitionist, and has a conscientious belief that 
the time is not far distant when the saloon will be 
dis|)ensed with, and the liquor element, which forms 
such an im|>ortant factor in the political questions 
of the day, will become a thing of the past. Both 



himself and wife are members of the Methodist 
Kpiscopal Church in Mottville Village, conscien- 
tious and sincere in their religious belief. They are 
both generous and large-hearted, and lake an act- 
ive part in all matters pertaining to the spiritual 
and material welfare of their neighborhood. They 
are very sociable in their disposition, and the vis- 
itor to their home is made doubly welcome. Mr. 
Field h.as been Sunday-school Superintendent for 
the last twent3--five 3'ears. He is a man who has, 
and merits, the highest opinion of his fellowmen. 
In the family of our subject's father there were Ave 
pairs of twins. 




TKPIIEN \y. GILKISON is one of the in- 
dustrious, frugal and successful agricultur- 
ists of Burr Oak Township, and is worthy 
a place in an Ai.bim of this description. 
He is a native of Mansfield. Richland Co., Ohio, 
where he was born on the 12th of June, 1843. His 
father. George C was the son of James Gilkison, a 
native of Kentuck}-. and a pioneer of that county. 
He was fully established in business as a mason, to 
which he was succeeded by his son, the father of 
our subject. Besides George he w.as the father of 
twelve children, of whom four daughters are now 
living. 

George C. Gilkison, the father of our subject, 
came to Michigan and located at Centreville in the 
year 1844, remaining there about twelve months. 
Thence he removed to Klkhart County, Ind., where 
he remained for about two j-ears. and then went to 
dingers Lake. After that he came to Sherman in 
this county, finally locating in Burr Oak, in the 
year 18G6. The maiden name of his wife and faith- 
ful life companion was Mary Kcasey. who bore him 
nine children, of whom our subject was the fourth 
born. 

The subject of our sketch is a man of character, 
wide information, and with large ability as a far- 
mer, a faithful and true friend as well .as citizen. 
In the spring of 18C4 he enlisted in defense of the 
Union, becoming a member of Company G, 11th 
Michigan Infantry, and served almost two years. 
During that time he saw many of the larger and 



* 



-4•■ 



:U0 



^ii^Hh^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



more important engagements, besirlos other service. 
Among till.' hatlles in wliicli lie fought may lie 
named those of l\'aelitree Creek, Resaca. Atlanta 
au<l others. He came out of the military service 
nnseathcrl, excepting as his constitution had been 
strained h^- exi)osiire and camp life. He recciveil 
an honorable discharge in IbG.i at Nashville. Tenn. 

On the 10th of April, isTO, Mr. Gilkison and 
Priscilla Freed were united in marriage at Burr 
Oak. The wife of our subject is a daughter of 
J()hn and Priscilla Freed. Jt was her niisfortune to 
lose her father by death when she was about three 
years of age. Her mother subsequently removed to 
Ohio, and later married Mr. .lames C. HIanchard.of 
Burr Oak. one of the venerable and much respected 
pioneers of this county. Our subject's marriage 
has been blessed b}' the birth of ten children, 
whose names are as follows: Salalhiel S., Zavala V., 
George I{., Leston T., Claiion M., Amej'. Nina L., 
Joy L., Slierman Blaine and Mary Gertru<le. 

Our subject, although not a leader in political 
affairs, is alwa^'s glad to bear his full part anil re- 
sponsibility as a citizen and as a member of the 
Bepublican J)art3', with which he has worked and 
voted for many years. 



JOIIX 1\. (JKNTZLEK occupies a prominent 
place among the young farmers of Florence 
Township, and his farm on section 31 is 
classed as one of the most valuable in this 
locality. He is a son of Adam and I.ydia A. (Leh- 
mer) Gentzler, natives of Pennsylvania; his father 
was born in 1827 and his mother in 18'28. In 1851 
Mr. (ientzler settled up his affairs in I'cnnsylvania, 
having resolved to make his residence for the future 
in the State of Michigan, and in due time he located 
in St. Joseph County, where he soon became identi- 
fied with its growing agricultural interests, purchas- 
ing land in Park Township, which he improved 
into a good farm. Although he was not among the 
first settlers of the township, he found that it had 
not advanced very far from the primitive con- 
dition of its early d,ays, and well did he perform 
his I'art in the pioneer labors of clearing the land 
and developing its rich agricultural resources. He 
-.4« 



is, politically, a Democrat, and is a member of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church and now resides in 
.St. Joseph County, The good mother of our sub- 
ject died Aug. 18, 1885, having rounded out a 
useful and busy life of fifty-seven years. She was 
also a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 
To her .ind her husband were born five children. 
two sons and three daughters. 

John R. Gentzler. of this biographical sketch, was 
the third child of these worthy people, and w.ns 
born in Pennsylvania, April 19. 1853. Consequentlj- 
he w.is scarcely a year old when his ]iarents came 
to St. Joseph County to live, and his boyhood days 
were passed at his father's homestead in Park Town- 
ship. His education was conducted in the schools 
of Constantiue. where he stood well in scholarship. 
After leaving school he entered upon his life work 
as a farmer, and for seven j-ears managed his 
father's farm with gratifying success. At the ex- 
piration of that time he purchased his present farm 
in Florence Townshi]). and has since labored assidu- 
ously to bring about its present high state of im- 
provement. It comprises 160 acres of as fine farming 
Kind .IS is to be found in .St. .Joseph County, is 
supplied with a good set of buildings, and every- 
thing about the place denotes thrift iind careful 
management on the part of the owner. He is a 
skillful and practical farmer, employing the best and 
most approved methods both in cultivating his 
land and in raising stock, to which he also pays 
much attention. 

Mr. Gentzler has the hearty co-operation of a 
good wife in his work, and to her encour.igement 
and assistance he gratefully acknowledges that he 
is much indelited for his success in life. They were 
married at Constantiue. Dec. l-l. 187(5. Mrs. (ientz- 
ler was formerly Miss Catherine Miller, daughter 
of George and Susanna (Walters) Miller, natives 
respectively of A'irginia .ind Ohio. She was herself 
born in Ohio, Nov. 24. 1859. and of her union with 
our subject three sons have been bom. namely: 
Fred W.. born Sept. 13. 1881; Charies K.. Nov. 17. 
1883; Clare A.. Sept. 19. 1887. 

Mr. and Mrs. tJentzler have a jjleasant home, and 
they often extend it*: charming hospitalities to their 
numerous friends. They are active members of the 
Luther.in Church at Constantiue. and their daily 



:!t^ 



I 



-<•- 



ST. .lOSKFlI rOUNTY. 



•■► 



341 



lives indicate that they are guided bv tlie highest 
priiK'ipk's of eondiict. Jlr. flent/.ler exerts a good 
inlhieiu'e in tlie ooramunity. as lie is liberal and 
puhlic spirited, and cheerfully <loes all that lie can 
to advance the various sclicnics for tiie inii^rove- 
ment of the township. Politically, lie is an ardent 
DennHTal. 



<3= 



7-^ 



=&- 



ON. WILLIAM MORRIS, of Burr Oak 
' Tosvnship, is the son of William P. and 
^ Nellie Morris, and was born in the county 
of Surrey, England, on the •24tli of Septem- 
ber, 1804. He W.1S brought up on a farm. He was 
educated in the High Schools, has a good Knglish 
education, and is a clear, intelligent student of the 
various questions that are before the people from 
time to time. 

In 1823 the parents of our subject, willi their six 
chddren, came to Americ.iand located in New York 
City. Of these six children only two are now liv- 
ing, viz.. our subject and his sister Elizabeth, who 
is a maiden lady and resides at Oakland, Md. By 
occupation Mr. Morris, Jr., is a farmer. This he fol- 
lowed upon coming to the New World. They lived 
on Siurgis Prairie until the spring of 1852, and 
from there they removed U> Burr Oak an<l settled 
upon the present farm. Various positions of pub- 
lic trust an<l honor have been tilled by Mr. Mor- 
ris since he came to St. Joseph County. He was 
elected Justice of the Peace in 1842 and continued 
in the office several years. He was Postmaster at 
Sturgis from 184o to 1857, and in 1847 was chosen 
by the Democratic party to represent his district in 
the State Legislature. After coming to Burr Oak 
he served for four years as a Justice, and for two 
terms, viz., 1853 and 1854, he was .Supervisor of 
Burr Oak Township. 

The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was Nellie Cliappell, who was born in England. 
There were given to her six chihlren. whose names 
are recorded as follows : Elizabeth ; William, the sub- 
ject of our sketch ; Mary, Anne. Frances and Emilj'. 

Our subject and Miss Marcia .St. John, of Catta- 
raugus County. N. Y.. were married on the 30lh of 
December, 1840. There have been born to them 



thirteen chiMren, of whom nine are still living, 
viz.: Ellen, who was born on the Kith of Octo- 
ber, 1842. who is at home; Albert, born .Ian. 24, 
1847, aixl lives in iMigland ; Freil, born on the 
.■50th of August, 183i>. of Fre<lericksburg. Tex.; 
Charles, born .lune 14, 1853, of Fredericksburg, 
Tex.; Frances, born Dec. 8, 1855; Elizabeth, born 
Jan. 17. 1858; George, born June 9, 1860; Gilbert, 
born Aug. 23. 18(;;{; Clayton, born on the 22d f>f 
March. l8Gt;. 

The Imme of our subject is upon his highly cul- 
tivateil property of 700 acres situated one and one- 
half miles west of Burr Oak Village. This he has 
brought to its splenilid condition by his assiduous 
care and constant effort. He is a man well-to-do, 
and his home, which is very pleasantly situated, 
presents in its interior arrangements the true refuge 
that home is designed to be. Politically, our sub- 
ject is a Democrat, and it is safe to say there are 
few, if any, in the large circle of his acquaintances 
who do not thoroughl}- esteem him and his family. 



-MM~ 




V. CORNELL, of Burr Oak, came to this 
point in 1888. He had previously for a 
period of three yeiirs been engaged .is a 
hotel-keeper in the city of Coldwater. He 
had also been on the Pacific .Slope, at Diamond 
.Springs, fort3'-five miles from San Francisco, Cal. 
Our subject was born in Niagara County, N. Y., 
March 14, 1827, and is the son of Daniel and Anna 
(Smith) Cornell, natives respectivel}' of New York 
and Canada. They came to Michigan in 1834, set- 
tling in Lenawee County, where the father carried 
on farming two years in Raisin Townsliip. Thence 
he removed to the vicinity of Coldwater, where he 
followed agriculture until his death, which occurred 
March 14, 1872. During his early manhood he had 
been eng.aged in mercantile pursuits. The mother 
passed away one month before the decease of her 
husband. The parental family included nine chil- 
dren, all of whom lived to mature years, and four 
are now living, residing mostly in Branch County, 
Mich. 

The educational advantages of Mr. Cornell were 

extreinelv meager during lii- iliililhnud and vnitli, 

'. ■ ■► 



i 




h Ti i ^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



he ridt l)eing able to write his name until after 
reai-liin;,^ lii.s niajoiily. Suljfeqnently lie attended 
sc'IkkjI, studying arilhmclie and geography and tak- 
ing lessons in writing until he obtained a good 
knowledge of the eouimon branehes. He had been 
trained to habits of industry and eeonomy. and 
there liad been irni)lante<l within him those elejuents 
of charaeter which enabled him to enter upon the 
struggle of life with maul}' courage and resolution. 
At the age of twenty-three he consi<lered himself 
justified in the establishment of a home of his own, 
and was married, in l^i'jO, to Miss Cordelia Uarnes, 
of Girard Township, Branch County, this State. 
This lady was born in Michigan, and was the daugh- 
ter of (.'lianc}' and Eliza Barnes, n.atives of Vermont, 
the father a l)lacksmith by trade and also a farmer. 
Of this union there were born three chikhen, all 
living. Alfred B. married Miss Mary Rooney.who 
was born July 4, 1861 ; they have one child, Paul B.. 
born Oct. 22, 18!S2. This son is proprietor of the liv- 
ery, sale and feed stable in Burr Oak. Za was born 
in California, married Mr. C. I. Miles, of Coldwater, 
who is now a merchant of McAllister, Ind. 'ler. ; 
Frederick AV. is a traveling musician, at present in 
Illinois. Mrs. Cordelia Cornell, the mother of these 
children, departed this life at her home, April 25, 
1M72. 

On the 2(;th of Maich, 1873, our subject was 
married the second time, to Mrs. Kate P. (Parker) 
Sutton, daughter of Hiram and Sallie (Crockey) 
Parker, who were natives of Canada and New York. 
The former is still living, but the latter died Aug. 
11,1 H54. Mrs. Cornell is a well-educated lady, and 
taught for a period of ten years in the Higli School 
at Burr Oak, and other schools in this vicinity. Her 
culture and refinement are fully lecognized in the 
social circles of her community, where she is a gen- 
eral favorite. 

Mr. Cornell for a period of thirteen years was 
connected with the music store of C. J. Whitney, 
of Detrt)it, commanding a salary of ^1 10 per month. 
During his residence in Branch County he otliciated 
as Constable, and is at present Justice of the Peace 
and n)einber of the Town Board. He takes an act- 
ive part in political affairs, and is a stanch supporter 
of Democratic principles. A man of good judg- 
ment and sound sense, he commands respect in the 
4« 



social ard business circles of his town, numbering 
amonir his acquaintances hosts of friends. He iden- 
tified himself with the Masonic fraternilj- aliout 
1872, and is a member in good standing of the 
lodge at Burr Oak. As one of the pioneers of St. 
Joseph County, he has been permitted to note tlie 
wonderful transformation of the wilderness to a 
civilized community, and during the early days en- 
dured in common with the jjeople about him the 
toils and sacrifices incident to life in a new settle- 
ment. He has chopped wood for thirty-one and 
one-fourth cents a cord, at a time when money was 
scarce and people were glad to obtain sufficient 
to keep them in food and clothing. Many times 
for days together he lived entirely on "Johnuy 
cake," and was thankful to get that. Now. in the 
enjoyment of a comfortalile home and competence, 
he is receiving but that which is due him as one 
who has labored faithfully and conscientiously, and 
built up for himself the lecord of an honest man 
and good citizen. 



,.^ ARY (GOODGER) BRAGINTON. The 
// iV roll which carries the names of the many de- 
voted wives, fond mothers, and true Chris- 
tian women, so widely scattered throughout 
this broad domain, holds none that casts a brighter 
light or awakens deeper feelings of respect than 
that of the lady whose name heads this sketch. She 
is the widow of William Braginton. who was born 
in England. She is also a native of England, where 
in 1828 she and her husband were married. After 
this event they remained in England for several 
years, where the husband worked at his trade, which 
was that of a carpenter. They had heard so much 
regarding the possibilities of the New World, and 
the opportunities which it presented, and which 
coidd not be realize<l in their home countr)% that 
they determined to try the truth of the reports for 
themselves. 

In pursuance of this resolution, our subject with 
her husband crossed the ocean, and settled first in 
AVestehester County, N. Y., whence they moved to 
Philadel|)hia, Pa., where they resided several yeare. 
They then moved to Ohio, making their home near 




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^i^h-^ 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



343 1 ' 



Akron, where tliey resided for fjuirteen j'ears. when 
lliey nii;j;r:itt'<l lo C'mss Comity. Mich., iind pur- ' 
uhiiseil 11 f.nrin, .iikI tiifro iiveil until they moved ^ 
into the vill;i<;e of .Mottville; Ihej- lived iiere until ] 
the litisbiUKl'!! deulli. whieh oceurred Feb. 12. 1876, 
and here our suhjeet still resiiles. 

Mrs. Hr.nginton is the mother of twelve children, 
eight of wluini are living, niinicly : Miiry A., Kd- 
wiinl. Willi.im 15., Rosalie, Martha, Klizahelh, John 
and Stephen. Mary is the wife of Albert Conwaj', 
a prosperous machinist; she is the mother of five 
children, four sons and one daughter. Kdwin is 
married and lives near Crown Point, Ind.. where 
he is engaged in farming; he is the father of three 
children, two sons and one daughter. William H. 
lives in Dunklin County, Mo., is married, and the 
father of three sons and three daughters; Rosalie is 
the wife of Chester Field, a prosperous farmer liv- 
ing in Russell County, Kan., and is the mother of 
two sons and two daughters; Martha is the wife of 
George Brown, anil resides in Red Oak, Iowa, and 
is the mother of two childreji; Klizaheth was the 
wife of Emory Field; her husband died on Thanks- 
giving Day, 1884. He was by occupation a com- 
mercial traveler. John marrieil Frances Knox, and 
they live in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he is in 
business as a real-estate dealer; he is the father of 
one (laughter. Stephen married Sarah Leiand, and 
lived in Grand Rapids, where he was eng.iged in a 
factory; he is now dead, and left a family of four 
children. George was a soldier in the Civil War, 
and was killed in 1864, during the siege of Nash- 
ville, Tenn.; he was a valiant soldier, and among 
the thousands of brave men none were more coura- 
geous than he. 

Mrs. Hniginton is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and enrleavors by her daily walk 
and conversation to bear witness to the mercy an<I 
goodness of the Lord. She is in deed and in fact 
one of those good old mothers in Israel, who have 
done so much, and have sufiFered so greatly, that 
the cause of Christ might (]ouri^ih. .She devotes all 
her time and labor to the extent of her somewhat 
limited strength to furthering the cause of religion, 
and there are none more happ^' than she when the 
heart of any erring one finds rest and peace in 
•lesus. .She is well advanced in years, and enjoys 



i' 



the perfect confidence and esteem of evei'yone with 
whom she comes in contact. Iler life is rounded 
out with the fulness of the love of God and her fel- 
low creatures, and now, in the evening of her life, 
she has the blessed consciousness that she has faith- 
fully performed her duty in the Master's vineyard, 
and is patiently awaiting the messenger that will 
call her hence to a better and everlasting life. 



-<:)= 



^OIIN.I. STKARS is a line representative of 
the agricultural community of St. Joseph 
County, as he brings to his labors an intelli- 
gent, well-trained mind, and is in every re- 
si)ecta thorough, business-like, sj-stematic, practical 
farmer, as is clearly shown by the a|)pea ranee of his 
farm on section "iit, Florence Township, with its 
broad, carefully tilled acres, its neat, well-appointed 
buildings, and the fine stock gr.nzing in the fields. 
Mr. Stears is a son of the honored pioneer citi- 
zen, Mr. Thomas Stears, and he is a native of this 
townshii). M.iy it. 1852, being the date of his birth. 
He spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, 
and doubtless assisted in its cultivation when not 
attending the public school, where he obtained the 
preliminaries of his education. He was a bright. 
apt scholar, and being ambitious to .secure a higher 
education, became a student at Hillsdale College in 
18(j'.>, spending a year very profitably in the literary 
department of that excellent institution of learning. 
In the winter of 1871-72 he took another course in 
that college, this time in the comineicial depart- 
ment. After leaving college Mr. Stears chose 
farming as his life vocation, and by the (piiet force 
of persistent efforts, directed by sound discretion 
and constant devotion to duty, he has met with 
marked success, and already has his farm of 100 
acres well improvwl. He is engage<l in mixed 
farming, and has some finely graded stock, to the 
raising of which he j)ays much attentiim. though 
not to the neglect of his grain fields, where he 
reaps abundant harvests. 

To the lady who presides over his lumie. and 
makes it plea.-ant and attractive to his family and 
their many friends. Mr. Stears was united in mar- 



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344 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



riagc Feb. 16. 1882. A son and a daugliter have 
blessed tlieir union: Bessie, born Oct. 28, 1883, 
and Ilarrv. born Aug. 6, 1885. Mrs. Stears wjis 
born in Wasliington County, Pa., Dec-. 18. 18.59, 
and eame to Florence Township in 1881. Her 
maiden name w.is Emma A. Greenlee. Mr. Stears 
had l)een j)reviously married. Miss .Mattie K. (ilaze, 
of Northumberland County, Pa., becoming his wife 
Oct. 24. 1878. After a brief and happy wedded 
life she passed away at Florence, Feb. 7, 1880. 

Mr. Stears is a man of clear, vigorous intellect 
and of unirai)eachal)lc integrity, and his fine busi- 
ness education well fits him for tlie civic offices 
that have been entrusted to him. He has long been 
connected witli the management of the schools of liis 
township, and ha.-; been Seliool Inspector for seven 
years. lie is now Township Clerii, which office he 
iias filled to tiie satisfaction of iiis fellow-citizens 
for five 3-ears. He and his wife are greatly re- 
spected by all wild have llic plcasine of knowing 
them, and they are valued members of the Reformed 
Churcli at Constant inc. 



<* ftlLLIAM H. ROYS. The agricultural inler- 
\/iJi/ **^* '^^ Constantine and vicinity have l)een 
^/% admiralil}' represente<l by the subject of 
lliis sketcii, who is a scion of stanch New England 
stock, and came to the West during the early years 
of his life. The offspring of a good family, he is 
the son of Lent Roys, a native of Sheffield, Berk- 
shire Co., JIass., and born in 177.5. He was reared 
to farming pursuits, but upon approaching man- 
hood repaired to the town and 1p:uium1 the trade of 
a tanner, which he followed in .Slu'llield a number 
of years, carrying on the business for himself. In 
1830, however, he resumed farming in Sheffield 
Township. He was married there in 1800 to Miss 
Mary, daughter of Lewis Holmes, a native of Pl}'- 
mouth, Mass.. and her parents were of old Puritan 
stock. She removed with her father to Sheflleld 
in her girlhood, and there spent her List years, d^-- 
ing at the age of sixty-seven. Lent Roj'ssurvived 
his wife a number of years, and passed aw.ay at the 
home of his daughter, Elizix Angevine, in Dutchess 
County, N. Y., at the age of ninety-four years. 



The ])arental family of our subject consisted of 
twelve children, seven sons anil five daughters, all 
of whom lived until upward of thirt}'-six j'ears — 
a remarkable circumstance. Of this large family 
only three are now living: Norman, of Florence, 
this county; William II., our subject, and Eliza 
Angevine. William H. was born in Sheffield, 
Berkshire Co., Mass., July 12, 1823, and spent his 
boyhood and youth at the old homestead, becom- 
ing familiar with the various employments of farm 
life. In 1844. at the age of twentj'-one years, he 
started out for himself, and was employeil as a 
farm laborer by the month for six years following. 
In 1849 he crossed the plains to California and en- 
gaged in mining in Tuolumne County until 1853. 
In the fall of that year he returned eastward as far 
as this county on a visit to his btother Norman, 
with whom he remained until the spring following. 

Mr. Roys being pleased with the outlook in this 
section of country, concluded to make it his future 
abiding-place, and accordingly purchased of his 
brother Norman 175 acres of land on section 18, in 
Florence Township. He gave his entire attention 
to this for a number of \'e,Trs thereafter, bringing 
the soil to a gooil state of cultivation, and erecting 
modern and substantial buildings. Later he added 
to his landed estate until he was the owner of 262 
acres. He has now one of the best regulated farms 
in this region, and is considered a man well-to-do, 
capable and ellicient in the transaction of business, 
and a skillful agriculturist. 

On the 4th of October, 1854, Mr. Roys was mar- 
ried, at Lyons, W.ayne Co., N. Y'., to Miss Eliza, 
daugliter of Harvey and Angeline (Roys) Gcer. 
Mr. Geer was born in Connecticut, March 16, 1802, 
and is still living, making his home with his son-in- 
law, our subject. The mother was a native of Shef- 
field, Mass.; she was born in 1806, and died at the 
home of her daughter Eliza, at the age of seventy- 
four. Their family consisted of ten children, eight 
of whom are living: Levi R. is at Grand Island, 
Cal.; Henry resiiles at Upper Lake. Cal. ; Everard 
resides in Grundy Centre, Iowa; Albert, at Union 
City; Harvey resides in Berr}- County. Mich.; 
Selesta Follett resides in this .State, and Ella .1. 
Dimick in Florida. 

Mr. Roys shortly after his marriage brought his 



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4. 



ST. .lOSKPEI COUNTY. 



345 



liride to his now home in the West, and thej' linve 
since resifled in Fhirence Township. Tiie hoiise- 
liold circle w.is cmnpletert iiy the liirlli «if tiiree 
cliiidren. sill of whom me livinfr. Cl.irn, the chh-st, 
was horn in I 85.T. and is the wife of Henry C. Drake, 
wlio is carrvinw on fnrmin? and gardening in the 
vicinity of C'onstantinc; Mahel was born March 1, 
1861, and continues at home witii her parents; 
Emma was liorn April 16, 1S7I, and is also at 
home. Mrs. Drake took kindly to her hooks in her 
girlhood da3-s. and was graduated from the graded 
school at Con><tanline. The paternal great-graml- 
fatlicr of Mrs. Roys was a soldier of llie Hevolii- 
tionnry War, and spent his last years near Lyons, 
N. Y. 



f 



i~ 



fOUN C. KINNK. The form of this highly 
esteemed resident of Leonidas Township 
has liccn a familiar figure among the people 
of St. .Io.seph County for a period of over 
fifty years. lie lirst trod the soil of Michigan soon 
after it was tr.ansformed from a Territory into a 
State, and is thus entitled to he ranked among its 
early pioneers. lie has lieen steadfa-stly loyal to 
the section of country adopted at that time as his 
home, having here spent the best years of his life, 
beginning his labors upon the soil of this region 
when a youth of seventeen years. Since that time 
he has remaine<l continuously identified with the 
best interests of St. Joseph County. 

Life began with John C. Kinne at the modest 
homestead of his i)arents near the little town of 
Na|>les. in Ontario County, X. Y.. Jan. H\. 1820. 
He is the offspring of an excellent f.amily, being 
the third child of Cajjt. Eli.as B. and Martha 
(Clark) Kinne, the former born in I'atridgctield, 
Mass., Dec. 31, 1788, and the latter in Naples, On- 
tario Co.. N. Y., April 14, ITStfi. The parents after 
marriage lived for a time in the latter place, V)ut 
in 1837 left the Empire State, resolved to cast their 
lot among the pioneers of .Southern Michigan. 
Comini; to this (•f)unty, the father .secured a tract 
of land in Leonidas Township, where he lived and 
labored the remainder of his life. He closed his 
eyes u|Hin the scenes of earth in 1841>. In the War 
of 1812 he served as Captain of nu inde])endent 



company, with which rank he wa.s mustered out, 
and retained the title until his death. A quiet and 
unobtrusive man, conscientious and of the strictest 
integrity, he performeil creditably all life's duties, 

' and shed a srood influence upcm those around him. 
He never sought oflice, but was content in support- 
ing by his vote the principles of the Democratic 
party. 

[ To Capt. Elias H. and Martha Kinne there were 

1 born twelve children, six sons and six daughters. 
.\11 of these were reared to mature years except one, 
and made homes for them.selves. Seven now survive. 

I .bjlin C. witi a youth of seventeen when he .iccom- 
panied his parents to this county, and still continues 
his residence on the old homestead, which was in- 
augurated by his honored father and which, it is 
hardly necessary to say, possesses for him a far 
more than moneyed value. The original area has 
been extended, and the farm now emliraces 200 broad 
acres, with the buildings and machinery necessary 
for the successful jirosecution of agriculture. The 
first humble dwelling w.as al)andoned in 1873. and 
replaced by our subject with a nn>dern residence, 
substantially built and most cf)nveniently arranged. 
Ever\thing about the premises indicates comfort 
and prosperity, and the whole forms a delightful 
))icture of country life pleasing to contemplate. 
Mr. Kinne has liecn quite jirominent in the affairs 
of his community, holding the ottices of Township 
Treasurer and Ilighw-iv Commissioner, and filling 
other i)ositions of trust and responsibility. He is 
an adherent of the Democratic party. He is con- 
nected with the Ma.sonic fraternity, being a charter 
member of Blue L<Hlge and Colon Chapter, and a 
prominent light among the brethren. He and his 
excellent wife are also memltersof Leonidas Grange 
No. 266, V. of II. 

Miss Serena Van Vleet, a native of Ridgeway. 
Lenawee County', this State, became the wife of our 
subject April 10.1870. Mrs. Kinne is the daughter 
of Peter and .\biah (Miller) \an Vleet, who were 
natives of the .State of .M.ossachu.^etts. and moved 
to Lenawee County, Mich., during an early period 
in its history. Thence they changed their resi- 
dence later to Hillsdale County, where the father 
followe<l agriculture until his tleath, which occurred 
at his home in Adams Township. The motlier 



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346 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



subsequenth- took up licr abode in Litchfield Town- 
ship, where she passed the remainder of her life. 
Mrs. Kinne was born April 12. 1840. and her ear- 
liest recollections are of tlie pioneer lionic in l^cna- 
wee County, where her parents battled willi the 
difficulties of life in a new settlement, and reared 
their children amid the disadvantajfes incident to 
that lime an<l place. .Mrs. K. acquired a eoinmon- 
school education, and remained under the home roof 
until her marriaije. Of iier union with our subject 
tliere were l)orn tlirce cliildreu. of wliom only one 
is livinu;. Ivlith May. who is now at home. The 
decea.-;ed dauijhter. .Martha .V.. died when an inter- 
esting- child twelve years of age. and an infant. 
Mr. and Mrs. Kinne number their friends by the 
score anionsj the people of this part of St. Joseph 
County, where they have erected one of its most 
desiral)le homesteads, and fulfilled tlicir obliirations 
to the community as worthy and conscientious 
citizens, 

«i : D — ^-^%r-^ — i : * 

^^HOMAS STEARS, a pioneer of St. Joseph 
ijfn^^ County, is one of the influential and leading 
^^Jf' citizens of Florence Township, with whose 
agricultural interests he has been identified for 
many years. Although he is of foreign birth, he 
has been a loyal citizen of the United .States for 
fiftj'-three 5'ears, coming here before he had at- 
tained his majority, and he was a resident of this 
State when it was admitted into theUiiion in 1837, 
when, under its constitution, all foreigners became 
citizens without naturalization; and it has been his 
privilege to watch the development and growth of 
Michigan from an insignificant Territory in the 
wilderness to one of the grandest and most power- 
ful commonwealths in the Union. And not onlj' 
that, l)ul he has contributed to its material pros- 
perity. 

Our subject is the son of Thomas Stears, whose 
name is held in honor as that of one of the early set- 
tlers of .St. Joseph County. The father was born in 
Yorkshire. England, in 177.'), and was married there 
to Miss Elizabeth Harrison, a native of Waxholme, 
that shire, and there reared a family of twelve chil- 
dren. In 1835, with this large family. Mr. Stears 
emigrated to the United Slates, and located in 



White Pigeon, this county. In P^ngland lie had 
served at the grocer's trade, but after coming to 
Michigan he turned his attention to farming, and 
took up 120 acres of land in Florence Township, 
thus becoming one of its pioneers. He was a very 
industrious, hard-woiking man, and accumulated 
considerable property during his life. He improved 
a fine farm, and added twent\' acres to its original 
dimensions. He died Ma}' 25, 1862, at Cenlreville, 
in this count}', at the ripe old age of eighty-seven 
years. He was deservedly respected and esteemed, 
as in all of the relations of life he had shown himself 
to be upright and honorable. His estimable wife, 
who was likewise greatly respected, died at Whit* 
Pigeon, Sept. 5, 1871. Of their large family of 
children six are still living, as follows: Thomas, the 
subject of this sketch; John resides in Waterloo, 
U)wa; Betsy married William Hull, of Three Rivers; 
Isabel married Richard Holcom, of Three Rivers; 
Ann married Mr. Burchell, who is now dead, and 
she lives in Cass County, Mo.; Charles lives in St. 
Paul, Minn. 

Thomas .Stears, of our sketch, was born Jan. 6, 
1816, in Yorkshire, England, and there he was 
reared and educated. In 1835 he accompanied his 
father to America, and iii the following year com- 
menced life for himself by working a farm on shares 
with an uncle, continuing thus for a year, and mak- 
ing his home with that relative. March 26, 1839, 
he was married, in Constantine, Mich,, to Ann 
Waltham. Her parents were natives of England, 
and, emigrating to this country in 1830, became 
early pioneers of St. Joseph County. Mrs. Stears 
was born at Newbold, Y'orkshire, England, Aug. U, 
1818. After marriage Mr. Stears made his home 
in Mottville, St. Joseph County, and was living 
there when the death of his wife occurred, Aug. 13, 
1842. Their pleasant wedded life had been blessed 
to them by the birth of two sons, one of whom died 
at the same time as his mother. Edmund H., the 
other son, was born March 14, 1840, and now lives 
in Constantine, where he is prosperously engaged 
in farming. After his wife's death Mr. .Stears 
worked at the carpenter's trade until 1851. In 
that year, on the ."ith of July, he married .igain, 
Ann Jackson becoming his wife, and to her devotion 
and ability he owes much of his prosperit}'. She 



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ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, 



347 



wns born Oct. 11, 1818, and is the daughter of 
.lohii and Milclio .Jackson; the}- were both nalivps 
c>f Kn<;laiid, coniin}; to America in 1H33. Botli 
are now dccejiscd. and buried in tiie cemetery at 
White Pigeon. 

Of the second marriage of our subject four chil- 
dren were born, namely: John J., born May 9, 
18.i2, is an enterprising farmer of Florence Town- 
ship (his ••ketch appears on another page of this 
wcirk); AVilliain II., born July 4, 1854, is a success- 
ful farmer of Florence; Mary A., born May 18, 
18.")7. married John W. Gentzler. of Constantine 
Township: Libbie E.. born Jan. 12, 18C1, lives on 
the farm that her grandfather (irstowned, and then 
her mother, the land having been taken up in 1830. 

.Since this second marriage Mr. Stears has de- 
voted himself entirely to farming, and has ever 
since t)ccnpied his present farm on section "29. At 
the age of seventy-two he jtresents the spectacle of 
a life fully rounded bj- its various experiences into 
a sei'cne and active old age. He is still capable of 
attending to his business, and has the care of a 
large garden. He is well gifted with mental and 
physical vigor, and is open-hearted and genial. 
He has always exerted a strong influence in the 
administration of public affairs, and some of the 
most inip(irt:int and responsible offices have been 
entrusted to hjni. He was President of the Count}' 
Mutual Fire Insurance Company, for St. Joseph 
County, for three years. He has been Township 
Supervisor for three years, was Township Clerk for 
a number of years. Justice of the Peace, and also 
Highway Commissioner for a term of years. He is 
a member of the order of Knights Templars, and 
belongs to what was the Reformed Church of Con- 
stantine. but now has taken the name of Con- 
gregational, having united with the Presbyterians. 
He has voted for every Democratic Presidential 
candidate since Jackson's day. except Horace Gree- 
ley, for whrun he did not voti- as he did not con- 
sider him a true Democrat. 

From his own experiences of pioneer life in St. 
Joseph County, and fniin what oursiibject knows 
of Its early settlers, much valuable material might 
be gathered for a history of the county and its 
pioneers. He says that among the early pioneers 
whom he knew was one John Coates. who came to 



St. Josepii County in 1 829. At that time he had to go 
as far as Detroit for flour, and for some six weeks 
had no flour except what was ground in a cofTee- 
mill. Mr. .Stears has known the price of pork to 
be|il.50 per hundred pounds, and even as high as 
|2.5 per hundred pounds. In 1837 wheat was 
worth about $2..')0 per bushel, and Mr. Stears had 
about 100 bushels, which he sold to his neighbors, 
and would only take ^2 per bushel for it from them. 
In 18.i4lie drew wheat twenty miles and sold it 
for lifty cents a bushel, and at the same time had 
to pay fourteen cents a pounri for meat. In 1837 
people came from Jackson and Ypsilanti for oats, 
and offered to pay 111. 50 per bushel for them on 
account of their great scarcity, and corn and other 
kinds of food were proportionately high. In the 
early days of settlement oxen were commonly used 
in improving the land, in marketing, etc. 

1,^% EUBEN .STOUT. In the month of May, 
L# 1846, the father of the subject of this sketch 
(ITW emigrated from Center County. Pa., to the 
wg young State of Michigan, locating on a farm 
on Pigeon Prairie. He occupied this until remov- 
ing to the Ingalls farm in Florence Township, and 
from there changed his re>idence to the Kechum 
farm, which he operate<l twenty-five years. At the 
ex|>iration of this time he was enabled to purchase 
the Kechum farm of eighty acres on section 2, 
Florence Townshi]), where he sjient the remainder 
of his life, passing away on the 12th of February, 
1872. 

Joseph .Stout was born in Northampton County, 
Pa., in 1800. where he s]ient the early years of his 
life. Upon approaching manhood he learned the 
trade of gunsmith, which he followe<l in his native 
State while a resident there, but in the meantime, 
after his marriage, removed to Center County, 
when his son Ueulien, of our sketch, was a little lad 
about six years old. In (enter County he carriiMl 
on farming until his removal to Michigan. The 
mother, Jlrs. Susan (Kelley) Stout, was also a 
native of PennMlvania. The i>arents were only 
.separated by death a few days, the mother preced- 
ing her husband to the silent tomb on the 7lh of 




i 



348 



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ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



February. 1872. Their faniih' consisted of seven 
eliilflren. six of whom are still living. William, the 
eldest born, died in California at the age of thirty- 
two j'ears. 

Reuben Stout, the subject of this sketch, was 
born Dec. 21, 1832, in Xortiianipton County, Pa, 
Ilis education was begun and completed in the 
schools of Florence Township, this county, where, 
with the exception of six years, he has spent his 
entire life. In ]\Iarch, 18.56. lie made a journey to 
the Pacific Sloi)e, and remained in California until 
tiie fall of 1802. then returnetl to Florence Town- 
sliip. and jjurcliased tiie farm he now owns and occu- 
pies. This lies on section 2, and is 120 acres in 
extent. In California Mr. Stout engaged in min- 
ing, meeting with fair success. 

Up to this time our subject had remained un- 
married, but in 18(;o was wedded in Florence 
Township to Miss Malinda Dufferd. who was then a 
young lady of twcnly-thrce years. She w.is born 
in Wisconsin, and was the daughter of Josepli Duf- 
ferd. Of this union there were born three children, 
and the wife and motlier departed this life at the 
homestead in Florence Township, in 1872. The 
eldest son, Frank, died when an interesting j-outh 
of fifteen years; Edward died at the age of four 
years; Gefirge remains at home with his father. 

Mr. Stout in 187it was married a second time, in 
Constantine Township, to Miss Jennie Jones, and 
they became the parents of two children — Nellie 
and Callie. Mrs. Jennie Stout is the daughter of 
Jerry Jones. Our subject, politically, is an earnest 
supporter of the princiiilesof tli» Democratic ]iarty. 
A man of decided views, and one wht) maintains his 
principles with all the strength of his character, 
he has acquitted himself as an honest man and a 
good citizen, and is held in higli respect by the 
people of his communitj-. 

H. HARVEY LOOMIS, the oldest practic- 
j); '"t? l)hysician of Burr Oak, was born in 
the little village of Atwater, Portage Co.. 
Ohio, Sept. 27. 1824. His parents. Austin 
and Elizabeth (Hough) Loorais, were natives re- 
spectively of Counecticut aud Massachusetts, tbe 




father born at Torrington, Conn., Sept. 14, 1794, 
and the mother in Massachusetts, April 30, 1802. 
Both families were af English origin. The father 
was a farmer by occupation, aud one of the pioneer 
settlers of Portage County, Ohio, to which he emi- 
grated from Connecticut when the country was wild 
and new. 

The family of the parents of oursubject included 
six children, all of whom, with the exception of 
the eldest, grew to mature 3'ears. This child died 
when about two j'e»rs of age. Harvey upon emerg- 
ing from the district school was a student in the 
schools of Twinsburg and Cleveland, Ohio, and sub- 
sequently took out a license from the medical de- 
partment of the AVestern Reserve College in 1847, 
with the degree of M. D. He afterward taught in 
the preparatory department of tbe Kenyon College 
at Gainbier, Ohio. 

Dr. Loomis, in September, 1849, came to this 
county and established himself as a practicing phy- 
sician at Burr Oak, where he has followed his pro- 
fession faithfully for a period of thirty-nine 3'oars. 
During this time he has built up an extensive and 
lucrative business, and has accumulated a fine 
proiiert^'. As a physician he stands second to none 
in Southern Michigan. In 1861 he purchased 
twenty acres of land in the wfiods, just outside the 
village limits, from which he has cleared the tim- 
ber, brought the soil to a high state of cultivation, 
and erected a fine brick residence, which he now 
occupies. A large barn, an orchard of choice ap- 
ple trees, and an abundance of the smaller fruits, 
together with the various other appliances of mod- 
ern life, conduce to the comfort and enjoyment of 
the family. He has a model home, and enjoys the 
society of hosts of friends. 

Dr. Loomis has been three times married ; first, 
Aug. 28, 1849, to Miss Mary D. Mansfield, of At- 
water, Ohio. Of this union there were born three 
children: Emma died at the age of one and one- 
half 3'ears; Minnie C. still lives at home, and has 
for ten consecutive j'^fii's been a teacher in the Burr 
Oak High School ; she is a lady of great culture 
and refinement. Edgar A. is at present clerk in a 
dry-goods store at Grand Rapids. Mrs. Mary D. 
Loomis departe<l this life at her home at Burr Oak, 
June 30, 1867. The Doctor, on the 24th of May, 



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-M 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



349 



1868. contracted n second matriinnninl alliance, with 
Miss Mary I-. Rmr. of Atwiitrr. Oliio, who died in 
1SG9. He was tlien nianifd. April (■>. IHTO. to Mrs. 
Mary A. X'nei Pelt, of C'oldwater. Mich., whose 
husband was killed at the battle of Stone River, 
while serving as a soldier in the I'nion Army. 

Both Mr. and Mrs Looniis are inenibers in good 
standing of the Baptist Church, and Dr. L. he- 
longs to the Masonic fraternity, and the Home 
Self-Protective Association. Politically, he is an 
uncompromising Republican, and an active and 
conscientious worker for the party to which he be- 
longs. He has taken sjiecial interest in educational 
mnttcrs. and been an honored member of the School 
Board in Burr Oak Township since its organization 
in 1^>6."5. He w.as for a nunilier of j-ears Town- 
ship School Inspector. He is recognized as one of 
the most useful citizens in his community, still fol- 
lows his practice, and lives comfortably in one of 
the most attractive residences of the township. He 
is a pioneer who has built up for himself a good 
record, and is in all respects one of whon) the 
county may well be proud. 



DWARD GRAY. The history of St. Jo- 
fe] seph County would not be complete if a 
sketch of this gentleman, whose name is 
here given, should be omitted. Coming as he did 
to Michigan, and .settling in Mottville Township 
when it was compnrativel3- new. he has taken an 
importiuit part in bringing al)oiit the present pros- 
l)erous state of affairs. He is now living on the 
farm he originally purchased in 1850, located on 
section "). Mottville 'I'ownship. and containing !.">0 
acres of choice agricultural land, well improved 
and very productive. 

The father of our subject, Kdward (irav. .Sr.. 
was born in Ireland, and came to America about the 
year liHO, and settled in Northnmberlnnd County, 
Pa. His wife. Kllen (.McClnnnliJiu) (Jray, was also 
a native of Ireland, and accompanied her husband 
when he came to the New Worlil. They were the 
parents of a large family of children, who were 
named .John, Mary. Kliz.ibeth. Kilwnrd (our sub- 
ject). Andrew an<l Nancy. John was born in Ire- 



land, and came to America with his parents, re- 
maining at home nntd he attained his majoritj'; 
JIary was born in Ireland, as was also her sister 
Elizabeth, who came to this country with her par- 
ents; Andrew. Edward and Nancy were born in 
Northumberland County, Pa. Nancy was a duti- 
fid daughter, and resided with her parents until 
she died, in 1874. 

AVhen our subject left his n;itive State he came 
directlj- to Mottville Townihip, in 18o0, where he 
purchased the farm on which he has resided ever 
since. While in Pennsylvania he learned the trade 
of a boat builder, and for twenty years was en- 
gaged in that branch of business, building boats 
for use on the Pennsylv;inia Canal. 

The subject of this sketch and his good wife are 
the parents of eight children, six of whom are liv- 
ing: Andrew was born May 22. 183(j. is a mechanic, 
and resides in Goshen. Iml.; James S. w.is born 
on the Gth of April, 1838. is living on the old home- 
stead, and is unmarried; John died when an infant.. 
John Edmund was born Jan. j. 1842. is mar- 
ried, and lives a short distance from the home 
farm; Elizabeth Ellen was born Feb. 8. 1844. is 
unmarrieil and living with her father, the misti-ess of 
his home; William was born .]\\\y 23, 1846; he is 
unmarried and lives at home with his father. Mary 
J. was born May 28. IH50; she is marrieil to John 
McTafifer. anil is the mother of two children, a 
son. aged eight years, and a little daughter three 
ye.'irs ohl ; the}- live in the villageof Nappanec. Inil. 
The wife of our subject died Sept. 7. 1877; she 
was a clevout member of the Dutch Reforme<J 
Church. 

Mr. Gray h.is hehl the office of Su|)ervisor in his 
township for sixteen years in succession : he has 
alsoserveil as Justice of the Peace for two terms. 
He was a member of the Lutheran Church in the 
Sf.ite of Pennsylvania, but in his later years he 
joined the Dutch Reformed Church, and has since 
been a steadfast, earnest member. He is now 
and hius been for many years an Elder in that so- 
ciely. He has been living a retired life for the past 
seven years, and is a hale and hearty old gentleman, 
giving a fair promi.-ie of enjoying life for many 
years to come. The sons living at home are oiier- 
•ting the farm. While he was in active life llieie 



r 




i 



350 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



were but few of his neighl)Ors. if any, who could 
excel him in energ}' ami ambition. He has alwaj's 
lived a frugal, sober life, and l»y his persistent ef- 
forts has accumulated a snug corapetence, .and is 
fully able to enjoy the years that are yet left to 
him in quiet and rest. 



•»«flCi2/®1@~-H>>^ 



.'s^.S/OTa** 




a^S^'HOMAS REDFEARN. This gentleman, al- 
though born across the ocean, is one of the 
earl^' pioneers of St. Joseph County. He has 
given the best efforts of his life to agricultural pur- 
suits, and as a reward for his industry and applica- 
tion he has a splendid farm located on sections 2 and 
11 in Mottville Township, where he conducts a 
business of general farming and dairying. 

Our subject w.ts born in Yorkshire. England, 
Jul}' 2, 182.1. His father, John Redfearn, emi- 
grated with his family to America in 1830. and set- 
tled in Tamaqua, I'a.. where the mother died soon 
after their arrival. Af'.er her death the father left 
our subject with his uncle. Thomas Gray, and went 
by way of the ocean around to the delta of the 
Mississippi River, thence up that stream to Du- 
buque, Iowa, where he w.ns among the first miners 
in Ihnt region, but was driven from the mines by 
the Indians, whi-n lie enlisted in the Black Hawk 
War. which lasted but a sln)rt time. The subject 
of this sketch came with his uncle Thomas to St. 
Joseph County. Mich., in 1834, where the father 
had come a short time before their arrival. They 
settled on section 2, Mottville Township, near where 
the noted Indian chief While Pigeon was buried. 
Our sidiject planted a Cottonwood tree to mark 
the spot of the last resting-place of the bones of a 
noble red man. This tree died of old age, and he 
planted a black walnut tree in 18ii('); it also died, 
when he planted the noble elm which now marks 
tiie Indian's lonely grave. The grave and the tree 
marking it have been a landmark for many j-ears. 
The chief whose remains rest beneath this tree, to 
whose memory it is a fitting monument, was one of 
the most intelligent Indians of his time; he proved 
his friendship to the white settlers in many ways. 
The histor}- of his actions toward them forms one of 



the most interesting legends connected with the early 
settlement of our country. The town and surround- 
ing prairie are named in memory of this man and 
his many good deeds and tried friendship. 

When the gold fever became epidemic in 1849 
our subject, with tliousands of others, was attacked, 
and he went overland with an ox- team to California 
in that5'ear; the train with which he was connected 
was composed of about 100 persons. It w.as neces- 
sary to go in large numbei"s like this, .as a matter of 
safety against the depredations of the various hos- 
tile tribes of Indians, which at that time infested 
the plains which our travelers were obliged to cross. 
He remained in the gold mines for two years, when 
he returned to the States in 1851, via the '-Central 
American" route. Although they experienced many 
hardships on their way westward overland, those 
experienced on shipboard on their return were far 
more desperate and intense. The journey eastward 
was made in a sailing-brig; they were becalmed so 
long that their stock of provisions became nearly 
exhausted, and they were put on short allowance. 
The water provided was black and dirty, and of 
that, such as it was, they could not get enough. At 
the end of the voj'age he found himself verj' weak 
and emaciated. He quickly recovered and returned 
to his home in Michigan, and in the spring of 1852 
he bought his present farm of 175 acres, where he 
has since resided. 

Mr. Redfearn was married, on the 28th of March, 
1854, to Amelia llachenburg. They are the par- 
ents of four children, three of whom are living, 
namelj': Arthur. Mary A. and .Sarah. Sarah is the 
wife of Albert Potts, and resides in Constantine 
Township. Mrs. Redfearn has proved herself an able 
counselor and adviser, ami she has contributed 
largely to the success which the3- have realized ; 
she has taken special pains with the education and 
training of her children, and it is through her in- 
fluence and example that they are so well adapted to 
hold the honorable positions in society which they 
do. This is another and apt illustration of the old 
precept, "The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand 
that moves the world." for as parents educate and 
train their children, so will be the future peojile of 
the world, and so the laws of society be made, and 
as the children of to-day will become the rulers of 




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I 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



353 



the future, the mother's care, wisdom anrl careful 
trainiugari' the force that molds tlieir future destiny. 

Our subject has a hujj^i} number of valuable anil 
curious articles, the relics of a [jcop'e wlio once in- 
' habited the land, but have now passed away to make 
room for the present age of civilization and prog- 
ress. The collection contains many articles of 
stone anil copper, including axes, flesh and butcher 
knives, copper cooking utensils and iiuplemeiits of 
warfare. Our subject is proud of the fact that lie 
is one of the pioneers of the county, and that it 
has been his lot in life to contribute so much to its 
prosi-nt prosperity' and growth. He has a good com- 
mand of language, and it is very interesting to hear 
him descril)e. in his graphic w.ay, tlie adventures 
and hardships endured from the time he started to 
California until his return. He venerates the mem- 
ory of the Indian chief White Pigeon, and guards 
the grave holding his remains with a jealous care. 

The improvements our subject has placed upon 
his farm are of the most substantial and solid char- 
acter. His residence is a fine piece of architecture, 
is nicel}' and comfortably furnished throughout, is 
surronn<lcd l)y a lawn filled willi ornamental trees, 
shrubbery and flowers, and 'well-kept walks. The 
barns, cattle sheds and other necessary out-buildings 
are models of their kind. The entire farm is en- 
closed ami divided into fields of convenient size by 
substantial and well-kept fences. He devotes his 
time to general farming, stock-raising anrl dairying. 
He is prominent in the Masonic fraternity of White 
Pigeon, never has sought or held any public oflice, 
is public-spirited, ami is active in all matters per- 
taining to the welfare of the commuuity. 




KVI C. UIFKNI!KKf;H. a prominent and 
(©) well-to-do farmer and stock-raiser of .St. 
^i^ Joseph Count}', lias been a resident of Con- 
>tantine Township most of the time since lH.")().and 
ha* been an important factor in developing its agri- 
cultural interests, having improved a valuable and 
highly productive farm on section l'>. Me has erecti-d 
thereon a substantial set of farm buildings, and has 
it well supplie<l witii the various conveniences for 



cultivating the land, gathering in the crops, etc.. 
and his home is one of the most cozy and comforta- 
ble in the township. 

Our subject was born Dec. 29, 182.S, in Middle- 
sex, Yates Co., N. Y., being the sixth child in the 
family of nine children, six sons and three daugh- 
ters, of (ieorge J. and Pbebe (Francisco) Rifcn- 
bergh. His father, it is supposed, was liorn in 
Schenectady County. N. Y..and his mother was also 
a native of Kastern New York. In the fall of 1845 
the}- came to Michig.an, and the ensuing five j'ears 
made their home in Oakland County. In 1850 they 
came to .St. Joseph County, and took up their abode 
in Constantine Township, and passed the remainder 
of their livr-s here, the mother d^'ing Jan. 21, 1868, 
and the father July 15. 1880. 

Levi Rifenbergh spent his early years on his 
father's farm in New York, and under his practical 
guidance gained a thorough knowledge of farming 
in all its branches. He was .seventeen years of age 
when he accoiiii)anied his parents to their new home 
in lliis Slate, in Oakland Count}'. He also came 
with them to this county in 1850, and with the ex- 
ception of two J'ears spent in Cass County has been 
a resident of Constantine ever since. Me has al- 
ways been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and now 
owns 210 acres of the finest farming land to be 
found within the limits of St. Joseph County, on 
which he has erected good buildings, and made 
various other substantial impi-ovements. and besides 
this farm he and his wife own fifty -two acres of 
valuaijie land in Cass (Jounty. Mr. Rifenbergh's 
ability and skill as a farmer are of a high order, as is 
shi>wn by the appearance of his well-managed farm 
and the success that he has met in its cultivation, 
which places him in the froirt rank of the intelligent 
and representative agriculturists of Southern Michi- 
gan. 

Mr. Rifenbergh has been f»'ice married. His first 
marriage took place in Ca.ss County. M.ay 13, 185-1, 
and was to Miss Harriet Draper, a native of Cass 
County. She bore him one child, who died in in- 
fancy. Mrs. Rifenbergh was a woman of high per- 
sonal character, and her death, while yet in the 
bloom of young wumanhood. after a brief wedded 
life. Aug. 23, I85lj, in Constantine Township, was 
a source of sorrow to her friends. Our subject was 



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4 



354 



ST. JOSEPH COUMY. 



married to bis present wife, formerly Miss Lydia 
Carr, in Porter Township, Ca$s County, Nov. 15, 
1857. and slie lias bren to liim a true helpmate, and 
a most excellent wife in every sense of the word. 
She was born in Porter Township, Cass County, 
Oct. 2, lt<;jH, a daughter of George E. and Polly 
(Fuller) Carr. Her parents moved from their na- 
tive SUfe, New York, to Cass County in 1836, and 
thus became eaily settlers of the county, wliere they 
passed their remaining days. They had a family of 
nine children, of whom Mrs. Rifenbergh was the 
fourth in order of birth. To lier and her husband 
have been born nine children, namely: Hattie. the 
wife of A. U. Hoffman, of Reece, Greenwood Co., 
Kan.: Henry F., Phyiena, .leunie. Jesse and Alnora 
are all yet under the parental roof, ^■iola, Loren 
and Olen are deceased. 

Mr. Rifenbergh is highly respected and esteemed 
for his many good qualities of head and heart. Ilia 
reputation is of the best, and both in public and in 
private life he h.is ever been found to be a man of 
principle and honor. He has interested himself 
greatly in township affairs, and lias taken part in their 
management, having served with credit and fidelity 
in luinierotis minor odices. In polities he sides with 
the Democratic party and uses his influence iu its 
behalf. 

It is with pleasure wc present on an adjoining 
page the portrait of this worthy representative far- 
mer of St. Joseph County. A man of unblemished 
integrity he is eminently worthy of this honor. As 
a most fitting companion picture is given that of 
his estimable wife. 



-i^- 



y ILL] AM H. CA.STLE. The subject of 
this sketch, who at the ck>se of a well- 
spent life departed hence, in 1887, was 
born in Litchfield, Conn., April 12, 1811. He was 
a son of Isaac and Phebe (Beech) Castle, who were 
natives of the same State. Upon lo:iving New En- 
gland they made their way to the vicinity of Buf- 
falo, N. Y.. and thence came to this county during 
its pioneer days. The father liere had in view the 
building up of a homestead, but his plans were cut 
short by his death, which took place six weeks af- 



•^h^ 



ter his arrival. The mother then returned to Buf- 
falo and made her home there, where her death 
took place about 1841. 

The early years of Mr. Castle were spent in Sul- 
livan County, N. Y., and he came to Michigan 
during its Territorial d.ays, while a single man. in 
1835. He purchased a tract of wild land on sec- 
tion 13 in Colon Township, where be made his 
home until his death, his labors being attended with 
prosperit}'. He wisely invested his accumulating 
capital in additional land, and left an estate includ- 
ing 210 acres, with am|)le farm buildings, machinery 
and live stock, and all the appurtenances of the 
modern country home. A glance at his property 
conveys the idea of plenty and comfort, with ample 
means and all the good and desirable things of life. 

The lady who for nearly fifty years was the com- 
panion and helpmate of our subject. Miss Mar}' T. 
Webster in her girlhood, became his wife April 6, 
1837, the wedding taking place at the home of her 
parents in Colon. The latter were Jesse and Cyn- 
thia (Webster) Webster, both natives of Delaware 
County, N. Y. From the Empire State they re- 
moved to Lorain County. Ohio, when Mrs. Castle 
was a little child five years of age. There the father 
carried on farming, and died about 1824. Mrs. 
Webster was subsequently married to Lorenzo Schel- 
hoiise, and with her little family accompanied him 
to this county as earl}' as 1831. It is hardly nec- 
essary to state that they were among the earliest 
liioneers who first ventured into the wilderness and 
eliminated a homestead from a wild and unculti- 
vated tract of land. Here tliey spent their last 
days. The mother lived to the advanced age of 
eight3'-four years, and passed away at her own home 
in 1.S75. 

To Jesse and Mary T. Webster there were born 
two children only, both daughters — Mary T. and 
Sarah M. The latter is the widow of Orrin W. 
Legg, a well-to-do farmer of Colon Township. 
Mrs. Mary T. Castle was born in Amherst. Lorain 
Co., Ohio, April 24,1819. She was twelve years 
old when her jiaronts came to this count}'. Her 
education was .acquired in the district school, and 
she remained with her mother until her marriage. 
Of her union with our subject there have been Ijurii 
five children: Amelia A. is the widow of Edward 



i 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



■•► 



:j.^.o 



Striiiik, of Leoiiiflas Toniisliip, this county; Isaac 
II. is farnilng in Merrick Coiinly, Neb.; Willie F. 
(lii'd at tin- ajie of five years; Hc'iiry B. dicil when 
,1 lirigiit lad of thirteen years; Jesse L. is farming 
in Colon Township. 

Since the death of her hushand Mrs. Castle has 
su|)erintende(l the operations of the farm. She has 
long borne the reputation of a lady of more than 
ordiujiry ability, an<l is amply fitted to look after the 
valuable cstiUe left her by her husband. She has 
witnessed with interest the man}' changes transpir- 
ing during her residence of si.Kt}' j'ears in tliis 
countj'. and none have rejoiced more heartily at the 
evidences of its wealth and prosperitj'. She has 
performed her part well as a wife, mother an<l 
friend, and is hehl in warm esteem bj' a large niira- 
bor of people throughout this region. She has 
been identified with tlie Baptist Church since 18.08 
with her husbau<l, and through their united efforts 
and liberality it has attained much of its present 
standing to-d.ay. 

Mr. Castle was Clerk of the church society for 
a period of thirty years. Politically, he conscien- 
tiously supported the principles of the Democratic 
party. lie held the various townsiiip ollices during 
his younger years, and invariably signified his will- 
ingness to aid by his means and infiuence every 
worthy enterprise in connection with its welfare 
and prosperity. The children have grown up to be 
an honor to their parents. 



^^HORGK DICKIN.SON. We are glad to be 
(|| (==, able to place on these pages a brief record 
^^J4l of the life of the gentleman whose name 
heads this sketcli, as he isafine representative of the 
native-born citizens of St. Joseph County, who are 
now among its most practical and enterprising far- 
mers and stock-growers, and upon whom hii-s fallen to 
a great extent the honor of sustaining its large agri- 
cultural interesUi. A son of one of its earliest settlers, 
born almost in the first decade of its settlement, 
when it had scarcely begun to merge from its prim- 
itive wilduess. he ni.iy be said to have grown up 
with the county, within whose limitji his entire life 
has been spent, and where he built himself and 



family a home that in all its appointments and sur- 
roumlings is (uie of the most comfortable and at- 
tractive in the vicinity 'of its location. He is. as 
we have intimated, prominently iilentified with the 
stock and grain growers of the county, making a 
specialty of niising fine horses, owning and manag- 
ing a valuable farm on section 31. Florence Town- 
ship, the place of his birth. 

The subject of this sketch is a son of George 
and Sarah (Bowman) Dickinson, natives of En- 
gland, the father born in the town of Stockton. 
They emigrated to this country in I8;51.and the 
following year found them among the primeval for- 
ests of .Southern Michigan, seeking a home in .St. 
Joseph County. They were not married until after 
their arri v.-xl in this county. Mr. Dickinson, after his 
removal here, carried the mail on horseback from 
White Pigeon to Three Rivers, and he was alst) en- 
gaged in driving a stage for a number of ^years. In 
1834 he and a brother bought a tract of land, com- 
prising 180 acres, from the (iovernment and from 
four individuals, and from that time until his death 
in 1861 he was active in developing the rich agricult- 
ural resources of St. Joseph County. While thus 
promoting the growth of the count}', he was pros- 
pered in his work, accumulated a valuable property 
and imjjroved a fine farm. He lived respected, 
having led an upright life, and he died lamented, 
as he was a good citizen, a kind neighbor, and al- 
ways pleasant in his family relations. He went to 
tiike part in the Black Hawk War, but at the end of 
three daj's, not being needed, the company was 
disbanded. He never touched tobacco, and always 
used his infiuence to discourage the use of it in 
others. His worthy wife. Mrs. Sarah (Johnson) 
Dickinson. <lied in January. 1867. She was the 
mother of six children, three sons and three 
daughters, all of whom are married and living in 
St. Joseph County, except .Mary Bowman, who 
is deceased. Mrs. Dickinson was first married 
to John Bow-inan. in Yorkshire. Englan<l, which 
was the place of her birth, ns well as that of our 
subject's father. By this first marriage one child, 
a daughter, was born. Mary Ann. who became the 
wife of J. .1. Davis, of Wliite Pigeon. 

George Dickinson. .Jr.. is the second child and 
eldest son of these good people, and he w.as born 



.^f^^ 



" ^ B ■4* 



356 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



•t 



in Florence. St. Joseph County. Jan. 22, 1839. He 
spent his boyhootl days on the old liomestead 
where he first saw the li^ht of day, and his educa- 
tion was conducted in tlie schools of While Pigeon, 
a part of the tinrie in a select school. After his father's 
death our subject assisted in settling up tlie estate 
and dividing the property, in which he had an in- 
terest. He entered into possession of his present 
farm A])rll 1, 1880, and has ever since managed it 
with gotjd financial results. It comprises 196 acres 
of highly tilled and verj' productive land, admira- 
bly adapted to mixed farming, to which Mr. Dick- 
inson devotes himself, with what success may be 
noted in the rich grain fields, yielding abundant 
harvests, and in the sleek and well-kept cattle and 
fine-bred horses roaming in his pastures. The farm 
is well supplied with neat and tasty buildings for 
all purposes, and everything about the place wears 
an air of thrift and plenty. Aside from the man- 
agement of his farming interests Mr. Dickinson 
does business as an agent for agricultural imple- 
ments for Mr. Deere, of Molinc, 111., and has been 
very active in introducing these implements into 
the county. 

Mr. Dickinson was married, March 10, 18G4, to 
J.ydia, daughter of George and Frances (Arney) 
Hardy. Her father was born in England and her 
mother in \'erniont. and they were among the early 
settlers of St. Joseph County, coming here in 1833. 
Mrs. Dickinson was born in Lockport Township, 
this county, Maj- 12. 1839, and lived with her parents 
until she married and gained a home of her own. 
Their marriage has been blessed to our subject and 
his excellent wife by the birth of five children, four 
of whom are living: Carrie E.. born Jan. 13, 186.5, 
married Eilward Ilotcliin, of Florence ; George H., 
born July 20, 1868, lives at home; Sarah F., born 
Feb. <J, 1870; M.ay, July 16, 1872; E:rnest L.,born 
Sept. 18. 187.^, died .Sept. 22. 1887. Mr. Dickin- 
son and family occupy a high standing in this com- 
munity, and they are all valued members of the 
Jlethodist Eijiscojjal Church at White Pigeon. The 
pleasant abode of our subject and wife is the scene 
of a generous hospitality, ami its inmates are often 
called upon to welcome the coming and speed the 
parting guest, as they nunilier man}' friends among 
their acquaintances. Jlr. Dickinson is a man of 



much shrewd foresight and keen enterprise, possess- 
ing a resolute will and a sound understanding. Ilis 
geniality, tact, and obliging manners, have won him 
a warm place in the hearts of his neighbors. Po- 
litically. Mv. Dickinson is a standi Republican, 
heartily in favor of the policy of his party. 

^s^ .VML'EL E.\.HLV. Occupying a proud place 
^^^ among the names of those who have con- 
(j\£_Jl) tributed .<o much toward making the State 
of Michig.in such a proud member of the 
great family of States of the Americ.in nation, 
there are none more conspicuous than that of the 
gentlem.in Avhose name heads this sketch. He now 
resides in Mottville A'illage. where he transacts 
business as a merchant, carrying a stock of goods 
adapted to the needs of the country. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Xortbuni- 
berland County. Pa., Sept. 24, 1824. The father. 
David Early, was a native of Lancaster County, 
Pa., where he was born in 1768. and followed farm- 
ing for many years. He was a consistent mem- 
ber of the Presb3-terian Church. He died at the 
residence of his son, our subject, in St. .loseph 
County, ^lich. The mother's name w.as Elizabeth 
(Frees) Early. She was born in New Jersey in 
1762. She died .at a ripe old age. John, brother 
C)f our subject, was born in Norlhumberl.and County. 
Pa., in 1822: he is a farmer, now residing in Cas^ 
County, -Micli. His brother William was born in 
Pennsylvania in 182(). and died in the county of 
his birth. Hcbecca w.as born in Pennsylvania in 
1817, and died at the age of fifty-three yeai-s. The 
wife of Richard Jtmes. of Pennsylvania, she was the 
mother of four children, one only surviving. .Vda- 
line was born in Northumberland County, Pa., in 
18.'U. an<l was married to Jerry Dyer, who is a far- 
mer in that .State. 

Mr. Early was married to Miss Margaret Gray. 
.Sept. 27. 1844. This l.ady w.as a native of Northum- 
berland County, Pa., where she was born in 1827. 
The early days of our subject w^ere not passed in 
paths of eiuse and jileasure. but. on the contrary, 
were filled with many troubles and much hard 
labor. When old enough to handle a team he was 



t 



\ 



ST. .lOSEPH COUNTY. 



:5.i 



h 



tlic ilrivff of a st.njro. In the yo.'ir IX\\ lie w.-is 
a "ItuvliKv" on tin- IVnii.Mlvania fniial, luiil wns 
tlic driver uf the ti-.iin nttaL-lii'il lo the luml tliat 
carried the remains of President William llenrv 
Harrison from IIarrisl>iirjT. I'a.. to Clark's Ferry, 
on the way westward to liis final restin.y^-plaee on 
the lianks of the Ohio River. He leealls distinctly 
tlie many expressions of re:xret and sorrow shown 
l)V tlie people along the route. Puhlie huildings 
and private residences were draped with all the sad 
paraphernalia of niourninir. and wlien tlie boat 
p;u<sed i>eople woidd stand with bowed and uncov- 
ered head.s until it had passed from sight. The 
boat that, carried the remiins w.os nami'd "(ieneral 
.laekstMi." 

Our subject followed canal and stage driving for 
tliree years, when he .asked for leave of al)sence. in- 
tending to come to the great Northwest, which re- 
quest was granted. He wrote his emjjloyers that if he 
did not come back in three weeks they might tiiink 
lie had said good-b^-e. lie came to Mottville. St. 
Joseph County, and then went to Bristol ami en- 
gaged in kPeping a hotel. At the end of one year 
he sold his hotel interest, and returned to Mott- 
ville and engaged in farming, which he followed 
for twelve years. In this he was prosperous, and 
accumulated a goodly store of this world's effects. 
Leaving his farm, he moved into Mottville Vil- 
lage, but having been aci-iistomed to an active, 
stirring life, he could not obtain his own consent 
to remain in idleness, so he purchased a stock of 
dry-goods. bcMjts, shoes and groceries, and com- 
menced business as a merchant. 

This venture proving very successful, Mr. Early 
found a goiwl opportunity of dis|)osing of it to an ac- 
quaintance from California, after which he returned 
to Bristol and purchase*! the Western Hotel. After 
conducting this hotel awhile he sold it to .loseph 
Wheeler and returned to .Mottville. after which he 
was out of active business for a short time. He 
then purcli!u.e<l another general stock of goods and 
opened a store, in which he is located to-day. He 
is doing a good business, and is considere<l a good, 
straightforward, pros|jerous man. He is also Post- 
master at thus [loint. 

Mr. Karly loves to tell to his customers and 
friends the history of his past life, and lK?ing a 

4* 



lluent talker and having a good commmd of lan- 
guage, his de-^criptions of many of the adventures of 
that tim '. dt'<cril)j I in his e.'cceadiugly gra;)hic 
m inner, are highly entertaining, and do not fail to 
enlis! the entire attention of the listener. He hai a 
nice hom;'. c'omfortably furnished, situated in the 
midst of ple.isant surroundings, and now in the 
evening of his life he is eiiablerl to enjoy that which 
wiis denied him in ids earlier years. 

To our subject and his wife were born eight 
children, seven girls and one boy. four of whom 
are now living. Mary .lane is the wife of C. Koh- 
ler, .and resides in Elkhart, Ind.; Martha A., now 
the wife of Ira Sloan, resides in Three Rivers. 
Mich.; Sarah Belle is the wife of .1. II. Madden, 
and lives in Mottville. Mich., and Lucinda is re- 
siding with her |)arents, and is the only child at 
home. She clerks in her father's store, has re- 
ceived a good common-school education, and is a 
fine ])enswoni;in. 



^^ 




W. TEAL, one of the pioneer settlers of 
Burr Oak Township, came to this county 
in 1872, and located upon the land which 
comprises his present homestead. A native of York- 
shire, England, he ivas born .Tan. 2. 1HI4. and is 
the son of .lohn and Nancy Teal, who spent their 
entire lives in their native England. 

At the age of fourteen years our subject w.ia 
apprenticed to a sea captain on a lumber vessel, the 
•' Tiiton," with which he sailed about three ^'ears. 
During this time he made four trips between En- 
glan<l and the Dominion of Canada. On their Last 
vo^'age the}" came very near being shipwrecked, 
and the vessel w.as declared unseaworthy. Shortly 
afterwanl. in 18.'?:!, young Teal took up his abode 
in New York City, ami was employed about the 
wharf nearly a year. Thence he went to Oneida 
County, where he was variously employed, some- 
times as a boat hand, sometimes as a grocery clerk, 
and whatever he could Hnd to do. He finally mi- 
grated to the vicinit}' of Coldwaier. .Mich., and 
thence to Lagrange County, Ind., where he pur- 
chased forty acres of land. This was all timber, 
which he cleareil away, brougut the soil to a state 

9^ 



i 



•^•- 



3.-,.S 



^^►^K-* 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



of ciilUvntion. and added forty acres to his first 
purchase. In due tiino be was the owner c)f 120 
acres, and continiieil there fur a period of twelve 
years, tlien came to tliis county. 

Mr. Teal has been twice married first, in '837, 
to Miss Kutli Pilbeam.a native of pji^land. and the 
(laughter of Henry and Klizalieth Pilhe.'ini, who 
spent their entire lives there. This lady died at 
her home, in 1«G7. after having been his faithful 
wife and helpmate for a period of thirty years. 
The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married in 1870, was formerly Miss Caroline M. 
Mellon, at that time of Lagrange County, Ind. 
Mrs. Caroline Teal is Ihe daughter of Arthur and 
Rachel Mellon. Of this union there have been 
born seven childien — Olive, Mary Jane, John 
William, Arthur, Hattie, Caroline and George. 

Mr. Teal, politically, was in earlier years an active 
worker in the ranks of the Democratic part3'. Of 
late, however, he has taken but little interest in 
politics. He served as Justice of the Peace in La- 
grange County, Ind., a number of terms, and in 
Burr Oak has been Street Commissioner and a 
member of the Town Council. He is a reliable 
and substantial citizen, a ma'n of strict integrity, 
and one generally respected among his neighbcrs. 



^IJUDGE WILLIAM CONNOR. Upon the 
I' 11th day of Jul^'. 1803, there was born in 
I one of the prettiest farmhouses in Hilisboro 
(^jA Count}*, N. II., a child who shortly afterward 
received the name which stands at the head of this 
sketch, who, in the years which have succeeded, 
lias abundantly justified the rejoicings of which be 
was the occasion at that time. In the above county 
our subject spent his earl}' days, occupied with the 
sports and pastimes incident to childhood, and 
graduall}' taking his place amidst the sterner duties 
of 3'outh and manhood. 

Young Connor remained in his native county 
until 1828, when, starting out for himself, he came 
"West as far as Detroit, remaining there a short 
time, as he did also in the cities of Ypsilanti and 
Ann Arbor. He acted in the capacity of a peda- 
gogue during the winter of 1828-29, and in the 



spring came to what is now St. Jofe])h County to 
look at the lay of the land. The surroundings 
meeting, if not indeed surpassing, his hiiihest ex- 
pectations, he purchased eighty acres in Nutlawa 
Township. lie then returned to Ypsilanti. and 
commenced teaching school, but Sept. 1. 1821), lo- 
cated permanent!}' upon his land in Nottawa Town- 
ship, where be is one of the old time residents. It is 
ilirongli the energy and self-sacrifice of such men 
as Mr. Connor that .St. Joseph County is indebted 
for her present prosperous condition. 

In the election of 1836 Mr. Connor was elected 
Judge of the Probate Court, but resigned in 1837. 
He has also been County Commissioner, and a mem- 
ber of the County Board of Supervisors for nearly 
twenty years. Beyond the good which be might 
accomplish in bis own community, in discharging 
the duties of an unsalaried oflice, he has no aspira- 
tions for political i)referment. Judge Connor mani- 
fested bis interest in the upbuilding of the county 
by superintending the erection of its present court 
house, and also that of ibe county jail, which shows 
hirii to be able to lake his place as an able worker 
in any department. 

Judge Connor was united in marriage, in 1835, 
with Mrs. .Sarah Ann (Rapalje) Wicks, who only 
survived her wed<iing seven montiis. In due time 
our subject was the second time married, to Miss 
A. Powers, who bore him four children, namely : 
Mark W. ; Clara A., who is the wife of R. C. Bar- 
nard ; Helen J., now Mrs. C. A. E^nsign ; and Clin- 
ton M., now deceased. Mrs. A. Connor departed 
this life in 1869. 

Politically, our subject does not meddle in poli- 
tics, otherwise than to cast bis vote at the National 
elections. 



* ftlLLIAM M. WATKINS. Among the many 
\/sJl' ^^ell-to-do and highly respected citizens of 
W^ LeonidasTownsbipis the gentleman whose 
biography is here presented in outline. His resi- 
dence is upon section 21. where he owns 190 acres. 
His father, Levi Watkins, came from Ontarit) 
County, N. Y.. to this county, in the fall of 1832. 
and built his bouse on the Nottawa Creek, in this 
township, in November of that year, and there made 



-»^hM* 



«► ■ <• 



-» n ^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



3a ;i ' ■ 



his lioini' until lii> iU':\\h in 1H.')1. His wife, whose 
inniden name wn-s Lneiiia Kil)l>ee. died on the lOtii 
of Fehrnarv. 1H(!2. They were the parents of four 
sons and two (huighters, of whom our siil)jeet was 
the yoiiniresl. 

Levi Waiivins was one of the leading citizens in 
his distrii't. lie built the first bridge across the St. 
.loseph Kiver. l)etween AFottville. St. .losepli County, 
and .lonesville. Hillsdale County. He was a man 
who took tlie deepest interest in the welfare of the 
community of which lie was a resident, was intelli- 
gent, active and relial)le. It was his endeavor in 
his family to so train and develop the various pow- 
ers of his children a.s to tnake them of u.se in the 
world, and capable of taking their places, so .■».* to 
leave it better than they found it. 

The sul)ject of our sketch was born in Naples. 
Ontario Co., N. Y.. on the 17th of August. IHUi, 
and w!is there until he was about sixteen years of 
age. He then accompanied his parents to this State. 
He attendee! the Naples schools, and returned from 
Michigan to Nai)les to attend school in the fall of 
IH.'J.'i. remaining until the following .June. In 1H.'?8 
he also attended a branch of the State I'niver- 
sity. located at White Pigeon, from December. 
1«38. until March 1, I«40. Leaving school, our 
.subject went to Texas, wliere he engaged in clerk- 
ing until the spring of \K^\. when he returned 
home, where he has lived ever since with the ex- 
ception of the four years that he was SherilT of the 
county. Then he lived at Centreville. 

Mr. Watkins is the owner of 190 acres of choice 
laufl, and has also erecteil a very line dwelling. In 
November. 1866. he was re-electe<l .Sheriff of the 
county. He has also held the otiices of Townshij) 
Clerk. SuiH-rvisor. and .lustice of the Peace, which 
latter he has held almost continuously since 1864. 
He was elected Townsiiip Clerk in 1813, and in 
•luly, 18!)2. his present term of otlice as .lustice 
of the Peace will expire. He is also one of the 
leading members of the .State Agricultural Society 
and a member of the ,Sl. .loseph's Mutual Fire In- 
surance Company, from which it will be seen that 
he is certuiidy very actively engaged in the inter- 
ests of the community. 

Kurthcrmore, in the matt«rof railroads Mr. Wat- 
kin- h!i.-i been no less interested. He aiiled larirelv 



in putting through this section of the county the St. 
Louis. Sturgis X- Battle Creek Railroad, and also 
the .Mr-Line Road. He now lives a retired life, 
and is enjoying the com])etencv he has accumulated 
and the well-nigh perfect health with which it is his 
happiness to be blessed, ami which wxsonly marred 
by the result fif an accident, that occurred at 
Leonidas, in the year 1H88. by which his left foot 
was cr\ishe(l. 

On the 2i;tli of October, 1841. the subject of our 
sketch and Miss Barbara K. Hill were unitefl in 
marriage. This lady is a native of Manchester, 
Ontario Co., N. Y.. where she was born Veb. 24, 
1821. There have been Ixjrn to them eiglit chil- 
dren, five of whom are living, viz: Edward W.. 
Marcus L.. Levi II.. lunery O. and Eva. Eva is 
the wife of Fred 15. Oreenleaf. Those deceiused are 
hia M.. Sarah and Marcia .\. Ida and Sarah died 
when }-oung: Marcia was born in 181 1, and died in 
1887. after a happy married life of .seven years. 
Her hiisb;iiid was I'hineas . I. Simons. 

Mr. Watkins is identified with the Masonic fr.a- 
ternity, and is a member of the Blue Lodge at 
Colon, the Centreville Chapter, and Three Rivers 
Comm.indery. He has been a member in good 
standing of the Methodist lOpiscopal Church since 
1846. !js li:is also his wife. Bi)th take the great- 
est possible interest in religious and educational 
institutions, and not infrequently liave they filled 
olliees in connection therewith. Politically, our 
subject is a stanch Republican. 



\|p^ LoN OLNEV. deceased. This gentleman 
Is was one of the worthy and esteemed citizens 
/** — ^ of I..eonidas Township. He was the son of 
the late .losejih Olney, and was born in Mendon 
Township, this county. Aug. 7. 1844. Hia early 
life was spent upon the farm, and he engaged in 
agriculture throughout his life. He w.as a man of 
shrewd intelligence, with a large capacity for work. 
jKi-sse-ssed of many social virtues, and a general 
favorite. .Mthough not a professor of religion, he 
was a nuin of high moral character. luid directe<l 
his life according to the precepts of Christianity. 
He had been careful Ui bring his farm t*) a high 



T 



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4. 



360 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



Hr 



state of cultivation, to liave it fully supplied with 
substantial buildings, and also provided for bis 
family a pleasant and c-omfortable home, lie was 
in the full prime of manhood when he was stricken 
by death, which was caused by measles. Tiiis sad- 
dening event came to his family on tlie loth of 
March. 1887. 

.M r. Olney was united in marriage, in Nottawa 
lownship. to ^Nlary Tost, on the 10th of Janu- 
ary. 1871. This excellent lady was the daughter 
and fourth child of Russell and Uuth (Trusdale) 
Post. who. after tlieir marriage, settled in NolUiwa 
Township. Mr. Post having come to this county 
and made it his home at a very early date. There 
he died in 1873. Their family included nine chil- 
dren, live of whom were sons. 

Mrs. Olney w.as born in Xottawa Township, 
Marcii 17, 1844. She was educated in the scliools 
of the district, and there made her home until her 
marriage. There have been given to our subject 
and his wife five children, whose names are recorded 
as follows: Sarah, (leorgiana. Leroy, Clarence and 
Glenn. 

When the dark cloud of bereavement overshad- 
owed tlie home, it w.is a soml)er background tliat 
only threw into more striking relief the character 
and m.Tny womanly virtues of Mrs. Olney. who. 
throughout all iier tri.als. exhiliited a most beauti- 
ful spirit of Christian patience and affectionate 
trust. 



^^KOROE 51. SIDES is identified witii tiie in- 
dustrial interests of St. .loscph County as a 
carriage painter, decorator and paper hanger, 
and is actively engaged at his tr.adc in Colon, where 
he is prospering, and has a plwisaut, attractive 
home. He is the son of Dr. Sides, whose biography 
appears on another page of this work. lie w.as born 
in l.cwistown. Pa., in 1850, and was but a boy of six 
years when he came with his parents to Michigan 
to settle in tlieir new home in Colon. lie was 
reared here and had the benefit of an education in 
the excellent schools of this town. He was of an 
independent, energetic turn of mind, and being 
an.\ious to make Ids own way in the world, when 
but fifteen years old commenced to learn the trade 



at which he is now engaged, and in 18G8 went to 
Three Rivers in |)ur,-uance of his lalling. In 1869 
he went to work for .Mr. Shepard, of Battle Creek, 
and remained in hisemplov for four years. He also 
worked for Upson it Rrown. of the same place, for 
two years. He then found employment iji the es- 
tablishment of E. Clapp, carriage-maker, of Battle 
Creek, with whom he staid for two and one-half 
j'ears. With all this exjjerience he became a su- 
perior workman, .and w.as highly prized by his 
employers for his intelligence, efiiciency and trust- 
worthiness. Mr. .Sides returned to Colon in 1882, 
and established himself at his trside, and has been 
working at it ever since. By his steady devotion 
to his business he has made monej-. for as an expert 
in his line his services are in constant demand, and 
he never fails to find work when others are forced 
to be idle. 

Mr. Sides has been twice married. His first wife, 
, to whom he was united in 1872. in Battle Creek, 
was Miss Cora Lobdell. a native of Battle Creek. 
She was born in 1850, the third in a family of four 
daughters of Jacob B.and Maria (Knapp) Lobdell. 
Her parents were natives of New York, and were 
among tlie early settlers of Battle Creek, wliere her 
father, who was known as a p.itent-rigiit man. fol- 
lowed his trade of eari)enter. The pleasant wedded 
life of our subject with his first wife was of brief 
duration, as she died Jan. 7, 1879, after lingering 
some fifteen months in consumption. She was a. 
lady of superior culture, a gr.aduate of the Battle 
Creek High School, and was conversant with the 
French and Germ.an Languages. She had a frank, 
generous disposition, .and was well beloved by all 
who knew her. Mr. Sides' second marriage, which 
occurred April 14. 1886. was to Miss Rebecca Lid- 
dlc. a native of Colon Township. Mrs. Sides was 
born in September, 1860, and wiis the fifth in a 
family of six children born to Gilbert .and Rebecca 
(Weston) Liddle. natives of ^leadvillc. Pa. They 
came to Michigan in the very early days of its set- 
tlement by the while man. Indi.ans still lingering in 
the country when they came. Detroit, then a small 
place, and Cleveland, Ohio, were the nearest towns. 
Mr. I-iddle settled on land which he procured from 
the Government, and from the primeval forest that 
then prevailed in this part of the State he built up 



-4^ 



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ST. .lOSKPU COUNTY. 



301 



4 



n lionio. IK' (lii'il in .Inly. 1MH4. at an adviinccil 
atr«. tlms ronndin-; ont a iisi-fnl and hnsy life. His 
wife rt'siik's on tiie old liomt'.'-tead in Colon. Mrs. 
Sides had two half-brotliers who took part iu the 
war. the Ilenrv .M. I.iddle Post, of Colon, being 
named iu lionor of one of them. .Mrs. .Sides is a 
woman of line character, of pleasing manners, and 
makes their home comfort.-ihle and cheery for her 
husband, and for their numerous friends, with 
whom they often share its hosi)italities. 

Mr. Sides stands higli in the estimation of his 
fellow-citizens, as he is a man of unexceptionable 
habits, of a sturdy and independent character, and 
in all the relations of life, as son. brother, husband, 
he is all that can I'c de.-ired. lie tJikes an intelli- 
gent interest in politics, and afllliates with the 
Republican party. 

^ ftllAAASl lllNKLK. deceased, who was a 
\ylJl/ '■'^*'''<^"^ ^^ Mendon Township since April, 
WW !>«>'.•. by his life of industry and econ- 
omy accumulated a comfortable property, and dur- 
ing his last years lived retired from active lal)or at 
his pleasant homestead on section 1(5. He owned 
about ninety-five acres of good laud, where he 
erected a substantial set of frame buildings, and 
gathered alxjut himself ami his family the thousand 
little comforts and cijuvenicnces so essential to their 
welfare and happiness. The household includes a 
highly intelligent wife .and three chiblren, all at 
home, forming a family grouji .imply worthy of rep- 
resentation in a work which will claim the attention 
of scores of the best citizens of this county, whose 
history it is designed to jx-rpetuate. In the years 
to come a future generation will turn these leaves 
with more than a passing interest, and note the 
names of those who have been prominent in the 
progress and development of St. Joseph County. 
.\mong them the Hinkle family will occupy their 
rightful |)o.->ition. 

Our subject was the scion of an excellent family, 
a native of Y»)rk County. I'a..and in wiiich county, 
when reaching man's estate, he formed the ac- 
quaintance of a mf>st estimable lady. Miss Matilda 
Hites, with whom he was united in marriage March 

4* 



21. IMII. .Mrs. Ilinklc wa.- a ii;)tivc of Crawford 
County, .'uid was born .March I. 1H2<I. They re- 
mained re^illents of their native State until IHiUi. 
making their home on a farm in llaylield Town- 
ship. Crawford County, afterward removing to 
Fairview Townshii>. Erie County, where our suli- 
ject engaged successfully in the pursuit of agricult- 
ure. In the spring of the year above mentioned, 
deciding to try the experiment of life in the West, 
they removed to Lagrange County, hid., where 
they sojourned a [x-rioil of three years. The spring 
of 1M()',) found them .settleil in .Mendon Township. 
this county, where they have since lived. 

Our sul)ject and his excellent wife watchcl 
with deep interest the growth and develoi)ment 
of Southern Michigan, and bore no unim])ort- 
ant part in l)ringing .Mendon Township to its 
present status, having built up one of the best 
farms within its limits, fulfilling the idea of the 
Sage of Cliappaiiua. that a moderate extent of land 
well cultivated is more desirable than a large area 
partially neglected. Their little farm is therefore 
more valuable than many embracing a larger acre- 
age. 

Mr. Hinkle. the eldest of nine children, was born 
in \\)rk C"ounty, I'a.. May 12. 1820. and was the son 
of Andrew and Catherine (.Sliue) Hinkle. who were 
akso natives of the Keystone State, the father being 
born in the eastern part, .\fter marriage the par- 
ents settled in York County, but later removed to 
Erie County, and after having lived in different 
l)lace.s in Pennsylvania, removed from Krie County 
to Lagrange County. Ind.. where the mother died 
about 1873. The father later came t<> the 'home 
of his son William in Mendon Township, where he 
sjX'Ut his last days, passing away alH>ut 18H4. There 
are living seven children of the |)arental family, 
most of them making their homes in the We.-^t. 

Mrs. Hinkle is the daughter of Jacob and Mary 
Hites. who were natives of Pennsylvania, and are 
now deceased. They spent the greater part of 
their lives in Crawfonl County. Pa. The home 
circle included eight children, five of whom are 
living. 

To .Mr. and Mrs. Hinkle there were l)orn nine 
children in Pennsylvania. Their sons an<l daugh- 
ters were named respectively: ,\ndrew .1., George 



;*^Hh-^ 



•^^i^Mi- 



362 



ST. .JOSEPH COUNTY. 



AV., ]Mary C JIartlia P., Jacob W.. Amos S., Ma- 
tilda A., Meliiida E. and Winfleld S. Tlie eldest is 
forty-three \'ears of age. and tlie yoiingcfft twenty- 
five. All are residents of Mendoii liiit three daugh- 
ters, who are married, and living in Iiuiinna. Ohio 
and California respectively. 

After his marriage, and wliile a resident of Erie 
County, Pa., Mr. llinkle suffered quite a loss in the 
destruction of his dwelling and liouseliold goods 
liy fire. During his early manhood lie learned tiie 
carpenter's trade, wliicli he followed a number of 
years, hut later preferred to give his attention to 
agricultural pursuits. lie cast iiis first Presidential 
vote for Henry Cla^-, being a member of the Whig 
party until identifying himself witli tlie Kepub- 
iicans, to whose princi[)les he gave his unqualified 
support. He held the minor otlices of his town- 
sliip. and was an active member of the Chris- 
tian Church for man^- years. A man ])rompt to 
meet his obligations, and one whose opinions are 
generally respect<>d, he formed one of the most im- 
portant factors of a community more than ordina- 
rily intelligent and progressive. Dec. i;5, 1888. 
he wa.s stricken with paralysis from whicli he never 
rallied, and peacefully passed aw.iy December 22. 
aged sixty-eight years, seven months and ten days. 



^1 OHN AV. HARUISON. a prorainentand well- 
I I to-do citizen of Florence Township, was for 
^,^1 : many 3'ears actively identified with its lead- 
{^/y ing interest, that of agriculture. He still 
retains a general supervision of his farm, on section 
21). which is justly considered one of the most 
valuable in the township, but he has retired from 
the more severe labors connected with its manage- 
ment, and he and his estimable wife are enjoj'ing 
the handsome competence that they have accu- 
mulated b^' their united labors. 

Mr. Harrison's father, .John Harrison, was early 
identified with the pioneers of St. Joseph Count}', 
and was for many years a leading citizen of Con- 
slantine, where he had a large farm, taking a con- 
spicuous part in public affairs, and doing a great 
deal toward its devekipmcnt. Our subject being 
reared amid the primitive scenes of pioneer life. 



has many interesting incidents to relate of the 
brave, sturd}'. generous, self-sacrificing people who 
first came here to subdue the i)rimeval forests of 
Southern Michigan, and on this rich soil build up 
homes for themselves, their children, ami their 
children's children. Many of them were jxior. and 
had a hard struggle for existence. Owing to the break- 
ing up of so much new land, the country was very 
unhealthful. which caused much sickness, and these 
people were very de|)eudent on each otiier. Not- 
withstanding the privations and hardships they had 
to undergo, they were uniformly cheerful, friendly 
I and s<jcial. and many were the good times that 
the}' contrived to have to lighten the tedium of 
life. The}' were contented, and made the best of 
their circumstiinces, and so it hajjpened that many 
of the leading people, even, went to church bare- 
footed, and the sensible women did not trouble 
themselves about the prevailing styles of bonnets, 
but wore handkerchiefs on their heads when they 
attended divine service. 

The parents of our subject were born in England, 
the former in the town of Waxholme, Nov. 6, 1796, 
and the latter in Hull, in 1792. They were mar- 
ried .Sept. 23, 181 i), in their native country, and 
continued to reside there for several years. In 
1835 they concluded to emigrate with their family 
to America, and after a voyage of seven weeks 
landed in New York, .•ind were soon after on a 
boat in the Erie Canal, that great highway of the 
Western pioneers, bound for Michigan, coming by 
way of the lakes from Buffalo to Detroit. Mr. 
Harrison left his family in that city, and taking a 
stage, crossed the intervening wild country to .St. 
Joseph County, where he bought a farm in Con- 
stantine Township, and then returned for his wife 
and children. After settling on his land, a part of 
which was imi)roved, he rented it until his sons 
were old enough to carry it on. In l!sG8 he sold 
his extensive and valuable farm and moved into 
the village of Constantine. About two years be- 
fore his death, which was Dec. 2. 1868, at the age 
of seventy-two years and twenty-five days, he dis- 
posed of his property, and spent his last days with 
his son, our subject. Mr. Harrison was a man 
whose high character, strong common sense and 
shrewdness made his presence in the councils of his 



r 



M^ 



ST. .lOSKPH COUNTY. 



3C.J 



fellow-townsmon itlmost iiiilispensable. anrl for six- 
teen yvars he was Supervisor of Constantine Tdwii- 
sliip. still retniniii;: that position after lie lieeaine a 
resident vf the village, ami, iiideefl, until nliout 
two years before his death, when lie came to Flor- 
ence to make his home with our subject. His wife 
passed away in ConsUintine, Mich.. Oct. 2.5, 1800. 
They had five chililren, four of whom were livini^ 
when they came to America, as follows: Eleanor, 
born July .i, 182.5, died in Florence, .Ian. 25, l«oO; 
.lohn William, the subject of this sketch, born Nov. 
25, 1828;Thomas, born .Sept. 12. 1H30, lives in Con- 
stantine; Mansfield, born Jan. 25, 1835, died Feb. 
8, 1851. 

John W. Harrison, of this sketch, was reared in 
Constantine on the old homestead, and the pioneer 
influences that he obtained in the early days of his 
youth molded his character into boldness, strength 
antl self-reliance, whereby he has been enabled to 
make his own way in the world, and attain to a po- 
sition of jirominence in its social and business cir- 
cles, MS represented in .Southern .Michigan. He re- 
mained in his father's home in Constantine Town- 
ship until he was married, Aug. 23, 1854, being the 
date of that important step in his life. He was 
then united to Miss Ellen, daughter of John and 
Mary Burnham, natives of England. The father 
was bom in Yorkshire, in 1800, and the mother in 
England, in 1803. They migrated to this country 
and settled in St. Joseph County, in 1831, and here 
the father died Aug. 28. 1832. a few weeks after 
his arrival in this country. His wife died Jan. 28, 
1853. They had two children, the wife of our 
subject, and Anna, who was born June 22, 1831. 
became the wife of Henry Sevison, and died Feb. 
7, 1857. Mrs. Harrison was born in England, April 
28. 1829. The plcasJint home circle of herself and 
her husband is completed by the presence of the 
three sons and three daughters who have blessed 
their union, of whom the following is recorded: 
John B., born April 4, 1858; Edward, Aug. 23, 
1800; William, March 27. 1803; Mary Eleanor, 
April 25, 1805; Annie Elizabeth, Vvb. 14, 1808; 
Minnie, Oct. 28, 1871. 

After marriage Mr. Harrison com menccd farming 
on the farm he still owns. It comprises 200 acres 
of as fertile and highly productive land as is to be 

4* 



found in the county ; is amply supplied with sub- 
stantial buildings and faini machinery, and is well 
stocked, as he has devoted much time to that branch 
of agriculture, although not to the neglect of his 
grain fields, where he has reaped many abundant 
harvests. He has now retired from the active la- 
bors of farm life, merely supervising ami planning 
the work to be done. His long residence in this 
country has given him a wide experience in farm- 
ing, and he has witnessed many changes, noticeably 
in the wonderful improvement of the machinery 
which so lightens the labors of the farmers. He 
remembers when wheat in the early times com- 
manded |$3 a bushel, and the holders would not 
let it go out of the county, but kept it for their 
neighbors who had none. 

Mr. Harrison and his famil}' are members of the 
Reformed Chur'-.li of Constantine, and they are 
ever foremost in all the good and charitable works 
that are carried forward in this community. Mr. 
Harrison is accounted one of Florence's most re- 
liable and trustworthy citizens, and he has been 
called upon to fill some of its most responsible of- 
fices, lijiving been .Supervisor and Highway Com- 
missioner. He IS a prominent member of the social 
organizations of the F. & A. M.. and of the P. of 
H. In politics he is a thorough Republican. 

GEORGE W. .SPALSBURV, M. D., whose 
1! ^w? *'^'" '" '"''* profession is attested by the 
^^ll many patients who seek his aid, was born in 
Kingston, Canada, on the 1 1 th of March, 1821. 
While he was yet an infant his parents removed to 
Jefferson County, N. Y., and there are laid the 
scenes of his childhood, youth and early manhood. 
He attended the common schools, and afterward 
took a course in the High School, which occupied 
him until he was about twenty years of age. From 
eighteen to twenty-four years of age he was en- 
gaged in teaching school during the winter seasons, 
anci showed no little talent in that direction. 

In 1 843 the subject of our sketch began the study 
of meilicine, reading first with Prof. Amasa Trow- 
bridge, of Watertown, X. Y. He remained with 
that gentleman for about three years, during which 



f 



JL 



<•■ 



3(U 




ST. .JOSEPH COUNTY. 



time, however, he atteiKled lectures at Willoiighl)y, 
Ohio, .iiiii a second course at Berkshire Medical 
Coilfge. at rittsfield. from which institution he was 
graduated in the fall of 1847. 

The Doctor first 0|)ened an ofHce in Lodus, Wayne 
Co.. N. Y.. where he remained until the year 
18.')0. and then removed to Three Rivers, in this 
Stale, entering into partnership witli Dr. S. L. Her- 
rick, and continued in that relation for about a 
year and a half. In the spring of IHiVJ he came to 
Leonidas Township, where he has been ever since, 
actively engaged in the pr.acticc of his profession. 
lie is everywhere highl3' esteemed as a physician, 
and enjoys the full confidence of the people. 

In .September, 1851, the subject of our sketch 
was married, in Lodus, X. Y., the ladj* who gave 
him her hand upon that occasion being Miss Silbj' 
Ann White, who was born in Columbia C(»niity, N. 
Y. She has become the mollier of three children, 
whose names are: Klla, now Mrs. Eugene D. Barron, 
of Three Rivers, and DeWitt and Dtiane. who are 
twins. Duane is at Kalamazoo, where he is engaged 
in learning the drug business. His brother is a 
stuilent in tiie dental department in the Universiti' 
of Ann Arbor. 

Dr. Spalsbury is the seconil in a family of eight 
children, six of whom were sons, and all of whom 
are living. Although he has made his way thus far 
in his profession, enjoying a large and lucrative 
practice, and is honored in the community, he is 
not idle, but gives good attention to the keeping 
up of his medical studies, so that he may be abreast 
of the times in the treatment of his patients. 

„ : :i^W^^r. : ■ 

■IP^iOHERT S. (iKll-'l-TTli is an honored citizen 
'L^Y of Fabius Township, with whose agricult- 
^^\ ural interests he is i)rominently identified, 
^^both as a farmer and a stock-raiser, lie 
is the owner of one of the valuable farms' for which 
this .section is somewhat noted. It is finely located 
on .section 18. and its well-tille<l. productive acres 
have amply repaid the care and money that he has 
be-stowed upon them. 

.Mr. (Jritlith wju; Ixirn in Hnckingham Township. 
Kucks Cf).. l*a.. .Tan. 11. 1824. and is a son of 



Joseph and Mary (.Scarborough) (oillitli. the father 
a native of Wales, and the mother of that part of 
I'ennsylvania included in William I'enn's grant. 
The mother wa-; of (Quaker antecedents, her people 
belonging to that denomination, and her ancestry 
coming from England to .settle in Pennsylvania at 
an early day in its colonial history. They had a 
family of thirteen children, of whom our subject 
w.as the eldest. He w.<is reared on a farm and received 
the benefit of a f.air education, such a.s his father 
could afford to give him in those days, before free 
schools were known. lie worked by the month some 
before he wjus allowed to start out in life for him.-^elf. 
Being an active, enterprising youth, at the age of 
nineteen be bought his time of his father, paying him 
the sum of ^125. He wiis inarrieil. Man-b 'id. 
18.51, to Miss Susan Cox. daughter of .lonas and 
Elizabeth (Larue) Cox. Folk)wing is a short 
chronological record of her parents and their cliil- 
dren: .lonas (ox was born on tlic I.Mli (la\' of 
October. 17!)7. Elizabeth Larue w.a^ liorn on the 
20th day of August. 17!t7. They were united in 
marriage at Fallsington. Bucks Co.. Pa., on the 15th 
of April. 181!). .lonas Cox died on the li)th of 
December. 18H4. Elizabeth, his wife, survived 
him many years, dying on the lltb of May. I8(;<». 
Their union wji.s productive of eight children, as 
follows: .Sarah was born on the 7th of February. 
1820, and died on tlie Idtli of March, 1845; .John 
L. w.as born on the 17th of .Inly. 1821 ; Hannah, on 
the 1st of September. 182;5: Elhvood. on the 2itth 
of M,ay. 1825; Mary Ann L.. <m the l.'Uh of Feb- 
ruary. 1827; .Sus.anna. wife of our subject, on the 
.3()th of March. 182;); Samuel L. w.t, born <m the 
8th of .Tune. 1831. and died on the 20th of Septem- 
lier. 1833; Elizabeth was born on the 30th of 
March. 1834. .Tohn L. Cox married Catherine 
Ililes. who w.a..i born on the 27th of .\prit. 1838. 
Two children have been born of that marriage: 
•Toseph. on the lUli of Miiy. 1858. and Charles W., 
on the 28tb of September, 1863. 

For two years after his marriage our subject 
was emi)loyed a-s a day laliorer. He was economical 
and thrifty, and carefully saving his earnings 
bought a horse, and went into debt for another, 
and thus equipped rented some Land and w.as in- 
dustriously eng.aged in farming it for four years. 



-5^1^ 



«» m ^^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



•9^ 



365 






At tlu' i-xpirnlion of tli.-it time he liad saved 
Itl.irtO, lii'sidi's owning' some j>ersoiial properly, 
sueli as liouseliold <roods. In 1><.")7 lie eoncluded 
to try ntrrieultural piii>iiits on llic misurpassinjrly 
fertile soil of St. .losepli County, in tliis State, of 
wliieli he had heard many jjlowiiifj accounts. .Vfter 
his arrival herewith his family he purchased 111 
acres of land, one and one-half miles east of Three 
Hivers, and there he lived until 1878. For a time 
he was very i)rosperous and made money fast. 
Durinjr tlie war he huilt a handsome and commo- 
dious house at a cost of %l,(l(IO. hut afterward 
came the financial panic, times were hard, and the 
expense that he had lieen at in improving his place 
proved too heavy a burden, and he was obliged to 
dispose of his (iroperty to pay his debts. After 
having honorably discharged every floUar of his 
indebtedne.s.*. he found that he had about $1,200 
left with which to start life anew. lie then bought 
his jjresent farm, which, with the same indefatigable 
industry that ha.-* always characterized him. he has 
improved into one of the best places in the neigh- 
borh<Hi<l. It comi)rises 100 acres of fertile soil, 
well adapt<'d to both the raising of grain and cattle 
Over the ple^isant household of our subject the 
shadow of death fell Nov. 24. 1887, and the de- 
voted wife and tender mother was removed from 
the scene of her usefulne,ss. .She was a woman 
whose sincerity, tact, and great goodness of char- 
acter, made her beloved by all who knew her. and 
in her death the comnninity lost one who.se place 
will be hard to till. Although she dedicated her 
life to her duties as a wife and a mother, she w.os 
ever ready to respond to the needs of others out- 
side of the home circle, and her memory will be 
fondly cherished by relatives, friends and neigh- 
bors. The Methodist Kpiscopal Church, of which 
she was a member from the time she was thirteen 
years of age. lost in her a bright and shining 
light. Kight children were born of her marriage 
with our subject, of whom .seven are living, namely: 
Mary .Vnna. lM)rn March 28, 1«;)2. is the wife of 
.Joseph Fisher, of Park Township, an<t has four 
children living; .Sarah I,.. Imrn Dec. 12, 18.'».S. died 
Dec. 2."». 1871; Kliza C.. born March i:». 18.-)(). is 
the wife of Frank Dougherty, lives with her father, 
and has one child; .John Cox. born March 6. 1858. 



is married to Minnie Cox, has one cliihl. and lives 
on the home farm; Lizzie, born Oct. 1!(, 18(;ii. is 
the wife of Mills Howard, of Cass County, Mich., 
and lias one child; William A., bom .lune (5. 
18(;;{. is at |>resent working by the month; Rachel, 
born .lune 24. 18()5. lives at Three Rivers; Katie 
M., born .Ian. I.'!. 1868. is her father's housekeeper. 
.Mr. Orillith is a thoroughly upright, conscien- 
tious man, one in whom his neighbors place the 
highest confidence. He is a sincere and earnest 
Christian, and for twenty years has been a member 
of the Jletliodist Kpiscopal Church. He takes a 
deep interest in improving the agricultural meth- 
ods of to-d.iy, and is a valued member of the 
grange. Politically, he sympathizes with the Re- 
jjublican party, and has always voted the Kepub- 
lican ticket. .Apropos to the past camiiaign and 
his party candidate. Mr. (iriltith says he well re- 
members taking part in the "log cabin and hard 
cider" campaign of 1840. although he was not old 
enough to vt)te. He has never .sought <itlice, al- 
though he h.ts served very .tcceptably on the 
School Hoard. Mr. (iriHith was drafted into the 
I'nion .\rmy in 18(;i. the last draft in the district. 
Hegave?i20(i toward providing a sulistitute. the 
town giving the balance and tilling its quota. 

■.-.^ * 



■fyOSIAS SIMPSON is one of the well-kn(.wn 
1 I farmei-s of Leoniilas Township, and ()i)erat<.'s 
500 acres of lanil as a general farmer. His 
father, whose name was identical with that 
of our subject, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, 
as W!is also his mother, whose maiden name was 
Ellen Cuddy. They were married in the year 1829, 
in their native county, and emigrated to America 
in 1854. coming ilircct to Michigan and settling in 
Lconidas Township. Here they made their home 
for the remainder of their lives. The mother of 
our suliject died on the 5th of September, 185.s, 
and the father on the 2.'!d of .January. 1877. Their 
family included nine children. 

The subji'ct of our sketch was llie youngest of 
the family of which he was a member, and was 
born on the olh of .Mav, 1830. in County Tyrone. 




J. 



^*- 



366 




ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



Since coming to this country he lias lived in 
the above townsliip. From his youth he has been 
connected with fanning and farm life, and his 
l)roperty is one of the finest in the district, his 
buildings, fields and pastures all revealing the fact 
that a master hand has been at work. 

The township offices have been held by our sub- 
ject, that of Supervisor for three years. He was 
elected Justice of the Peace, but did not qualify. 
Mr. Simpson has taken a great interest in educa- 
tional affairs, and h.as held several offices in con- 
nection therewith. He is one who enjo3's the entire 
confidence of Ills fellows, an<l as a result has been 
asked to serve in the offices held by liini. 

Mr. Simpson was married in Centreville. on the 
1st of January, 1857, the lad^' of his choice being 
Miss Jane Gibson, daughter of J<jhn and Margaret 
(Moore) Gibson, both of whom were natives of 
County Tyrone, and representatives of good old 
Irish families. They emigrated to America in 
June, 18,i0, and settleil in New York Stale, com- 
ing to this county in April of the ^-ear 1853. 
They located in Nottawa Township, and there 
made their home. 

The l)irth of the wife of our subject occurred on 
the 2.sih of September, 1827, in County TjTone. 
Her marriage with our subject has been very happy, 
wliicli ha()piness has been in nowise diminished i)j' 
the birth of five children, whose names are: Ellen 
M., Mary I.; Sarah J., now the wife of James Eth- 
vine, of Nottawa Township; William and James A., 
both of whom reside at home. Mr. and Mrs. Simp- 
son arc in accord with the religious views embodied 
in the Congregational Church, and are members of 
that communion. Their children have been brought 
up according to the same teaching, and are some- 
what attached to the church. 




ATTIIIAS BECKER PUTNAM stands 

u among the foremost of the agriculturists of 



St. Joseph County who have been instru- 
mental in building up its great farming in- 
terests. He is a prominent citizen of ConsUintine 
Township, where he owns a large farm ou section 
36, and is extensively engaged in agriculture. He 



has one of the finest residences in the township, 
and his home is very attractive. ^Ir. Putnam is 
the son of a pioneer family well known iiere in 
early times, and our subject, though but nine 
years of age when he accompanied his parents to 
their new home in the forest depths of Southern 
Michig.an, may well he denominated a pioneer him- 
self. He has been a dweller in St. Joseph County 
and Ccmstantine Township. l)oy and man. for over 
fifty years, and in that time has witnessed the won- 
derful change that has been brought about by the 
energy and indomitable perseverance of the early 
pit)neers and tlieir successors, rendering this one of 
the richest and most prosperous farming regions in 
the country, with extensive commercial interests 
and tloiirishing towns and cities. It must be a 
ple.xsant thought to him that he has materially con- 
tributed to this prosperity. 

Our subject was born in Johnstown, Montgomery 
Co., N. Y.. March 17. 1827, and was theseventhof 
tlie eight cliildren. four sons and four daughtei-s. 
born to Peter V. and JIaria (Becker) Putnam. His 
parents were also natives of Montgomery County, 
and were born respectively in Johnstown and 
Florida Township. They married and settled down 
in their native county, and there all of their chil- 
dren were born. In August, 1836, they broke up 
their *)ld home, and with tlieir family came to St. 
Joseph County, Mr. Putnam having the April pre- 
vious visited this part of Michigan, and purchased 
a tract of land in the southeastern jtart of Constan- 
tine, paying therefor $12.50 an acre. He and his 
wife made their home here the remainder of their 
lives, he dying in November. 18.J8. and she several 
years prior to that date. 

Matthias Putnam was a lad of nine years when he 
accompanied his parents to this .State, consequently 
most of liis life h.as been passed here, and he has 
been as much interested in the progress and growth 
of the commonwealth of Michigan .as if he were 
native and to the manor born. He was reared on a 
farm, and in the [lioneer influences that obtained in 
his early home here grew to be a vigorous, self- 
helpful and capable young man. He adopted the 
calling to which he was reared, and in following ag- 
riculture has accumulated considerable wealth. He 
owns 300 acres of valuable land all in one bodv in 






-4»- 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



■«► 



367 



CoiK-it-aiiline Townsliip. and lins it un<l»>r fmr ciilti- 
vntioii. !*ii]>|)lit'<l witli siihstanliMl Mini coininoilinus 
buililiii«rs ft)r!ill pui'iiost'S. and the niojit aiiprovcd 
farm machinery for lightening hilmr. 

Mattliias I'utnam and Miss Sarali A. Dickinsoii 
were united in marriage Oct. 12, l><o!l. the cere- 
mony being performed in Florence Township. Mrs. 
Putnam is in nianj- respects a superior woman, and 
she presiiles witli ciiaracteristic graciousncss over 
her and her husband's commodious and well-ap- 
pointed home, dispensing its hospitalities with a 
free hantl and a happy heart, and she is warmly 
seconded in her efforts to entertain friends or 
strangers wlio mav come to tiiem by lier iiusband 
and family. ^Irs. I'utnam. who wa.s born in Flor- 
ence Township, this county. March 11. 1^*37. was 
the eldest of the five children, tiiree sons and two 
daughters, born to George and Sarah (.lohnson) 
Dickinson, natives of Yorkshire, Kngland. Her 
fatlier came to America when he was sixteen years 
old, and in \M2 came to Michigan, and w.-is a pio- 
neer of White Pigeon. His wife came to this 
country in lH:i;?. and they were married in tiie town 
of Gilead, liranch County, near the residence of 
Gov. Luce, in 1IS36. They began their married life 
in Florence Township, .and. indeefl. continued it 
there until death did part them, he dying -M.ay 3. 
18(51, and she .Ian. 12. 18(57. .Mrs. l)ickin.son h.ad 
l)een twice married, and at the time of her marriage 
to (ieorge Dickinson was the widow of .lohn How- 
man, who died in England. 15y that marriage she 
had one child. Mary, who died in 18(5^ at White 
Pigeon; she was the wife of .lohn .1. Davis. IJy 
her marriage with Mr. Dickinson she had five chil- 
dren, viz: (ieorge. a farmer in FUirence Townshii): 
Anna, wifeof Charles Kellogg, of tlic same township; 
Richard, in White Pigc<in Township; Charles, also 
in Florence, and Mrs. Putnam. Mr. and Mrs. Put- 
nam are the |Kirents of .mx children: .Vnna. who 
lives at home; .Maria, who dieil when about two 
years and a half old; Mary. Nellie. (Jeorge and 
•John. Tiieir daughter Mary w:is marric<l at tlieir 
residence. Dec. .^. 188M. t«» Frank I'. Hotchin. of 
Florence Townsliip. !in<l tlicre was a l.-irgc gather- 
ing of friends to witness the impressive ceremony. 
.Mr. Putnam is a man of clear head and sagacious 
judgment, and |x>ssesses weight and influence in 




the affairs of this community, with which his in- 
terests have been bound up so long. No one is 
more liberal ami public-spirited than he in encour- 
aging the various schemes for the benefit of tlie 
township and county. an<l he is thoroughly re- 
spected for tho.se characteristics that mark the true 
man and honest citizen. He has been School Di- 
rector for many years, and li:is held some of the 
minor ollices. In politics he casts his vote with the 
Democratic party. Mrs. Putnam is a consistent 
member of the Metliodisl Episcopal Church, and 
has been for upward of thirty years. 



AMUEL KLADV. The subject of this 
sketch is one of those who have achieved 
the goal after years of toil, labor and anx- 
iety, and all the attendant incidents of a 
busy life, and now has retired from active service, 
residing in the village of Nottawa. He h,is been 
engaged in the peaceful pursuits of an agriculturist 
since his advent here, in 1H;J7, while Miciiigan was 
still a Territory. Although now retired from the 
active ihilies devolving upon a farmer, he is one of 
those men whose intimate knowleiige of his calling 
and success in the same are worthy of mention in 
connection with any volume treating of the town- 
ship. 

The ancestry of an iiulividiial is next in impor- 
tance to his own personality, and can never be prop- 
erly omitted from the record of his life. Our 
subject's father. Isaac Klady. was a native of the 
(.Quaker Slate, while his mother, whose maiden name 
was .Mary Morgan, named New .lersey as the State 
of her nativity. Isaac Kl.ady looked his Inst upon 
the scenes of earth in Livingston County. N. Y., 
whence he had removed with his family. The 
mother joiirneyeil westward after the death of her 
husbnnd to this county, and iiinde her home with 
her son until her death. 

The parental family of our subject numbere<l 
eight chihlreu. five sons and three daughters, of 
whom Samuel was the eldest. Consequently, upon 
the death of the father a great deal of the respon- 
sibility of the family fell upon the shoulders of the 



■4•- 



-•► 



JL 



<^ 



368 




ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



oldest son. He was born Maj- 15, 1806, in Cayuga 
Count3'. N. Y., in wliicli place he lived until attain- 
ing the age of twenty years. Livingston County, 
however, held out greater|] inducements than he 
could hope for in his native county, whence we find 
him migrating. So correct did his foresight in 
regard to Iiettering his condition prove, that he re- 
mained in Livingston County until 1837, being en- 
gaged in tl)e meanwhile upon a farm. At the ex- 
piration of that time, however, feeling that the 
largely undeveloped State of Michigan would prove 
an excellent field to carve out for himself a financial 
prosperil}', he migrated hither, locating in Nottawa 
Township. Kor was Mr. Klady in the least mis- 
taken in selecting Michigan as his future home, as 
the reader will see that he began with practically 
nothing, and whatever has been attained is the re- 
sult of his earnest, miinly efforts, which have, how- 
ever, been supplemented by the faithful affection 
and counsel of his devoted wife. 

In 1S52, Mr. Klady desiring to see something of 
the farther West, crossed the plains to the Pacific 
Slope, remaining there five j'ears, when he retraced 
bis steps to this county, and with that one excep- 
tion has been a resident here since his first advent 
into the county in 1837. As before stated, our 
suliject has always been engaged in the cultivation 
of the soil, and is the prt)prietor of a tract of 17!) 
acres, which, although not very extensive, it is to 
be doubted if any in the county is more perfect in 
its operations and workings. 

Mr. Klatly, in August, 1888, had the dire mis- 
fortune to lose his house b,v fire. In the fall of the 
same year, however, he erected a beautiful dwelling 
on the old site, complete with nil iniub'ni improve- 
ments and conveniences, and which is not only a 
credit to its proprietor, but something to be ad- 
mired by the entire county. He was married in 
Kew York City, to Miss Mary Sisco, and to them 
were born two children, William K. and Charles J., 
the former of whom died in Washington Territory, 
when twenty-four years old, and the latter died in 
infancy. The mother of these chihlren died at her 
home in Nottawa Township, Aug. 1,, 18.47. Mr. 
Klad}' was a second time married, at Centreville, 
this State, to Mrs. Jane Heed, the wedding being 
celebrated Nov. 13, 1860. Mrs. Klady was the 



widow of William A. Reed, by whom she had four 
children, three dying in infancy. The remaining 
child, a son, William M., died in Centreville when 
a 3'oung man. 

The parents of Mrs. Klady were Richard and Han- 
nah Keeler. The father departed this life in Erie 
County, Ohio. The mother survived her husband 
many years, and passed from this life in Nottawa 
Township, in the fall of 1885. The wife of our sub- 
ject was born in Hopewell, N. J., June 30, 1812. Mr. 
Klady has served his township in the capacity of 
Constable and Justice of the Peace, and on all mat- 
ters of political interest takes his stand with the 
Democratic party, but never at the expense of prin- 
ciple. He is a friend to good morals, and anxious 
to do all in his power as a citizen to further the in- 
terests of his community. 



UILI.IA.M II. STEAK.S. Prominent .among 
the native-born citizens of ^Michigan who 
W^ are now some of the most active meinbers 
of its agricultural community, is the subject of this 
biographical record. He was liorn in Florence 
Township. July 4, 1854, and is now one of the lead- 
ing farmers and stock-raisers of his birthplace, own- 
ing and occupying as fine a fai'm as can be found 
in this locality. He is a son of Thomas Stears, a 
prominent pioneer of St. Joseph, whose sketch ap- 
pears on another p.age of this voluinc. Our sub- 
ject wa^ reared on the old homestead in this town, 
and was carefully instructed by his father in all the 
details of farming, so that when he h.ad to choose 
his life work he naturallj' preferred the iiursuit of 
agriculture. He received a substantial education 
in the i)ublic schools of Florence, and lived under 
the parental roof u^itil twenty-two years of age. 
He then, in 1876. came to take possession of his 
present farm on sections 32 .and 33. one of the 
ple.a.<.antest and most valuable sites in the neighbor- 
hood. He immediately entered upon its improve- 
ment, and with persistent energy and skill has 
brought his land under high cultivation. He li.as 
his farm well stocked with stock of good grades, 
as he pays much attention to that branch of agri- 




n 



1 






-^^ 



4^ 



ST. .lOSKPlI COUNTY. 



.171 



culture, as well as to raising grain and other farm 
produi-t-s. His liuildings are all in good order, and 
adapted to their various uses, and he has a good 
,sii|>|)ly of inaehinerv for carrying on his farming 
operations. 

Mr. Stears was married in Florence Township. 
Dee. 13, 1876, to Miss .Mar_\ . daughter of Henry 
Sevison, of Florence Township, whose sivetch will 
lie found on onothcr jiage of this work. Mrs. 
Stears is likewise a native of Florence Township, 
her liirth occurring here Dec. 13, 1J556. Slie was 
educated in the i)ublic schools here, and is an intel- 
ligent and well-l)re<l lady, whose kind liospitality. 
together with her husband's genial courtesy, makes 
their home one of tlie most attractive in the com- 
munity. One child. Thomas H.. w.is born to them 
Dec. 23. 1879. 

Mr. Stears has shown himself to be a man of 
much decision of character, prompt and capable in 
the management of hi,s business affairs, and a thor- 
oughly practical and systematic farmer, who is 
meeting with deserved success in his calling, and 
will undoubtedly be counted among the monej'ed 
men of the county in the course of a few years if 
he continues to pmsper. and he has the good wishes 
of many friends that he may do so. As an intelli- 
gent citizen should lie takes much interest in poli- 
ti<'s, and is an ardent supinirter of the Democratic 
jmrty. He is identified with the T. of H. Mr. and 
Mrs. .Stears are earnest Christians, who strive to do 
their duty in their home and towaril their neigh- 
bors, and they are members of the Reformed Church 
at CV>nstantine. 



J AMKS JOHNSON i> ..n.- ..1 the represent- 
I ative citizens in this county, and held in 
I high regard by all who know him. He i.s 
' one of that mast a|)preciable class of citi- 
zens who hail from the IJuckeye State. He was 
born in .Somerset. Fairfield Co.. Ohio, on the 22d 
of February. 1814. He is the son of James and 
.Sarah (Schaefer) Johnson, natives respectively of 
Maryland and Pennsylvania. 

Our subject was brought up on a farm, and ainid 
surroundings of an agricultural nature. He came 
to Mieliigau. and in April. 1832. located at Sturgis. 



taking the land that wa.s then the wildest prairie, 
but which is now one of the best cultivate*! and 
most productive farms in the county, and owned 
by Mr. Peter Hakcr. In 1862 he removed to his 
present farm, part of which is on the Fawn Hiver. 
comprising 2.")() acres, and 140 acres in IJurr O.ak, 
sixty-five acres located near the Sturgis Pike, and 
130 acres at Hronson. He Iuls always been very 
active a.s a business man. and has been very suc- 
cessful. He made his first start as contractor on 
the Chicago Turiii)ikc. with which enterprise he was 
connected from 1832 until 1836. Since that time 
he has been continuously and extensively engaged 
in the lumber business and agricultural pursuits. 
The years 18.53 and 18.54 were spent in California, 
where he was engaged in mining. His interests as 
a lumberman have been chiefly in Kent County, of 
this State. There, in 188i), he sustained a loss b^- 
fire of iaO.OOO. He still has extensive yards at 
Mcndon, in this county. He has the reputation of 
being one of tlie pioneers, and perhaps the most 
prominent of pioneers, in that industry in Michi- 
gan. 

The marriage of our subject was celebrated on 
the 19th of February. 1839. the lady of his choice 
being Miss Jane Moe. the daughter of Charles 
and Maranda Moe. the former one of the venerable 
pioneers of Sturgis. This lady was born in Ashta- 
bula County. C)hio, on the 5th of September. 1820. 
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have no children of their 
own. but have furnished home and educational 
opportunities to others, and aided them to start in 
life. Their home is very pleasantly located on the 
Chicago Turni)ikc. about four miles east of Sturgis. 
They live a comiiaratively retired life, but are very 
highly esteemed throughout the county. 

.Mr. .bthnson is a man well informed on all gen- 
' eral subjects, and broad and liberal in his religious 
views, believing that true Christianity consists in a 
large measure of doing unto others as you would 
have them do unto you. He has been particularly 
fortunate in his selection of a life partner. .Mr. and 
Mrs. J. seeming most admirably adapted to e,ich 
other. They have trodden the path of life together 
for a period t>f fifty years, sharing each other's joys 
and sorrows, and. if appearances are correct, mak- 
ing it the study of their lives each to insure the 



T^::^^ 



•^1^^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



.^t^ 



liappiness and comfort of the other. They appear 
more like a newly weclded couple than ]jcople who 
have sjient so manj- years together, apparently as 
careful and considerate toward each other as in 
the daj's of their early wedded life. Few homes 
are more pleasant to look ujion, hoth within and 
without, and the sunset hill of life for Mr. and 
Mrs. Johnson seems to be a very pleasant and easy 
path. They are surrounded by hosts of friends, 
whom tiiey have made by their uniform iiospitality 
and kindness, and who will recall their names with 
affection lontr after thev have departed lience. 

It is eminently fitting that the portraits of Mr. 
Johnson and his estimable wife should be presented 
in this volume as the representatives of all that is 
reliable, worthy and good, and >ve are pleased to 
be able to perpetuate their features in this manner. 



^^^HSAMUS C. M. BATES. Among the jjromi- 
nent and successful farmers residing within 
the limits of this county, the name of our 
subject holds a jjroud pl.icc. His handsome and 
highly improved farm is located on section \'2. 
C'onstantine Townsliip. He is a husbandman of 
niudi ability, and keeiisliis home in tliebest cc>ndi- 
tion. and lias from the beginning of his agricultural 
life m.ide the business a study, and reduced it to a 
science. He was born in IJcnnington County', Vt., 
Feb. 21, 1806. He lived in his native State until 
lie was nine years old, wlien his parents witii their 
family moved to Middlesex, Yates Co., N. Y., where 
ho lived until, in Scpt^mlicr. I8.'53, he came to St. 
.loseph County, and settled in this township, first 
on a farm on section 1, wliicii lie yet owns. Nine 
years later he bought his present home.<tead of 108 
acres, on sections 12 and 13. on which he lias ever 
since lived. 

Mr. Bates was married to Sarah .M. Harwood, in 
September, 18.'H, just prior to his leaving for the 
West. This l.ndy was a native of Vermont. Tliey 
were married in (iorliam. Ontario Co.. N. Y. Siie 
was a refined and higiily educated lady, and in all 
things proved to be a helpmate to her husliand.and 
a prudent and careful adviser. She iiad a great 
pride in her family of children, and carefully in- 



structed them in their early childhood in the ways 
of uprightness, honor and virtue. Siic was .attacked 
wiUi tiiat dread disease, consumption, and departed 
tills life Jan. 5, 1875, leaving her husband and a 
family of five children behind her. Each and all 
revere the memory of the wife and mother. The 
children were named: Philorman B.. Esther M., 
Kachel M.. Bradford L., jVvis R. and Orsamus M. C. 
Philorman B. is a fanner residing on the home 
farm in Constantine; Esther is the widow of A. Sel- 
leck; Uachel is the wife of George Kinney, and 
resides in Sumner County, Kan.; Bradford died 
before his mother, when he was six months ol(l; 
Avis is a farmer in Sumner Count}', Kan, ; Orsamus 
M. ('.. Jr.. resides with his father in Constantine 
Townshi]). 

The father of our subject. Caleb Bates, was horn 
in Bennington County, Vt.; his mother w.as Hachel 
(Milliiigton) Bates, and was a native of Vermont. 
Both parents were earnest, thorough-going, jn-os- 
perous people, looking well to all the details of 
life, which quality thev transmitted to our subject. 
His grandparents. Joshua and Avis (.Sherman) 
Bales, were natives of the State of Rhode Isl- 
and, find before the War of the Revolution re- 
moved to Vermont, in Bennington Count}', where 
both died. The night liefore the battle of Bunker 
Hill Joshua Bates was emplo3"edin running bullets, 
expecting to take part in the fight, but got to the 
field as the battle closed. 

Since his settlement in Michigan, which w;i:5 at a 
very early day in the histor}' of the State. Mr. 
Bates h.os brought into pl.ay the many sterling quali- 
ties inherited from his New England parents, and by 
close application and the exercise of an indomitalile 
will and perseverance, he h.is gathered about him n 
snug competence and all the comforts of life, and 
now, when he has reached the evening of life, he 
can look about him and feel tli.it the world is better 
for his liaving lived in it. Always generous and 
l)ublic-spirited. the various interests that have ad- 
vanced the .State to its present proud position have 
found in him an earnest and hearty supporter. 

In jiolitical matters our subject has always acted 
with the Republican party, feeling th.at it has for 
its object the advancement and enlightenment of 
the masses. He has taken a prominent and active 

■» 



ST. JOSKPII COUNTY. 



a7;3 



part in tlie educational interests of the townsitip, 
and lins made them bear the im[)ress of his indi- 
vidnality and force of character. Durinsr his life 
in Micliiiian .Mr. IJates has liad a varied experience, 
can recall many successes and in.'iny failures, many 
joys and many plcusures. In the earliest days he 
suffered discomforts from sickness and pt)verty. 
liut the trials incident to the life in a new country' 
were borne by himself anil wife with fortitude, as 
he felt assured in his own mind that the time would 
come when lie would be relieved of the burdens 
then imposed. Ilf)W well his fcelinir was jiistitie<l. 
it needs but a glance about him to witness. 

The residence of our subject is finely situated, 
and In its outward appearance is one of the most 
elep;aiit in the township. The interior is handsomely 
furnished, is large and roomy, the ideal American 
country home. The grounds surrounding tlie house 
arc large, and are ornanieuteil wiih a number of 
trees, shrubbery, flowers and bcaulifiil wjilks. The 
other farm buildings, barns, granaries, etc.. are ex- 
tensive, well designed, and constructed in the most 
substantial manner. Ills residence is on what is 
known as Broad street. 




4 



;*1LLIAMBELLAIR.S is recognized through- 
out White Pigeon Township as a fine speci- 
men of the typical Kngllsh farmer, who 
came to the West in his 3-ounger years. equip|)ed 
with a gocKl supply of muscle, and the sturdy (x>r- 
severance which seldom falls to succeed. He is now 
the owner of a gotxl farm on section 7, which he 
lias built up from a tract of uncultivaterl soil, plac- 
ing thereon good buildings, making fences and set- 
ting fruit trees, laboring early and late, and la3'lng 
the foundations of a good property. He Is now 
practically Inilependent. and sitting under the vine 
and lig tree of his own planting, certainly' uuij' look 
upon the result of his labors with satisfaction. 

A native of l^incolnshlre. Kngland. our subject 
was born .luly 31, I H20, and Is the sun of Vincent 
and Ami (.lillins) Hellairs, who were natives of the 
same county !is their son. 'I'hey were the parents 
of eight children, and spent their entire lives u|>on 
their native soil. The sole survivors of their fam- 



ily are our subject and his brother John, the latter a 
resident of Van Unren Township, Lagrange Co.. Ind. 
William at the age of twenty-five years decided to 
emigrate to Aiuerlca, and upon reaching New York 
Citj- proceeded westward to this county, within 
whose limits he arrived with a capital of ^2.oO in 
his pocket, lie at once secured employment as a 
farm lal)orer at $7 per month, which wages during 
the summer were Increased to ^'J. For the labor of 
twelve nionlhs. the (irst year In America, he received 
$127. The year following he made |!|30; this he 
lnveste<l in land in Lagrange County, Iiid.. pay- 
ing therefor ^IJO down, and had two years In which 
to pa}' the balance of Iil30, the wjioje sum required 
being >!2(<0. 

Mr. Uiilalrs, while a resident of Van Bureii Town- 
ship, Lagrange Co., Ind., took unto himself a wife 
and hripmato. Miss Ruth .lullan. Tlieir wedding 
was celeliratcd In White Pigeon. Mich.. Dec. 19, 
1852. This lady was born in Pickaway County. 
Ohio. Oct. 8, 18;31. and is the daughter of John 
Julian, who spent his last years In Nappanee, Ind. 
The young couple commenced life together on the 
new farm, where our subject put up a house, into 
which they removed the spring following their mar- 
riage. In the fall of 1857 he returned to White 
Pigeon. settling near Fish Lake, where he remained 
six years, then returned to Indiana. In the fall of 
1864 he recrossed the Atlantic to look after the es- 
tate of his father, who had died that year. He 
spent a few weeks in his native country, and then 
returned to his farm In Indiana, which he now 
owns, comprising 24fi acres, after which he came 
back to White Pigeon Township and secureil pos- 
session of his. present farm. This comprises 142 
acres of good land, which, with Its substantial bulM- 
ings, its goodly assortment of live stock and the 
convenient farm machinery, presents a picture of 
comfort and plenty which Is pleasant to look upon. 

There have lieen born to our subject an<i his es- 
timable wife an intelligent family of eight children, 
who were named respectively : < )live. Annie. George. 
Henry. Caroline, .los<'|ihlne, Levi and .Mar)'. An- 
nie is the wife of William lienham, of Lagrange 
County, Ind., aiul Is the mother of one child, a son 
Frank; Olive niarrif<l Charlie Linn, is the mother of 
one child. Otto, and a resilient of \Vhile Pigeon 



.^1^^ 



371 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 




Townsliip; George married Miss Fanny Beiote. lives 
in Lagrange County, anil has three ciiilrlren — Ethel, 
Inez and Hugh; Henry married Miss Minerva Wal- 
ter, and occupies the old homestead in Lagrange 
Count3', Ind. 

Mr. Bellairs, jjoliticall}', is a warm supporter of 
Kei)ul(licaii principles, and in religious matters a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He 
has never had an}- weakness for oHice, preferring to 
give his attention to his farming affairs. He is re- 
garded hy his neighbors as a law-abiding and relia- 
ble citizen, who in the building up of one of the 
best homesteads of White Pigeon Township has 
thus contributed much toward the development of 
its most available resources. 



<Sf 08EPH BROWN. It is a well-known fact 
I that Michigan is one of the greatest sheep- 
raising States in the Union, only Oiiio, Cali- 
fornia and Te.xas outranking her in this 
respect. The gentleman whose name stands at the 
head of this sketch is one of the leading re])resent- 
alives of this great industr}', as carried on in St. 
Joseph County. He is a i)rominent farmer and 
stock-grower of Florence Township, where he owns 
a valuable farm on section ;?1. 

Mr. Brown is of Engli.-h birth ami ancestry, as 
were likewise his parents. He was born in Not- 
tinghamshire, May 9, 1834. His father, Charles 
Brown, was a lifelong resident of England, born 
in 1807, and dying in 1835, while yet a young man. 
The worth}' mother of our subject, whose maiden 
name was Elizabeth (Kempshcll) Brown, was born 
in 1807. In 1845 she left her native England, talk- 
ing with her her little hoy, our subject, and made 
her way to this country and to Michigan, where she 
had determined to make her home for the future; 
she now has a home on her son's farm, where 
she is spending her declining jears. surrounded by 
every conifort that filial love can provide for her. 

The little English lad who was thus brought to 
this country when he was but eleven years of age. 
grew up under Republican institutions, and is 
to-d.ay one of the foremost sheejj-growers of this 
great and poweilul commonweallh of Michigan. 



He spent the first few years after coming to this 
State in his mother's home at White Pigeon. At 
the age of sixteen years he commenced to earn 
his own living by working on a farm for the sum 
of 18 a month, and was thus emplo3-ed for about 
fourycars. receiving nearlj- §100 a j-ear for a full 
year's work. At the age of twenty he had saved 
money enough to carry out his ambitious project 
of seeking a fortune in California, and in 1850 he 
started for the land of gold, going by boat from 
New York to the Isthmus of Panama, and then 
walking across the isthmus to take passage in a ves- 
sel for San Francisco, arriving there in Januar}-, 
1851, having been fifty-eight <lays en routp. He 
remained in California three years, working dili- 
gentlj- in the mines all of the time, and man.agcd 
to accumulate some monej\ Tiring of the hard 
life of a miner, his thoughts turned once more U.> 
home and friends in Michigan, and he soon retraced 
his steps and once more settled in this .State. He 
IHirchased a threshing-machine, and during the har- 
vesting season for twenty-two 3'ears was emploj'ed 
in running it at a great profit, and worked a farm 
on shares the rest of the j'ear, having purchased 
his present farm after his return from California. 
It comprises 198 acres in an excellent state of till- 
age, and am|)l3' provided with all the necessary 
farm buildings. Mr. Brown carries on mixed hus- 
liandry, his lan<l being admirabi}' adapted both to 
raising grain and stock, and he makes sheep feed- 
ing a sijccialty, feeding from 1,500 to 1,800 annu- 
ally, and shipping them to Buffalo. He has made 
this branch of industr}' a great success, and is now 
numbered among the solid, raonej-ed men of St. 
Josepii County. 

In 1858 our subject was married to Catherine 
Dale, a native of Penus3'lvania. and a daughter of 
Amos and Mary (Shineberger) Dale. Her father 
was born June 13. 1813, came to Florence Town- 
shi|) in 1848, and died June 18, 1853. Her mother 
was born in 1811, and died Sept. 24, 1 860. She 
and her husband were the parents of seven chil- 
dren, of whom Mrs. Brown was the third in order 
of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have spent their 
entire married life at their present place of resi- 
dence, and in their pleasant home five daughters 
have been born to them, as follows: Mar3' E., born 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 






Felt. 1, 1862; Anna 11., July 21, 1804; Alice E., 
Juno 10. 18G(); Vinna. July 7. ISC'.); Ih-lcii L.. M:iy 
1. 1H72. The family arc all nicinbcrs of the Pres- 
byterian Church at White Pigeon. Mr. Brown is a 
stanch Democrat, and uses his influence to promote 
parley measures, although he never seeks public 
honors, as he prefers to devote his time to the man- 
agement of his extensive interests. He is a man of 
wide experience, systematic in his methods, of 
l)rompt business habits, and one who can thoroughly 
be relied upon to act in the most honorable man- 
ner in any transaction with others. 



o^S^ 



■^^ 



-<«f«tf— 



d JONATHAN A. HAIMZI.KH. Prominent 
11 among the many substantial and prosperous 
I farmers who are reside;it within the limits of 
/' .Mottville Township, the subject of this 
sketch holds no secondary position. He resides on 
section 13. where he owns and operates a splendidly 
cultivated farm containing 110 acres. He comes 
from- that sturdy r.ace of people that originally set- 
tled in Pennsylvania, from the (Jerniau countries 
of Kurope. The various peculiarities characteristic 
of those iwople are fully exemplified by the life 
and conduct of our subject, (^uiet and persever- 
ing, be has yet to learn what the word failure 
means. He is very conservative in his life, and 
liefore he engages in any enterprise, he calmly 
weighs the matter, and when be decides to act. the 
invarial)le result is success. 

This gentleman w.-ls born in Mittlin County. Pa., 
Jan. 2;"), 1«;53. He is the .«on of Abraham Hartzler, 
who is now living in Ca.<s County. Mo. The father 
wa.s born Nov. 26, 1K()7. in Mitliin County, where 
he wa.s married to Magdelena Zook, in the year 
1832. She is a daughter of Abraham Zook. was 
born Aug. 13. 18(l.j. and is also a native of Mitflin 
County, Pa. They lived in Pennsylvania until 
March. 185.'). when they moved to Klkhart County. 
Ind., where he purchased a sawmill and a farm. 
They lived in that county until IHfit!, when they 
moved to St. Joseph County. Mich., where he ])ur- 
chaseil a small farm, and lived there until 18M1. in 
which year he traveletl a great deal for the benefit 



of his health. Henow resides in Cass County. Mo.. 
a hale and hearty old gentleman, .igeil eighty-one 
years; his wife is ilead. 

The grandfather of our subject. David .\braham 
Hartzler, w.-is born .Ian. 2<j. 17()8. in Berks County. 
Pa. He died Oct. 21, 18.^);'). His wife was Mary 
Yodcr; she was born Sept. UI. 1771. and died June 
2.>, 18.')(J. Jacob Hartzler was a native of .Switzer- 
land, and was born in "The Palatine." at that time 
a Province of France, where he was married. He 
came to .Vnierica. and returned a widower to his 
native country. There he wits married again. The 
dates of his marrisige and his trips to and from 
America are lost. The father of David Hartzler 
was John, the sou of .lac(jb Hartzler. He wa^; mar- 
ried to Veronica Reichcnbachi She is now^ decea.sed. 
John died April 1, 1801, in Berks County, Pa. 

Our subject is one of a family of six sons, who 
are named as follows: Jacob, Alu-aham D.. David 
E.. John .1.. .lonathan (our subject), and .Samuel Z. 
David K. married Mary Yoder. and lives in Cass 
County. Mo., where he is engaged in farming; he 
is the father of a son .and daughter. .lacob married 
.Susannah Blough. and resides in IClkhart County, 
Ind.. where he is a farmer; he has two sons 
and two datighters. .\braham I), married Mat- 
tie Schrock. and to them were liorn three sons; the 
mother ilied in Klkiiart County. Ind. He afterward 
married Miss Lydie Blo\igh. and to them have been 
born two daughters, and they now reside in (ioshen. 
Ind.. where he does general work, and h.as a family 
of five children, two sons and three (laughters. 
John J. is the husband of .Mattie Ma.st. and they 
live in C;vss County. .Mo., where he is a farmer and 
11 minister in the Mennonite Church; he has a large 
family. .Samuel Z. is a single man. and lives in Ne- 
braska, where he teaches school and is also engaged 
in railroading; Jonathan .V. Hartzler. «»ur subject, 
was married in Mitliin County. Pa.. June 6. 1831; 
his wife died .Vpril 7, 1872. and her name was 
Nancy Hartzler. daughter of .Vdam and .Mary 
(Ilooley) Hartzler. He is the father of eight 
children, who are named: Hachel. Mattie, Eliza- 
beth. -Katie. Nancy. .Miraliam. Matilda and Lydia. 
K;icliel is married to Levi .1. Pem-hey; he is a la- 
borer, and has no family. Mattie is unmarried, and 
resides in Cass County. .Mu. ; Elizabeth is the wife 




4> 



37(5 



ST. .lOSKPH COUNTY. 



4 



of Elias R. Miller, a farmer in Ca-ss County. Mo., 
and she is tlie mother of one son; Katie is unmar- 
ried .Tiid lives in Cass County, Mo.: Xancy is un- 
married and lives with her father; Abrali.-im is 
single, and is employed as a carpenter; Matilda un- 
married, and 1-ydia. the youngest, are hotli .it licme 
with their father. 

Mr. llartzler has been a farmer all his life, in 
whicli he has proved fairly suoc-essfid. lie has held 
various ofliees in the town in wliich he resides, and 
h.is lived on his present farm for the last twenty- 
five vcars. The whole farm is umler a very high 
state of cultivation. The buildings, although not 
elaborate, are <:)f a very substantial and permanent 
character. The house is rocmiy and very comfort- 
ably furnished; nicely located, the barns and other 
necessary out-buildings are very capacious and well 
adapted for their intended use. lie has always 
lived a very frugal .-md contented life, and he has 
gathered about him a handsome property, and one 
which speaks very highly for his industrious habits. 
He is Signal Service Reporter for his locality. He 
is a member of the Mennonite Church, of which his 
wife was also a memVter. and they were very earn- 
est and devout in their religious duties. lie is a 
man of considerable note in his neighborhood, and 
he prides himself on tlie fact that all his undertak- 
in"-s are almost alw.ays crowned with prosperity. In 
politics he is a Republican. 

(,TP^' THAN B. PIF^R. Some things must be seen 

tto be appreciated. AVordy deseri|)tions, 
( whether abbreviated or more lengthy, fail 
to do justice even when useil by a master in rhet- 
oric. The property of Mr. Pier is a case in point, 
and one glance at his excellent farm, which stretches 
away acre after acre until 200 have been told, his 
farm buildings, excellent in construction and adapt- 
ability, his commodious, well-furnished and admir- 
ably situated home, would be better than all the 
merely verbal descriptions that could be given in 
this Album. 

Our subject is the son of Solomon Pier, who was 
born in Steuben County, N. Y., in the year 1814. 
He grew to manhood in that and Genesee County, 



where he lived until he was about twenty years old, 
when he came to Allchigan. and for the next few 
years lived here and at other diflferent points in the 
.State. During the first few years he devoted him- 
self to farming, afterward following the carpentry 
trade for about twenty years, during which time he 
constructed quite a number of bridges for different 
railroads. Subsequently he returned once more to 
faiming, and continued in agricultural pursuits. In 
18tj9 he came from Texas. Kalamazoo County, with 
his famil}', and settled in Leonidas Township, where 
he died on the 20th of February, 1 880. 

December 3, IHo."). Jlr. Pier, Sr., was married to 
Miss Frances Bird, at .Saginaw City, this Stale. 
This ladj- was born at Mansfield. Warren Co.. N. 
J., Sept. 17, 1818, to .lolin ami Frances Bird. Two 
children were born of this union, viz: Hiram .1. and 
Ethan B. Hiram died atGirard. Branch Co.. Mich., 
in 1879, when twenty-two years of age, and the 
second child is the subject of this sketch. 

Mr. E. B. Pier was born in Mattawan, Van Buren 
Co., Mich., on the 1st of April, 18.JS). He received 
a good, practical, English education in the common 
schools, and has been engaged chiefly in agricult- 
ural pursuits. Since the death of his father he has 
operated the farm, which he owns, and which, as 
before stated, contains 260 acres. The chief build- 
ings thereon were put up by the father of our sub- 
ject, but numerous improvements have been made 
since that time, and additions as required. 

On the 2Gth of November, 1881, the nuptials of 
our subject and Julia A. Crafts were celebrated at 
Fulton, Kalamazoo County. This lady was born 
in .Sherwood. Branch Countv, on the 31st of Jann- 
ary, 18.')7. Of this union one daughter has been 
born, whose name is Fannie M. Mrs. Pier is the 
daughter of Myron and Mary Crafts, who were na- 
tives of New York. The famil}- circle included 
four children, and of these their daughter Julia was 
the ehlest born. 

Mr. and Mrs. Pier are members in good standing 
of tlie Reformed Church, and are very active in ad- 
vancing the interests of the cause as oi)portuiiity 
presents. They are held in high regard, both there 
and in societ}' at large, where they move in the best 
circles. Mr. Pier has been elected Justice of the 
Peace, but is not given to office-seeking, neither is 



*r 



-4•- 



ST. .lOSlil'Il COUNTY, 



••»• 



a; 



Ir 



lie very prominent in political circles. Uikin<r de- 
light first in his family, and secondly in his f.nrm. 
He nsually voles the llc|)nlili(vin ticket, of wliicli 
party he has long been an afliliate. By its mem- 
bers he is reirarded as a good and loyal citizen, and 
stanch friend of the parly. 



JFOIIN TROST. There are few more worthy 
II representatives of the German Empire than 
j{ the subject of this sketch, who is now an 
fj American citizen and enterprising farmer in 

Colon Township, this connty. lie was born at Meck- 
lenbnrg. Ciermany. on the "ilsl of August. 1830, 
and was cdncaled in the schools at Mecklenburg, 
leaving them when ab(jnt twenty-four years of .age. 
He remaiiiccl at home with his parents until about 
1854. and then started in life for himself. He was 
reared upon the farm, and the greater part of his 
life h;is been given to agricultural pursuits. 

In the spring of 1 8.')4 .Mr. Trost came to America 
and landed at New York City. He came on from that 
jtlace direct to this county, and determined to set- 
tle in Colon Township. On landing in New York 
his excheipier was reduced to ¥4.40, and upon ar- 
rival in Si. .Joseph Counl3' he had but three siiillings. 
This condition of affairs w.as speedily remedied, for i posed to meet the same 
he at once found work as a farm hand, and con- 
tinued thus employed for about eight years. As 
soon as he felt himself able he rented a farm until 
he could purchase eighty acres of land. This was 
situated on section IC, Colon Township, and here 
he began to work in earnest, and made headway 
from a financial standpoint. 

The eight}' acres which were first purchased by 
Mr. Trost have been added to by other purchases, 
an<l the |)resent farm is 120 acres in extent, and all 
has been brought to a high state of cultivation. 
Upon the farm he had erected a very pleasant and 
commodious farm dwelling, which is to him all that 
home could possibly be to any man. His farm 
buildings are built upon sanitary principles, and are 
calculated to meet his requirements fully. He has 
two large barns and all necessarv other out-build- 



the husband of AHss Henrietta Coohon. in Ib-ancli 
County. His wife was born in Germany, Feb. 12. 
1831. and came to this ctuintry in .June, IH.'itS. .She 
is the daughter of Chris and Dora Coohon. Of 
this union there have been born eightchildren. viz: 
Rachael. now the wife of William Trahnes. of Colon 
Township; Charles, now of Elgin. III.; Henry, who 
died in fSeptember. 18H0. when twenty-two years of 
age; Albert is at home; Eilla. the wife of George 
Haumeister, an enterprising farmer of Burr Oak 
Township; Mary; Lena; and Maude, who died at 
home on the 29111 of October, 1H87. when fifteen 
years of age. 

Mr. and Mrs. Trost are both esteemed members 
of society, and are also held in much regard in the 
German Lutheran Cluncli, with which they became 
united while in the Fatlierland. They sustain their 
profession by strict adherence to the rights and rules 
of the church, and are among its most devout mem- 
bers. Our subject, although deeply interested in 
all the institutions of his adopted country, and ap- 
preciating them to the utmost possible extent, has 
never taken a prominent part in politics. He is, 
however, a member of the Republican partv. and 
usually votes its ticket, endeavoring alw.iys to do 
so intelligently, and with a view to the necessities 
of the case and the ability of the candidate pro- 



> ■ >»j ! ^ - < ■ 



ings. 



In the month of .June. IH.jt'i. .Mr. Trost became 



"ifl AME.S W. WOOD, owning and occupying a 
good farm on section 4. Eabius Townshij)' 
St. .loseph Co.. Mich., is one of the farmers 
and stock-raisers of .Southern Michigan who 
have been instrumental in developing its splendid 
agricultural resources, and be is well worthy of 
representation in this biographical work. He was 
born in Wayne County, N. Y.. .Vug. 22. 1821, 
and is a son of William and Hulda (Merrill) Wood, 
natives of New York, anil of I^nglish ancestry. By 
his father's death, when he w;us (juite young, our 
subject was left without a home, and he went to 
live with his grandfather, and at the expiration of 
two years an uncle took charge of him. and 
brought him to Michigan as early as 1836, while it 
wa.« under Territorial government. This part of 



H- 



4= 




378 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



-t 



]\Iiclilo:an was then in a wild, un.settled condition, 
settlements were few and far between, the greater 
part of the primeval forests was still standing. 
Indians still made their home in their depths, and 
savajre animals prowled amid the trees and swamps. 
Educational advantages were then very limited, and 
our subject lived here about two years without 
even seeing a school-house. At length he attended a 
school that was established in Coldwater. His 
rough experience in the pioneer life of his first 
3'ears in this. State early developed in hinksagacity, 
strength of character, and a reliance on his own 
faculties and resources, tliat made a man of liim long 
ere he had attained his m.ajority. lie commenced 
to work for himself when he was about eighteen 
years old. being ein])lo3cd bv the month, and as 
the result of his hard labors and frugid economy 
in the few years that followed he had bought eigiity 
acres of land, and had it all paid for by the time he 
was t\venty-one j'ears old. He immediately com- 
menced the improvement of his ])lace to prepare it 
for a home, and on tlic 22d day of October. 1848, 
he was united in marriage to Miss Roxanna Puffer, 
daughter of Ira and Charity (Pangborn) Puffer. 
Mrs. Wood was born Sept. 16. 1821. 

^Ir. Wood disposed of his first farm after living 
on it a few years, and bought another in Florence 
Township. St. Joseph County. He managed that 
farm with good financial success for eighteen years, 
when he sold that, too. and bought one in Flower- 
field Township, which he afterward traded for a 
large farm in Tuscola County, Mich. Subsequentlv 
he sold all of his propertj- in that countj', and re- 
turned to St. Jo.sei)h County in 1860. At that 
ti me he bought his present place, which was then a 
tract of wild land. By unremitting and skillful 
toil he has wrested a farm from a state of nature 
which in cultivation and all of its appointments will 
compare favorably with any other in this part of 
Michigan. He has erected a -substantial house, barn 
and other necessary buildings. He owns stock of 
good grades, and finds a ready .sale for all that he 
raises. 

The married life of our subject and his worthy 
wife has been blessed by the birth of three children: 
Arvilla, Pollen M. and Ira Leroy. Their son died 
at the age of five years. Arvilla married William 

4* 



II. Wetherbee. who lives on section 6. Fabius 
Township, and they have three children; Ellen 
married Fretleric M. Bent, of Cass Countv. Mich., 
and they have five children. 

Mr. Wood is a man of good business qualifica- 
tions, of keen, resolute nature, one who does his 
I own thinking, and in general stands well with his 
fellowraen. He is a hearty supporter of the doc- 
trines promulgated by the Republican party, but is 
independent in local affairs. 



l';'OSEPH RU.SSELL. One of the mightiest 
factors in bringing about the present high 
civilization is the religious influence of Chris- 
tianit}'. Our land has everj-nhere its repre- 
sentatives of this power. Among those identified 
with the religious interests of this count)' is the 
gentleman whose biography is here briefly pre- 
sented, who for many years has been upon the 
roster of religious officials and ciuiichmpn. 

The father of our subject, Andrew Russell, was 
born in Penns3"lvania, and was of English descent. 
His mother, whose maiden name was Isabell Sunder- 
land, also of English ancestry, was a native of New 
Jersey. They were married and first settled in the 
Keystone State, but removed to Ohio, and located 
in Montgomery Count)' at an early day in the his- 
tory of that settlement. From there they removed 
to Allen Count)', where they were the first white 
settlers. Mr. Russell <lied in that place in the year 
1824. His widow subsequently removed to Michi- 
gan, but returned later to Allen C'ounly, where she 
died June (i, 1859. 

The family of which our subject is a member 
included eleven children, all of whom lived to 
mature years, Joseph being the fifth child of the 
family. He was born near D.ayton. Ohio, on the 
24lh of June, 1816. When he was about three 
years of age the removal to Allen County was made, 
and when his father died he was seven years of age. 
After that trouble had come to the family he lived 
part of the time with his maternal grandfather, Mr. 
Sunderland, in Montgomery County. Subsequently 
he made his home in Allen and Williams Counties, 



-4^ 



'^^^^tr'^i^ 



Sr. .lOSKPH COUNTY. 



379 



-t 



in the same State, until he came to Alichignn, whicli 
he first visited in the spriiifj of 1838. but onlj' 
reinainerl a short time, returning to Allen Count}'. 

In the summer of 18;J4 Mr. Russell returned to 
Mit'higjin and visited St. .loseph County, I'Ut did 
not come to make his home permanently until the 
following spring. Then he located on section 36 
ill Nollawa Township, ami there made his home 
until the fall of 1883. He has ahv.iys been engaged 
in agricultural pursuits, and is a thorough, practi- 
cal farmer. In the fall of 1883 he removed to his 
present home on section 33 in Leonirlas Township, 
where he owns 100 acres of splendid tillahle land, 
adniinilily adapted to his purpose. Here, hy the 
aid of his niachiner}-, he is enabled to gather in 
abundant harvests, except upon rare occasions, 
when, owing to causes absolute!}' beyond human 
control, it w.ts impossible. 

Mr. Kussell has been twice married: first on the 
1.5th of Novemlicr. 1837. at Ottawa, in this .State, 
when he became the husband of Lucinda Knox, 
who was born in the Empire .State, on the 20th of 
October, 1819. Hy this marriage there were born 
three children, viz : Anflrew C a prosperous far- 
mer in Notlawa Township; Orlando D.. who is 
engaged in business as an agricultural implement 
dealer at Sturgis, and David E., who died when 
about nine months old. Mrs. Russell died after 
seven years of happy married life, on the 11th of 
March, 1844. 

The present wife of our subject entered that ■ 
relation on the 3d of June, 1845, at .Sturgis. Her 
name prior to that date was Lucinda A. Lyman. 
.She was born at Fenner. Madison Co., N. Y., on 
the 2()th of April, 1828, an<l received her educa- 
tion at Hatavia, N. Y. Mrs. Russell is a lady of 
character and cidture, and has made the home of 
our subject bright and homelike by her presence. 
.She is respected and admired bj- a large circle of 
friends, and is one who is more esteemed as she is 
better known. She has presented her husband with 
the following children: Langdon E.. who is a far- 
mer in Sherman 'J'ownship; Francis E.. who died 
when but two years of age, and F"redcrick, J., who 
resides at home. 

Mrs. Russell is a daughter of Colrin and Betsy 
(Swift) Lyman. Her father was born near Pitts- 



field. Mass.. and her mother was a unlive of the 
same State. They came to .Michiiian. and shortly 
after settled in Mendon Township, where they 
made their home until their death, which occurreil 
April 6, 1872. and Aug. 2.5, 1876. respectively. 

The subject of our sketch has held several oflices 
in Nottawa Township. With his wife he is an 
e.irncst and cdicicnt member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, with which he has been identified for 
nearly half a century, and Mrs. Russell since she 
was fifteen years of age. Since the first few 3'ears 
of his church life he has been almost continuously 
in olHce in connection therewith, and is one of the 
most able an<l trusted in the communion. He is one 
who endeavors to adorn his profession and sustain 
his oflicial position by a consistency that is much 
commended, and in this his wife is b}' no means be- 
hind him. The political position of our subject is 
almost identical with the Republican party. He 
cast his first vote for Gen. Harrison, and also voted 
for the grandson of that gentleman in the Presiden- 
tial election of 1888. Orlando D. Russell, the 
second son of our subject, was one of the first to 
answer the call for troops. He enlisted in the 1st 
Michigan ^'olunteers and served for three months. 



-i- 



4- 




^\ AMIEL Y. ROWER. This gentleman is 
one of the young and enterprising but pros- 
perous farmers of Colon Township, and is 
the owner of a well-kept farm of 120 acres 
in extent, situated ujxm section 12. His father. 
Samuel Hower. was born in the year 177!l. On the 
28ih of August, 185.5. he became the husband of 
Elizabeth Brumgard. of Clinff>n County. I'a.. where 
she was l)orn on the 1 1th of February. 1831. After 
their marriage they settled in I'nion County, Pa., 
and there lived until their removal to Colon in 
1880. 

The mother of our subject was the daughter of 
.John anfl Mary (Barner) Brumgard. They were the 
pjirents of twelve children, and their daughter 
Elizsibeth was their sixth child. Mr. and Mrs. 
.Samuel Bower had in their family circle six chil- 
dren, of whom our subject was the fourth. He 
was born in I'ninn Countv. Pa., on the 21tli of 



•wi » 



*^^i^Mi. 



•*^ 



,t 



380 



ST. .lOSKPH COUNTY. 



August. 1859. He refcived :i common-school educa- 
tion and started in life for himself when seventeen 
years of ajre. givinp: liis attention to agricultural 
pursuits. 

Our subject was married in Colon, on the 30th 
of Noveml)er, 1882. His wife, who is a native 
of tliat place, was Adell. the daughter of Sanuiel 
and Matilda (.Shipman) Hafer. Mr. and Mrs. Hafer 
were married in Buffalo Townshi)). Union Co., 
I'a., and afterward settled tliere upon a farm, wliere 
they made their home for ten years. At the end 
of tliat period they removed to Colon, and settled 
on section «. in the township of tliat name. 

Mr. and ^Irs. Bower settled on section 12, in 
Colon Township, in the fall of 1883. Their family 
includes two children. wIki hear the names of 
Maude K. and .\iny K. Mr. and Mrs. Bower are 
nt>t incniliersof any religious denomination, hut are 
friendlv to all orthodox organizations and systems, 
and tirm friends of whatever will sustain and ad- 
vance the higlier types of morality and .assist in 
the preservation and uphiiilding of society. 

The political aspirations of our subject are in 
accord with those of the Democratic party, and he 
usually votes that ticket. He takes the greatest 
jxwsible interest in his farm and devotes himself 
chiefly to its improvement and cultivation. His 
farm buildings are substantially built and well ar- 
ranged. They are supplied with a multitude of 
ai)pliances, conveniences and implements familiar 
only to the modern and progressive farmer. 



=E>- 



p9) L. (iODFRKY. M. D., a practicing i)hysi- 
»] cian and surgeon of Colon, is one of the 
JL^ leading members of the homeopathic school 
of medicine in St. Joseph County. He is very 
popular here, and has an extensive .ind lucrative 
pr.actice. He succeeded his father, the widely 
known ])h}'sician. Dr. L. M. Godfrey, a representa- 
tive of the same school, wlio has given up the 
practice of his profession. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Lydia ^Varren. is also living, beloved 
and respected by a large circle of friends. They 
are natives of Wyoming County. N. Y.. l)ul in 



July. 1855, they left their old home in that .State 
and came West, locating first in Wisconsin, remain- 
ing there two years and then coming to Michigan. 
Dr. (iodfrey first established himself in Bronson, 
Branch County, where he practiced his profession 
until 18fil. In that year he removed to Colon and 
opened an oflice. and for several years was one of 
the leading physicians in this part of the county. 

Our subject w.is born in Attica, X. Y., in 1852, 
the eldest of the three children of his parents. 
He comes of sterling stock, his forefathers on both 
sides of the house being representatives of families 
of good standing in tlie East. He w.a.s a mere child 
when his parents came to Michigan, and he was 
reared in this State. He received the preliminaries 
of his education in Colon, and w;is then sent to the 
Jackson Business College, whence he was graduated 
after pursuing a thorough business course, but 
when it came to choosing a career in life, he deter- 
mined to adopt the medical profession, having a 
decided taste for it, perhaps both acquired and in- 
herited. To fit himscJf for his work he entered 
the Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, where 
he was a careful and hard student until he was 
graduated with honors won for ripe si'holarship in 
February, 1876. He immediately- settled in Colon, 
where he would not only have the prestige of his 
father's name and the advantage of his wider ex- 
perience and wise counsels, but would step into a 
good ])ractice among people with whom he was 
reared, who welcomed him again to their midst .is 
an old friend, and regarded him with trust and con- 
fidence. The Doctor is the only representative of 
the homeopathic school of medicine in Colon. 
During his twelve years' practice, bj' constant at- 
tention to his duties, he h.is accumulated a fine 
pi'operty, his superior business talents an<l training 
enabling him to invest his mone3- in a judicious 
manner. In 1885 he built a handsome brick resi- 
dence, in which he and his pleasant famil3- dispense 
a generous hospitality to their many friends. 

The Doctor was married, in September, 1873, to 
Miss Belle M, Grover, a native of Branch County, 
Mich,, where she w.is born in 1852. .She w.as the 
second child of the five born to Joseph and Harriet 
(Benedict) (irover. natives respectively of Penn- 
svlvania and New York. They came to Michigan 



'^^"T-^^?" 



^♦Hl-^ 



»► m^ 



ST. .lOSKPH COUNTY. 



381 



in pioneer days, and lier father still ri'sides in 
Colon, where he is eiiiraued in farniinir. Her 
niotlier died in IKKI.at the atre of sixty-four years. 
To the Doetor and his wife live chililicn were 
horn. a.s follows: Clare K.. thirteen years old; Ina 
.\.. eleven; .1. I,., nine: (ilenn K.. six; Kva K.. 
four. Mi-s. (lodfrey departed this life Oct. 2K, 
1KN8. leavinfT a husliand and five ehildren. and a 
larsjeeirele of friends to inouni herilealli as a kin<l, 
affectionate mother and lovin<r coin])anion. and good 
eitizen. 

Our sulijeet .and his wife occupied a U'lidini;^ po- 
sition in the society of Colon, and he is a promi- 
nent menilier of the .V. F. it A. M. of this town, 
lie does not take a very active part in iK>litics, liut 
he always casts his vote with the Hepnblican party. 
He is entirely engrossed in his profession, and al- 
though he h;is n large practice, he is still a student, 
and keeps abreast of the times in evervtliing per- 
taining to medicine, 

_ .^.^ ^ 



(i'^iU llAlil) ,M. l)l( KINSON. The history of 
11^ White Pigeon Township would not be com- 
plete slK)uld the biography of the gentleman 
^^ipwhose name heads this sketch be omitte<l. 
He resides on section C.White Pigeon Township, 
anil is one of the representative agriculturists of 
the count>% and a gentleman well and favorably 
known on account of the interest that he takes in 
all matters jn-rtaining to the substantial advance- 
ment and im|>rovenient of the country. He was 
born in Florence Township. St. Joseph Co.. Mich., 
Feb. 24. 1846. 

The subject of this sketch is the son of George 
and Sarah (.lohn.son) Dickinson. The father was 
lH)rn in Yorksliire. F.ngland. and came to .Vnierica 
in 18.1:J. settling in this county. For many years 
he drove the stage l)etween Detroit and ANhite 
Pigeon. He died M.iy .'?. IHOl. The mother was 
a native of Uverpmil. Kngland, and came to Amer- 
ica, where she met and married our sul)jecl's father. 
The children were: Richard, our subject; Sarah. 
Mrs. Putnam; (ieorge; Annie. .Mrs. Kellogg, and 
Cliarles K. Tlie mother was a widow before her 
marriage with our subject's father: at the time of 



her second marriage she was the mother of one 
daughter, Mary .\. Howman. This daughter was 
the wife of .1. .1. Davis, of White Pigeon, but is 
now deceased. (See sketcli of J. .1. Davison another 
page in this work.) The mother dieil .Ian. 12. 18(;7, 
.-iged lifty-lhree years. 

The education the subject of this sketch received 
was obtained in the cfmimon schools, and he eagerly 
availed himself of every advantage otTered. Besides 
the time siient in school his entire life was |)assed 
in farming, excepting al)out eighteen months, dur- 
ing which time he o|)erated a nicat-niarkct in White 
Pigeon. He was successful in this venture, but 
felt that he could spend his life to lietter advantaire 
and more |)rofit on the fiirm; in conseipicnce he 
closed the business in town and went back to the 
fartn. where lie Iuls since lived. 

Mr. Dickinson married .Miss Kllen Fieldhouse. 
Jan. 7, 1869. She is a daughter of Willinni l-"ield- 
house, who was (me of the earliest settlers in the 
county, and is now deceased. They are the |)arents 
of one child, .lennie V... who was born Aug. 21. 
1879. He and his family reside in a eomfurtnble 
frame house, handsomely furnished, and contain- 
ing ail of the latest improved devices to lighten the 
lal(or of housekeeping, and add to the conifnrt and 
pleasure of the inmates. Tlie grounds surrounding 
his residence are beautitie<l with a large number of 
ornamental trees, shrubliery and flowers. The 
barns and other necessary out-buildings are con- 
veniently located, ."ind nicely designed for the pur- 
]ioses for which they were intended, and are verv 
substantially a?i<l solidly built. He owns a farm 
of 2itt acres, which he devotes to general farming 
and stock-raising, giving ]>articular attention to 
feeding sheep, of which he h.as a large number, 
and their appearance gives evidence of the great 
amount of care bestowed upon them by their owner. 

This gentleman, and also his wife, are the de- 
scendants from the most |>opular families of old 
settlers in the <'ounty. an<i it is a matter of pride 
to them to refer back to their ancestors who set- 
tled in Michigan at an early date, and have con- 
tributed so largely to the present glory of the Stale. 
In his domestic affairs he isexceptioniilly fortunate: 
his wife is a refinwl, elegant lady, devoting herst-lf 
in every way possible to the liest interests of her 



•►Hh^ 



:?^r+-^ 



382 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



husband. Both parents are devoted to their little 
daughter Jennie, who is an unusuall}- bright and 
precocious child. She hasi the sweetness of temper 
and dis])0sition which is one of the characteristics 
of her mother, and the child in return for the love 
lavished on her fairly worships her jjarents. Siic 
h.is evinced a great aptitude for music, and alttiough 
so young in years she is a splendid performer on 
tiie i)iano. 

Mr. Dickinson luis steadily refused toacce[)t any 
position of trust from his fellowmen, although be- 
ing rei>eatcdly requested to do so, jireferring to de- 
vote his time entirely to the development and 
successful prosecution of his various business in- 
terests. Himself and wife are both members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he always 
acts with the Republican party. 



J I AY IiAHC'(!)CK. The farming comnninity 
of Nottawa Township has among its mem- 
bers no more solid and reliable man than 
the subject of tliis sketch. He owns a good 
property on section 24. where he has effected sub- 
stantial improvements, and where he has applied 
himself for the Last tiiirty-live years industriously 
to general farming, and met with the iv.-isonable 
reward of his labors. 

Tlie main ])(iints in tlie liislory of our subject are 
substantially as follows: He is the only ciiild of 
Samuel B. and Elizabeth (Groves) Babcock, the 
former of whom was born in New York State. Aug. 
211, 1787. The mother, who was of Holland-Dutch 
ancestry, was born on the banks of Buffalo Creek, 
in I'nion County. Pa.. Dec. 1."). 17117. and is still 
living, making her home in Xottawa. The par- 
ents, after their marriage, removed, in 1836. from 
Monroe County, X. Y., to Jackson County, Mich., 
during its Territorial days, where they resided until 
18.54. They then took up their abode among the 
(lioneers of tliis county, settling in Xottawa Town- 
ship, wiiere tlie father lived and labored for a 
period of twenty years, and then closed his ej'es 
\ipon eartiily scenes, about 1874. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Clarkson, 
Monroe Co.. X. Y.. Dec. 1.5. 1835, and was one and 



one-half years old when he was brought by his par- 
ents to Michigan. He accompanied his parents in 
tiieir removal to this county, and lived upon the 
old farm until 1854. This property is now in the 
possession of Mr. Babcock. Mr. B. purchased the 
land which he now owns and occupies in 1854. It 
embraces 120 acres of land, and he has himself 
effected the improvements which we see around 
him to-day. He was married, in Sturgis. Xov. 8. 
1862. to Miss Henrietta Hayfer. This lady was 
born in Colon Township, this county, Feb. 7, 1846. 
and was the daughter of Samuel and Matilda (Ship- 
man) Hayfer. .She died verj- suddenly of pneu- 
monia, on the 3d of March. 1888. 

To Mr. and .Mrs. Babcock there were born four- 
teen cliildren. ten of whom are living, namely: 
Henry C. William X.. Caroline T., Clara A.. Laura 
L.. John J.. Chris R.. Homer J.. Marion A. and 
Bessie A. Those deceased are .Mary E. and Frank- 
lin, who died early in life, and two who died un- 
named in inf.aucy. Mr. Babcock. politically, advo- 
cates the principles of the Democratic party. 

The father of our subject carrie<l a musket in the 
War of 1812. and on account of his services at that 
time his widow receives a pension from the Gov- 
ernment. Mi-s. Elizabeth (Groves) Babcock is a 
very bright and intelligent old lady, with quite a 
remarkable memory, being able to recall p.ast events 
with much clearness, and a jjei-son with whom it is 
tioth pleasant and profitable to cc)nverse. She has 
witnessed many changes during a long and worthy 
life, and can relate man\- interesting incidents of 
the pioneer days of Michigan. 



^^^^^;^^^t^^7<^ 



■V-- 



1p>^ ELSOX M ATHEWSON. The biography of 
I I/) '^'''^ honored pioneer of Mendon Township 
/1\/Zfe is not widely different from that of many 
who came early in life to Michigan Territorj-. and 
to whom she is indebted for the development of 
her rich resources. Mr. Matliewson first set foot 
ui)on the soil of Michigan when a young man twen- 
ty-five years of age, settling in this county in Octo- 
ber, 1842. with his wife, taking up land first in 
Colon Township, where he lived some six or seven 
j'ears. Thence he came to Mendon Township, and 



-^^IrM' 



»► 11 ^^ 



^i^H^ 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



383 



located on the land whieli lie has since occupied. 
His farm is now 175 acres in extent. Upon it have 
been pri'Cted three <;oc)d and comfortable dwolliiifrs, 
and the structures for the storage of trrain and the 
shelter of stock, which, together with their surround- 
ings, the apple orchard and the abundance t)f smaller 
fruit, comprise a homestead comfortable and pleas- 
ant in the extreme. Mr. Mathcwson knows all 
about the toils and hardships of life in a new coun- 
tr}', but his labors have met with their legitimate 
reward. 

A native of Onondaga County, X. Y., our sub- 
ject was born .Inly •.'.'). IM7. and was the eldest of 
a family of six children, the offspring of John and 
Lois (Hicks) Matliewson. who wi-re also natives of 
the Kmpire Stale. The father died when a young 
man in his native county of Onondaga, when his 
son Nelson was a lad of twelve j"ears. The mother 
was subsequently married a second lime, and later 
coming to Jlichigan. died in ^lendon Township, 
this county, in the month of .Inly, about l!SC7. 

Mr. Mathcwson was reared to farm pursuits, 
which he carried on in his native State until com- 
ing to Michigan. He was first married in Oswego 
County. N. V., to Miss Polly Works, by wlu>ni he 
became the father of three children — John 11., \\il- 
ber and Helen R. Wilbcr was killed iei the pineries 
of Kent County, Mich., by a falling tree; Helen 
died in infancy; John H. is married, and operating 
a farm in Meiidou Township. The mother of these 
children died nt the homestead, .Sept. 4. 1850. 

Our subject contracted a second marriage, at 
Three Rrveis. this Slate. Aug. 2.t. 1h5I. with Miss 
Lucj- .S. Ballon, who was born in Cuyahoga Cuuiily, 
Ohio, Jan. 23. 1831. Her father, Danford G. Bal- 
lon, was a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., and 
the mother, who in her girlhood was Miss Cyn- 
thia Worrallo was born in Ontario County, N. Y. 
They came In Southern Michigan in 1838, settling 
in I'ark Township, this county, where they spent 
the remainder of their lives, the father dying about 
187<;, In his seventy-fourth year, au<l the mother 
pjUHsing away nt the home of her daughter. Mrs. 
Matliewson, in the spring of 1887. 

Of this marriage of our subject there have been 
born three children. The eldest daughter, Mary 
U., is the wife of J. J. Hanshue, of Kalamazoo; 



James W. is in the furniture and undertaking busi- 
ness in Antrim County, this State; Argie L. died 
at the age of two years and eight months. Mrs. 
Mathcwson is a member in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. M. east his first 
Presidential vote for Henry Claj", being a member 
of the Whig |)arty. Since its organization in 1856 
the llepublican party has received his uniform sup- 
port. 

— 'i^m- — 

"i^ MANUEL AVAGNER. For genuine com- 
|ls] fort and those things which complete the 
Jj^^ well-ordered home, attractive within and 
without, there is probably no better illustrntion than 
the home of the subject of this sketch, which is 
finely located on sectiim 27, in Colon Township. 
Mr. Wagner, rather than turning his whole attcii- 
liun tu money-making, seemed to have in view those 
things which shall conduce in the best manner to 
the pleasure and happiness of his family. A lover 
of home and closely bound by domestic ties, he 
thus possesses in a marked degree one of the best 
qualities of citizenship. In consequence of this he 
thus enjoys the confidence of his fellowmeu, and li.as 
faithfully performed the closest obligations of life. 

IJaniel Wagner, the father of our subject, when a 
young man was married, and he ami his wife settled 
not far from the (ilace of their birth, in Mifflin 
County, Pa. In 1838, however, the year after 
Michigan had been transformed from a Territory 
into a State, they came to this county with their 
little family. The father purchased seventy -eight 
acres of land in Colon Township, an(l commenced 
building up a homestead, where he and his estimable 
wife spent the remainder of their d.ays. His death 
took place Oct. 8. 18G4. and the mother is still liv- 
ing. They were the parents of six children, all of 
whom survive. 

Our subject was born April 18, 1828, and re- 
mained with his father until atUining the age of 
twenty years. He had in the incantime received n 
common-school education, and had become entirely 
familiar with the various emploj'menls of farm life. 
Upon reaching his majority he began the estab- 
lishment of a home of his own. by hismarruoge with 
Miss Mary Uafer, which took place in Sejitember, 



T 



.^1^^ 



4- 



384 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



i 850. The young people began the journey of life 
together, but Mrs. Wagner survived her marriage 
only a few months, ber death taking place in May, 
18.51. She was the daughter of Samuel and Cath- 
erine (Hinklc) Hafer, who were natives of Union 
County, Pa. 

The second marriage of Mr. Wagner was with 
Miss Louisa, a daughter of Benjamin Marks, who 
with his wife, Tina (Packanl) Marks, was a native 
of New York Stale, and is deceased. Of this union 
there was born one child, a son, Alston, who died 
at the nge of five years. The third marriage of Mr. 
AVagner, which took place Aug. 28, 1 858, at Colon, 
in this county, was with Miss Caroline Frye, daugh- 
ter of .Jacob and Catherine (Bothman) Frye. na- 
tives of Schuylkill County, Pa. Mrs. Caroline Wag- 
ner was the seventh of a family of eight childrrn. 

To Emanuel and Caroline Wagner there were 
born two children — Elmer E. and Tillie E. The 
former assists his father in the operation of the farm ; 
he married Miss Sophia L. Teller, and they have 
one child, George C. Tillie E. is the wife of I. W. 
Teller, who lives in Colon Township; they have 
one child. .John E. Mr. Wagner is an uncompro- 
mising Democrat, politically, and has held the vari- 
ous school offices of his township. He identified 
himself with the Masonic fraternity, being con- 
nected at present with Blue Lodge No. 73, at Colon. 
The homestead includes ninety acres of well-culti- 
vated land, upon which Mr. Wagner h.as made all 
the improvements, which are viewed with interest 
by the passing traveler. 



-t 



\irOHN M. WELLS, a prominent citizen of 
St. Joseph County, with whose best interests 
he has been identified for many years, is 
widely and favorably known in business and 
social circles, and he has been an important factor 
in extending and sustaining the large commercial 
interests of Southern Michigan. He is a member 
of the firm of Wells it Calam. Constanline Village. 
They have a fine, well-appointed, double store, and 
carry a full slock of well-assorted goods, of many 
classes, and are thus enabled to meet in every re- 



spect the demands of a large custom, which they 
have drawn to themselves by inspiring confidence 
in their patrons bj' their strict, hcmorable and up- 
right methods in their dealings. 

Our subject was born July 4, 1818, at AVhite 
Creek, Washington Co.. N. Y.. his parents being 
Joseph and Lucy (Hollister) Wells, for whose his- 
tory see sketch of F. Wells. When their son. of 
whom we write, was four 3-ears old they moved to 
Granville, and a j'ear later to Salem. Washington 
County, and there the father was engaged in keep- 
ing hotel. In that town most of the boyhood da^-s 
of our subject were passed. In 1837 he came with 
his father's family through bj' teams to St. Joseph 
County, and lived in their pioneer home on his 
father's farm in Mottville until about 1840, when he 
went to Constantine, and established himself in the 
hotel business on the corner known as "Langley Cor- 
ner." He remained there about seven j'ears. when 
he built the hotel known as the Romaine House, which 
he managed successfully until 1850. In that year 
he leased the hotel, and went overland to Califor- 
nia for the purpose of mining. He remained in 
the Golden State only a short time, however, re- 
turning in the same fall to Michigan. He turned 
his attention to farming, which occupation he con- 
ducted profitabl3' until J 853, when he again en- 
gaged in the hotel business. Two years later, in 
1855, he an<l his brother Franklin embarked to- 
gether in the mercantile business, continuing for 
about six j-ears, when they dissolved partnership, 
and our subject, in the winter of that year ( 18G1 ) 
formed a partnership with T. H. Calam, under the 
firm r.ame of Wells & Calam, and they have ever 
since carried on the business with gratifying success, 
as we have seen. Their house, which has been in 
existence for nearly thirty j'ears, must be one of 
the oldest established in the vicinity. Our subject 
was appointed Postmaster of Constantine in 1862, 
and held that office with much satisfaction to the 
people until his resignation three years later. In 
politics he is a strong Republican, and voted in 
1840 for William H. Harrison, .as he did in 1888 
for his grandson, Benjamin Harrison. 

Mr. Wells and Lydia Arnold were united in the 
bonds of matrimony in Constantine, in 1843. Mrs. 
Wells is the daughter of the late Inman Arnold, 



r 



«► 1 1^^ 



■» II ^ 



.ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



a»o 




who came to Coiislnnline from New York in 1843, 
mnl she was Itorn in I'lindilla. Ot.«e<;o Co.. N. Y. 
Mr. and Mrs. Wells have three eliihiren living, as 
follows: John II., who married Miss Hattie Lyke, 
and lives with his parents; Lucy, the wife of J. H. 
Ilahn, of Detroit; l.cda, the wife of T. H. I'luple, 
of Chicago. III. 

Mr. Wells' life record is th.Htof a man who places 
honor and honeslj' above all things, and his char- 
acter is without stain. He is at once cautious and 
enterprising in his business, and these traits have 
brought him success. He owns a handsome and 
commodious residence, and lives surrounded by all 
the comforts of life. Both he and his wife, who is 
a pleasant, prepossessing lady, are exceedinglj' hos- 
pitable and entertaining to the stranger within their 
gates. 

^ .^.^ ^ 

IL1\)N McINTOSH. Self-preservation 
may be the first law of nature; self-de- 
penflence is one of the vital factors of na- 
ture — at least of human nature. The pres- 
ent sketch designs to present the salient features in 
the life of one whose self-reliance has enabled him 
to succeed where a less determined man would have 
failed. A manly inde|3endence of thought and 
action has been, and is. one f)f the traits of his char- 
acter and notable features of hi.s history. He is 
to-day one of the enterprising and progressive far- 
mers and ?tock-raisers of .St. ,Iosei>li County, and 
ojjorates 160 acres »{ land on section 14 of Nottawa 
Township. 

The father of our suliject. I'eter Mcintosh, was 
born at Navarre. Ohio, and the mother, whose 
maiden name was Sarah Mei-se. was idsoa native of 
Ohio. They were residents of DeKalb County, 
ln<I.. for about forty years. The family <ircle in- 
cluded six children, of whom our subject was the 
second. He first saw the ligjit in Smilliliclil, in the 
above county, on the I'Jth of -Vpril, IM.jT. His 
early d.-iys were spent cm the farm, and he has been 
from his youth brought in contact with agricultural 
lal)or in all its various departments. 

The education of our subject was received in the 
common scIi<m>1s of DeKalb (Dunty. and ufKin its 
completion he remainetl with his |jarents until six- 



teen years of age, when he struck out for himself, 
anil beg-jin life in earnest. For fully seven years 
he worked out as a farm hand, and in 1882 came to 
Nottawa Townsliip, and here purcha.sed 160 acres, 
■which he began at once to improve, and in which 
he saw much more success than he had anticipated 
or c<<nsidere<l po.ssible. Although he has always 
given some attention to general farming, he de- 
votes his efforts mainly to stock-raising, makintr a 
si)ecialty of breeding thoroughbred I'oland-China 
hogs, which he does in large numbers, and is abund- 
antly rewarded for every effort which his enterprise 
leads him to undertake. 

The subject of this sketch was first married, in 
Nottawa Township, to Mary Olney, a daughter of 
the late Joseph Olney. This lady presented him 
with two children, but one of them died in infancy. 
The name of the living child is Neva M. His wife 
departed this life on the 8th of July, 188."), after 
which he contracted a second alliance, and was 
united with Lena Spike, of Kalam.-izoo. This event 
took place in 1888. 

Mr. Jlclntosli was elected Justice of the Peace, 
but felt compelled to resign the office. He is a 
memlicr of the Democratic party, and takes no 
little interest in public affairs, especially where the 
welfare or honor of the people is involved. Hoth 
as a man and citizen he is held in high regard, and 
enjoys a high social position. 

LLSS N. STONK is one of the much esteemeil 
•^ citizens of Burr Oak Township, who have 
i®)))* '>f>rne the bunleii and heat of the day in tlie 
rush of business life, and is now living in re- 
tirement, enjoying the competency he has been 
privileged to accumulate. He was born in .St. Law- 
rence County, N. Y., in Madrid Township, on the 
30th of April. I82(>. ami is the son of Solomon S. 
and Nancy (Nash) .Stone. 

The father of our suliject was brought up and 
educated in his native county, where he first settleil 
in life, and continued to live, following fanning 
until 1«4(1, when he started upon a prospecting tour. 
He returned, and shortly after was taken sick and 




h 



J. 



<^ 



.t 



386 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



died. His wife, the mother of our subject, was a | 
native of Vermont. She became the mother of | 
eight cliildren.of whom four are living, viz: Louisa, i 
now Mrs. William .Stace^-, of Brecksviile. Ohio; 
her- husband was a soldier in the late war, and lost 
his life at Cliantilla. Our subject; Harriet, the 
wife of Julius White, of Brecksviile, Ohio; and 
Stanley G., of the same place. The four deceased 
were: Lucinda, who was the wife of Guy Carpen- 
ter, of Blissiield, dieil at Blissfleld, Mich., at the age 
of thirty-eight years; Celestia was married to Mr. 
Joseph Carpenter, of the same place, and died leav- 
ing one child, Hatlic; Marvin, of the same place, 
died at Blissiield, and Lorenzo, who was a mer- 
chant. 

Mr. Stone came to Michigan in ISIay, 1847, and 
lived in Branch County for about three years, after 
which he came to Burr Oak, where he embarked in 
the mercantile business, and not without seeing a 
large measure of prosi)crit3'. He first came lo 
Michigan in 1847. Before he settled he saw con- 
siderable of Ihe country, and made himself fully ac- 
quainted with the condition of the soil, etc., as to 
its being favorable or otherwise for his purpose, and 
Dually located in Burr Oak. 

In 1850 Mr. Stone was united in marriage with 
Lucy C. Webb, the excellent daughter of H. B. 
Webb, Ksq., of Blissiield. There was born to them a 
daughter. Bell, who is now the wife of B. D. Misner, 
also of Burr Oak. For nine years Mr. Stone held 
the position of Postmaster at Burr Oak, and later 
became a Justice of the Peace. He has seen much 
of the checkered experience of life, and has de- 
veloped a fine character, that wins for him from all 
who know him the most cordial admiration and 
regard. 



!hi,A ORGAN PLANT. Among the leading far- 
mers of Burr Oak Township the subject of 
this sketch holds a prominent position, he 
having aiiled largely in the development of 
its agricultural interests. Whatever he has under- 
taken has been done thoroughly and well, his pres- 
ent possessions not being extensive, but nevertheless 
valuable. His farm comprises eighty acres of land 
on section 34, and of which he took possession in 




1869. He has a little more than rounded up his 
threescore years, and such has been his course in 
life that he is enJDj'ing a hap|>3- and green old age, 
with his children comfortably settled around him. 
useful and intelligent citizens, and in addition to 
them, scores of friends whom he has made during 
the j-ears of a well-spent life. 

The town of Stafford, Genesee Co., N. Y., con- 
tained the early home of our subject, and where he 
first opened his eyes to the light April 30, 1825. 
His father, Stephen Plant, was born in Litchfield, 
Conn., June 24, 1782, and married Miss Melinda 
Bri)wn, who was born in New Marlboro. Mass., Sept. 
6, 1782, the same year as her husband, being bi^ 
junior by only a few months. The}- took up their 
residence in Stafford, Genesee Co., N. Y.. where the 
fatJier carried on farming, and built up a good 
homestead which sheltered him until his death, on 
the 14tliof February, 1853. The mother survived 
her husband thirteen 3'ears. her death taking place 
at Pike. Wyoming Co.. N. Y., March 30. 1866. 

The parental household incluiled three sous and 
four daughters, and our subject is the only surviv- 
ing member of his family. He spent his early life 
on the farm in his native township, and a few 
months after the death of his mother, came, in June, 
18(16. to Michigan, locating first on a tract of land 
three miles north of the village, and which embraced 
the farm afterward occupied by Abner Davis. This 
remained his home until 1868. 

Our subject was married in his native county, 
Dec. 28. 1848. to Miss Alice C. Emerson, who was 
born at Brownsville, N. Y., Nov. 25, 1823. Her 
l)arents were Ira and Dianna Emerson, natives of 
New York, and the father a cooper by trade. He 
carried on business a number of years in Staffor<l, 
N. Y., and with his excellent wife spent his lastdaj-s 
in New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Plant com- 
menced the journey of life together in the year 
1848, and came together to their pioneer home in 
the West, accompanied l)y their chililren, who were 
all natives of .Stafford, Genesee Co., N. Y. Their 
eldest, Frances A., was born March 21, 1850. and 
became the wife of Charles C. Needham, of Burr 
Oiik, Mich., Nov. iS, 1H67. and died at her home 
there Sept. 13. 1887; Alice K. was born March 5, 
1853, and died M.-irch 8, 1854; Caroline A. wsis 



•^^ 





//t,--^-OOZc/-^tx^ L^ /^C-0'Z-->'T, < 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



389 



boiii Dec. 8, 1851, and married, Dec. 14, 1870, to 
Elias P. Williani!i, of Sturgis. Mich.; she now re- 
sides at Uenvor, Col. Albert E. and Alma E. 
( twins), were born Aug. 1 4, 1 8.'>G. The former mar- 
ried, .March 12, 1879, Emma Wilson, of Biirr Oak, 
this State; the latter w.as married. Aiiji. 14. 1872, 
to Jasper H. Emerson, of Caleclonia, N. Y. Daviil 
P., horn July 13, 18;)9, married, Dec. 28, 1885, 
Sarah Pyle, of Hurr Onk, Mich.; he is now a resi- 
dent of Goshen, Ind. 

Our subject and his estimable wife, although not 
members of any religious denomination, usually at- 
tend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and contrib- 
ute liberall}- to the support of tlie Gospel. .Mr. P., 
politically, votes the straight Ucpublican ticket, and 
has been the uniform cncouragor of the enterprises 
calculated to benefit the people around him. He 
is a man of the strictest integrity, one whose word 
is as good as his bond, and with his estimable fam- 
ily occupies a leading position in a coninuinity of 
intelligent and worth\- people. 






OX. Wll.I.IAM ALL. MAN. ex-membcr of 
the .Michigan Legislature, and a retired 
capilali>t and banker at Stnrgis. and whose 
portrait appears on tlic opposite page. ha.< 
made for himself an enviable rccoril a.-ia successful 
business man and useful citizen. He lirst opened bin 
eyes to the light cm the other side of the Atlantic, 
in Yorkshire. England. May 12. 1818. When a 
young man twelve years of age he emigr.-itcd to 
.America, ami for tlie following eight jears lived in 
Canada, engaged at clerking, lie left there during 
the Patriot War in IH.HK. anil came t<i Sturgis; he 
became a student of .\>bnry Inivcrsity at Green- 
castle. Ind.. from wliich he was graduated in 184."). 
lie became a roiilcnt of this count\- in IM.'tK. and 
at once identilied himself with the matters nio>t 
nearly allie<l to its prosiHMity and advancement, 
and in IH.")7 and 1N77 reprc-ented in the State 
l^egislature the district comprising one-half of the 
(Miunty of .St. .losepli. .Mich. In iM.'il he was n])- 
[Miinted Secretary anil Treasurer of the (irnnd 
Kapids A- Indiana liailroad. which position he oc- 




cupied fnmi tlie linu- of its organization until IH.')!). 
a period of four years. 

.Mr. .MIman w.-is appointed a Tru>iec ni Albion 
ColK'ge, with which he was c<>nnecte(l a nunil)er of 
years. During his term of service in the Legisla- 
ture there occun-ed the great contest concerning the 
land grant to i-ailroads in the Stale of .Michigan, 
and concerning which his conscientious and temjier- 
ately uttered opinions had their due effect in its 
settlement. He became counecteil with the First 
National Hank of .Sturgis at its organization, and 
subse(|nently served .as it.< President for nine ye.-irs, 
and until failing health compelled him to retire from 
the Presidency. He was originally a Whig, and 
upon the abandonment of the old piuty he identi- 
fied himself with the Republicans, of whose prin- 
ciples he has been a warm supporter for over tliirt\- 
years; he is a zealous worker for prohibition. 

March 15. 184(!. witnessed the marriage of our 
subject with Miss Louisa Fairchilds. who was l(orn 
in Albany. N. Y.. Nov. 13. 1820. Her parent- 
were .luliiis and Lueretia (Hrain.-ird) Fairchilds. 
natives respectively of New York and Connecticut, 
the father born Oct. 25. 17;tl. and the mother. June 
15, 1798. The fatlier died at his home in Sturgis, 
.Ian. 4. 1H73. and the mother Sept. 1(1. IMCH. Tin. 
former w.as in his early manhood C.-iptain of a 
steamer on the Hudson River. Their family in- 
cluded twelve children, namely: .lane .\.. Mary F.. 
Louisa. Penjamin, Sally. .Vsal 15.. Emily. Ilarriel. 
•lulius, Lueretia. Ezra ami Emily. Of thoe.si.x are 
living, and residing in different States of thelnion. 
Tlie p.arenls of our subject were Major .MIman 
and .M.-irgaret (Ilaxby) .MIman. and they were of 
pure English stock. The father was liorn Nov. 22. 
1791. and departed this life Dec. 2H. 1H5K. .at his 
home in Sturgis. In earlv manhood he learne<l the 
tailor's triwle, but being religiously inclined, occii- 
pie<l the pulpit of the Methcxli.st Episcopal Church 
for a number of years as a local preacher. From 
.Sturgis he moved to Crown Point. Ind.. where he 

' ofIiciat«-d as Postmaster a number of vi'ars. but 

I 

linally. on account of failing health, was compelled 
to retire. .Vt the time of his death there were left 
six children, four of whom are still living, nameh : 
j ElizaU-th. .Mrs. ( inn-e. a resident of Canada. :ini| 
who has been blind for a numlter of years: Matilda. 



i 



•*>Hi:^ 



,t 



■•► 



:'.90 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 




tlu' widow of S. Cade; William ami Amos. .Tohn 
died ill 1«75. and .labez in 188.'). 

To .Mr. and .Mrs. .Mlinan there were liorii tliiee 
children, the ehlesl of wliom. Harriet 1... died in 
inf.-nu V. l-iieretia i.* the wife of Dr. T. I". Thorn- 
loii. a ])raeticiiiji( i>li_vsiciaii of Sturiji>: William M. 
married ^liss Annie, daiisrhtcr of Thomas S. Heals, 
of Detroit, and is eashier of the National IJank of 
Sturgis. 

.Mr. .\llinaii. in 1H(;.'>. iielped to estjiljlish the 
First National IJank of .Stnrjris. and twenty years 
later, in IHK'i, renewed the charter and has .since 
been Vice President. He has been a Director of 
Schools many years, and been active in the erection 
of school buildings, believing soimdly in the edu- 
cation of the young. He luLs contributed more to 
the snpi)ort of the Methodist Episcoiial Church 
than ."iny other member of its congregation, giving 
liberally and cheerfully as his means justified, and 
has held the most imiiortant ufliccs therein for 
forty-five years, and was Sui>erintendent of its Sun- 
day-school for over thirty years. In the public 
meetings called for the discussion of the enterprises 
calculated for the general good of the community, 
he has taken a iiromiiient part, jxissessing as a 
speaki>r rare talents, being forcible and convincing 
in arguiiK'iil. With the exception of Constable. he 
has held nearly all the oHices of the tf)Wiiship. lie 
still retains possession of the spot of grouml u|h>ii 
which he first sell led. and where lie lias built uj) 
one of the most coiiifortabic .■lud atli:irti vc homes 
in the city. 

— i^m- — 

^Ij ACOB HL'RGER. There were few among 
I' the early settlers of St. Joseph Count}' who 
I, took a more thorough hold upon the esteem 
^&)/ and affections of the people than the subject 
of this biography, a native of Pennsylvania, who 
caiwe to Southern Michigan with his parents in 
1.SI7. He was born in York County, in llie Key- 
stone State, March l'>, 1830, and departed this life 
at his home in C(Histaiitine Township. Feb. S, 1882. 
The beautiful and well-ainiointed homestead which 
he built up from a tract of uncultivalcil land, 
left as a rich heritage to his children, is not as dear 
to lliein as the record of his life, which was that nf 



an honest man and a good citizen. The Burger fam- 
ily it is supposed is of German descent, the fore- 
fathers of our subject crossing the Atlantic at an 
early period in the histoiy of America. Henry 
Burger, the father of our subject, was also born in 
Pennsylvania, and upon reaching manhood was 
married to Miss Sarah Benage, a native of the same 
.State. Soon after uniting their lives' and fortunes 
the}- decided to seek a home in the West, and after 
coming to this count}' lived about one year in 
Mottville Township. Thence they removed to 
Constantine Township, where the father died in the 
spring of 18(>G. Mrs. Sarah Burger survived her 
husband a period of eighteen years, remaining 
a widow, and passing away at the home of her son 
Jacob, March 20, 1 884, aged eighty years and two 
mouths. 

To Henry and Sarah Burger there were born 
seven children. Jacob w.as one of the elder mem- 
bers of the family, and grew up a genuine farmer's 
boy. strong of muscle and healthy of mind, and 
when reaching manhood was fully competent to 
enter upon his chosen calling — that of a farmer. 
At the age of twenty-four years he was married, 
Nov. 8, 18o-l. to Miss Lavina, daughter of Wiiliani 
and Catherine (Brower) George, who, like the Bur- 
gers, were natives of Pennsylvania and emigrated to 
this county during its early settlement. They lo- 
cated in Constantine Township, where, they spent 
the remainder of their days, dying at an advanced 
.ige, the father when ninety years old and the mother 
when ninety-one. They were the parents of five 
children, of whom Mrs. Burger was the third. .She 
was born in Pennsylvania, Nov. 2, 1830, and was a 
small child when her parents came to Michigan. 
She with her husband watched the growth and de- 
velopment of this now prosjjerous commonwealth 
with that warm interest only felt by those liberal 
and public-spirited citizens who, while having much 
to absorb their minds in their own concerns, were 
nevertheless not too selfish to interest themselves in 
the welfare of the people around them. 

Five children came in due time to the home of 
Mv. and Mrs. Burger, the eldest of whom, a daugh- 
ter, Sarah C, is the wife of William B. AUerton, of 
Constantine Township; of William H., the second 
chilli and eldest son. mention is made hereafter; 



■•► 



-♦- 



=L. 



ST. .lOSKl'lI COl'NTY. 



301 



Charles M. is carrying on farming on his own «<v 
count not far from the ol<l liomestcad; John J. ilio<l 
when an infant of lifleen months, and a little daugh- 
ter, unnamed, also died in infaney. These young 
l>eo|)le are exce|)tionally Ijright, which qualities, 
added to their careful home training and practical 
eihication, constitute them most promising niemlicrs 
of the community. 

William II. Hurger was born in C'onstantine Town- 
ship, July 12, 1H,")8, and was reared at the home- 
stead, becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits. 
He received a common-school education, at an early 
!ige developing those qualities which have placed 
liim in the front ranks among the leading men of 
his township. Although comparatively young in 
years he has obtained a ^ubstantial foothold linan- 
cially, and in company' with his brother Charles 
owns and 0|)crates 31. J acres of improved land on 
section 11. He carries on general farming and 
stock-raising, and is in the enjoyn)cnt of a good 
income. I'olitically. he gives his support to the 
Republican party. He is unmarried. 



(^^ AMIKI. TKKSDALK, senior member of the 
^^^^ firm of Samuel Teesdale it Son. mannfact- 
lH/_J|) urersof bent woodwcnk and wagon-makers' 
supplies, in C"onslanline, is a well-known and 
honored citizen of St. Joseph County, and has been 
identilieil with its business and industrial interests 
fur many years, formerly manufacturing wagons, 
carriages, etc., as well as tlie present articles with 
wliich he sup)>lies the market. 

Mr. Teesdale is a son of one of the early pioneers 
tif .St. Joseph County, and may be denominated a 
pioneer himself, as he was nearly grown to man- 
hood's estate when he .accompanied his father from 
his native land across the Atlantic to AHchigan, 
in IS.'M, and not long after established himself in 
business here. He was born in Lincolnshire, Kn- 
gland, near the old city of Boston, March ',•, liSl.i. 
His f.ather, .Samuel Teesdale, was likewise a native 
o{ that shire, a> was his mother, whose maiden name 
was Mary Kvason. who died in Englaml in lt*32. 
In 1S34 the f.nther of fuir subject emigrated to the 
I'nitpd States with his children, and coming to 



Michigan, located in that part of .St. Joseph County 
now known as Florence Township, on the edge of 
White Pigeon Prairie, and thus became one of the 
earliest settlers of that township. He lived there 
some twent}' years, clearing his land and carrying 
on agrlcidture, and then sold his property there, 
and bought a place in C'onstantine Township, on 
the line between that township and Mottville. He 
afterward sold his farm there, and retired to private 
life in the home of his daughter, the date Mrs. 
William Heywood, with whom he lived until his 
death, in IHC"). He was the father of eight chil- 
dren, of whom our subject was the second in order 
of birth. 

Samuel Teesdale passed the early 3'ears of his life 
in the land of his nativit3", living with his parents 
until he was thirteen years old, when he was ap- 
l)renticed to learn the wagon-maker's trade and 
wheelwrighting. He served an apprenticeship of 
five years, and then accompanied his father's fam- 
ily to this couutr}-, in 1834. He worked one year 
at White I'igeon, at joiner work, and at the expira- 
tion of that time came to ConstJinline, and started in 
the wagon-uiaking business in a small way. For 
nearly fifty years he was engaged in the manufacture 
of wagons and carriages, and gradu.-diy, by strictly 
honorable dealings and close application to his busi- 
ness down to the minutest detail, he built up an ex- 
tensive trade. He used none but the best material 
in his Work, and his vehicles were so well made 
and so durable that they met with a ready sde. 
In 18.^2 he added the manufacture of bent wood- 
work to his business, still contnuiing the manufact- 
ure of carriages and wagons for a short time. In 
the .same year he admitted his son into partnership. 
with him, ami then discontinued the latter branch 
of his business, the^- now giving their attention en- 
tirely to the manufacture of bent woodwork and 
w.agon-mnker's supplies, which they cany on very 
profitably. 

Our subject has been twice married. His first 
wife, to whom he was married on I'igeon Prairie 
in 1840, was Miss Kll/.abeth Wellbiirn, a native of 
Yorkshire, Kngland. .She bore him three children. 
n.-i follows: Mary, now the wife of Mr. Hall, (if 
Orand Rapids; Kliza, the wife of Levi Machimer. 
and .Tiis( |)li. Iioth residents of Constantine. .Mrs. 



i 



^^ 



392 




ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 




Teesdale, ,1 woiii.in of excellent cli.ir.ncter, who was 
liigbly rc'siiccled tij- all who knew her, departed this 
life in Cunslantinc, in 184'J. Mr. Teesdale was 
married to his present wife, formerlj- Miss Frances 
E. lirynn, in 18.i0. She was the fourth child of a 
family of twelve, born to the late .John and .Sarah 
(Babcock) Br3'an, and her birth occurred In Mos. 
cow, Livingston Co., X. Y.. Feb. 16, I'S^O. Her 
parents were among the earliest settlers of Michi- 
gan, removing from their native State to Ypsiianti 
in l.S2;i. The team that carried their goods from 
Detroit to that place was the first that made its 
way through the woods, cutting a road and blazing 
the way, and occupying live days in going less 
than thirty miles. 15efore that gotxls had been 
shipped down the river, a roundabout ami expen- 
sive route. When the emigrants arrived at their 
destination they found but live families who had 
preceded them, and they were settled on .-in eligible 
place about a mile outside tlie present limits of 
the tlourisiiing city of Ypsiianti. They remained 
liiere until If<;!-I, and came to St. .loseiili County 
in December of that year, casting in their lot with 
the ver3' few ])ioneers who had preceded them in 
Constantino. They afterward removed to a farm 
in Coustantine Township, and subsequently took up 
their home in Constantine, where thev spent the 
remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Teesdale are 
the parents of five children by this marriage, two 
of wliom are living. Lois and .John V>. The latter is 
ill business with his father, and Lois is the wife of 
II. J. Eelker, of Crand Rapids. The other chil- 
dren (lied in infancy. 

It has been Mr. Teesdale's fortune to witness the 
greater part of the development of .St. Joseph 
County from the wilderness, and, coming here in 
the strenglli and vigor of eariv manhood, and with 
great enterprise establishing a business which in 
time became one of the important inclustries of St. 
Joseph County, lie h;is been no mean factor in pro- 
moting the material advancment of tlie county, and 
in him Conslantiiie lias found a useful, exemplary 
citizen. A man of Wnn character, well dowered 
witii firmness, activity and enterprise, together with 
soinid principles and loft}' religious convictions, 
his life has been a success, both from a financial and 
moral sl;uidpoinl. He i:< blessed with a wife of 



more than ordinary- intelligence and capabilitj', who 
can sympathize with and share his beliefs, and 
who at the same time knows well how to manage 
her household attairs, and to make home pleasant 
and attractive to its inmates. Mr. and Mrs. Tees- 
dale are, and have been for nianj' years, among the 
leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and he has borne a conspicuous part in the manage- 
ment of its affairs, holding church ollice continuously 
for forty years, having served as Trustee, Steward. 
Class-Leader and Chorister, having led the choir 
for about f()rt\- j'ears. In ante bellnm days Mr. 
Teesdaje was a strong Abolitionist, and was one of 
the first five in Constantine who voted the Aboli- 
tion ticket. He was one of the first to join the 
Republican jiarly. and through the war and after- 
ward was a strong suiiporter of its policy. The 
prohibition movement appealed to his S3'mpathy as 
a strong temperance man, and he was one of the 
first to join the ]>art_y after its organization, and 
still continues to act with it. A thoroughly good 
man and citizen, he deserves this place among the 
honored citizens of St. Joseph County. 



-v,w-44jej2/©i@ 



k©J^'3OTv,«."wv» 



?RANCIS G. HEALD. D. 1). .s. Prominent 




among the rising members of the dental 
profession in Southern Michigan is the gen- 
tleman whose name appears at the head of this brief 
biographical notice. He is a native of New York, 
born in Kingston, rister County, Nov. 12, 1SU2. 
His parents, Al>el and Celestia ((Granger) Heald, 
were both natives of the Empire State, and re- 
mained there many years after their marriage. In 
1.S07 the}' removed with their famil}" to Indiana, 
and settled in Elkhart, where Mr. Hcild eng.aged in 
the hardware business. He established a nourishing 
trade, and continued thus cngageil until his death, 
in .September, 1879. To him and his wife were 
born six children, of whom three are living, namely : 
Francis C.; Ccn'a, who resides with her mother in 
Elkhart, and .Sheldon, a student in the .School of 
Pharmacy in Chicago. 

Our subject was but four years of .ige when his 
parents removed to Elkhart, and he there received 
the preliminaries of liis ediicntion in its iiiibiic 



-<•- 



ST. JOSKI'II COUNT V. 



393 \ > 



schools. lie afterward atlemlofl Uic Indiana Dental 
College, at Iiidianapulis, from which iio was jri-adu- 
ated in Marcli. 1S,S2. Aftci' rccciviiijf his (iiphmia lie 
worked one-half year with Dr. Harris, of Chicago. 
MoetiM>i; with uiuisual success while there. Dr. Heald 
was cncouragi'd to establish himself in husincss on 
his own aceonnt. and accord ingly, in the sprinji; of 
1883, he visited Sturj^is, and lieinjj- pleased with its 
location and hiisiness indncements, he cletermined 
to make his home here. .'>inee establishing himself 
here he has met with good success, and h.is bnilt up 
a large and lucrative business, and is now one of 
the most popular dental surgeons in llic county. 
Dr. Ilealil keeps apace with the newest methods 
used by his profession.al brethren, and he stands 
deservedly high in his trailing, his skill and excel- 
lent workmanship being especially commended b}' 
all his patrons. 

Tiie marriage of our subject with Alice JI.. 
(laughler of John C. and Caroline (Mathewson) 
IJennett, was solemnized Feb. 28, 1888. She was 
born and reared in Sturgis, and is a young lady of 
much culture and relineinent. Dr. Ileald and his 
wife are much esteemed throughout the community 
for their many pleasant social qualities. Though 
not connected with any religious organization, both 
are interested in the nniral sis well as the educa- 
tional and material advancement of their town and 
conntv. 



J"- ACOH .s. (;|;NT/.LKU i.- one of the le.-iding 
farmers and stock-raisers of .St. .Joseph 
Cimnty, owning and man:iging one of the 
largest and most valuable farms in or near 
Constantinc Township, finely located on section ".'.■). 
On this he an<l his family have a beautiful home, 
as he has erected one of the handsomest residences 
in .Southern Michigan, and has fitted it up with all 
the modern conveniences. His farm is supplied 
with sulistantial and commodious barns, and itther 
necessary buildings, and all kinds of machinery for 
cultivating the land, or in any way facilitating the 
labors of the farm. 

Our subject was born in Washington Township, 
York Co., I'a., Sept. 2'.i, 183:'.. being the sixtlfehiM 
in the family of .lacoh and Klizabelh (Spej-k) 



Gentzler. (For further parental history see sketch 
of Adam Gentzler, elder brother of our subject, 
under whose name a full history of the family is 
given.) 

The boyhooil of our subject was passed on his 
father's farm in his native county, and he received 
a commj)n-school education, lie was about six- 
teen j-ears old when he came here with his parents, 
in 184;>, but Ijefore coming to .Michigan he learned 
the carding and fulling business, and was engaged 
at that for five years; aside from that he has been 
engaged chielly in farming an<l stock-dealing, en- 
gaging in the latter for upward of twenty 3'ears. 
He owns little less than 500 acres in St. .Tosoph 
County, and the bro.ad, well-tilled fields, with the 
fine herds of cattle and horses, all of good stock, 
and the neat and commodious buildings, with all 
the modern conveniences, constitute a model farm, 
with all its accessories. Mr. t ientzler erected a fine 
house, which was destroyed by fire March 23. 
I87;i. He immediately replaced it by one finer 
and more costly, and now has one of the most ele- 
gant residences in St. Joseph County. 

Our subject was united in marriage to .Miss 
Klizabeth Lehmer, in Constantinc Township. April 
27. 18,)4. She was born in Carroll Townshi|). 
York Co., Pa., March 12, 1835, being thej-oungest 
of the four children, two sons and two daughters, 
of John and .Snsaima (Fickes) Lehmer. Her par- 
ents were natives of York County, I'a.. ami weie 
there married, and made their residence there for 
several years afterward. In 1855 they came to 
Michigan, and settled in Constantinc Township, 
where thej' spent the remainder of their live-. Of 
the five children born to our subject and his wife, 
but two, John W. and Adam II., are now living, 
the othei-s d^'ing in infancy. John married Mary 
A. .Stears, daughter of Thomas Stears, of Florence 
Township, and they now reside in Constantinc 
Township. 

Mr. (Jenlzler has accumulated his wealth by the 
exercise of rare business talent and clear judgment. 
He is a man of great ilecision of character, with 
strong opinions, which he docs not[.hesitate to ex- 
press on proper occasions. A man'of his ability, 
worth and wealth, necessarily wields a strong infiu- 
cnce in his community. This is especially true in 



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394 



-■^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



f 



regard to educational matters, in whicli be is deep!}' 
interested, as he believes that education is the surest 
foundation for a successful ajid useful life. He is 
a sincerely religious man, and be and bis wife are 
prominent members of the Lutheran Cburuh, hav- 
ing done much toward building it up. and sustain- 
ing it financially. He lias been Trustee uf the 
church, and as a raeniberufliic building committee, 
was active in securing the erection of the jiresent 
house of worship in ConsUuiline Village. 

Jl^^ OX. THOMAS MITCHELL. The wealth 
'^JJ and prosperity of Conslanline are wholly 
K^ due to the men whose judgment singled it 
^p out as an eligible point for business in the 
midst of a country possessing rich resources ready 
for development by master bands and minds. 
Prominent among these is the subject of this sketch, 
who was for many years intlucnlial in building up 
its business interests, and thus while contributing to 
the advancement of the growth and prosperity of 
St. Joseph County, materially added to his own fort- 
une, and was enabled to retire on a handsome com- 
petence in 18G7, while scarcely past the meridian 
of life. Though not among the earliest settlers of 
this county he may well be considered one of its 
pioneers, as it can scarcely have emerged in any 
great degree from its original wildness when hefiist 
came here, and he has witnessed and airled its 
present advanced state of civilization. 

Our subject is of Scotch-Irish descent, his father, 
John Mitchell, having been born in the North of 
Ireland, where his ancestors had settled, coniing 
originally from Scotland. Mr. Mitchell's grand- 
mother was born in Glasgow. Scotland. His mother, 
whose maiden name was Lois Hall, was born in 
AVasbington County, N. Y., and she there spent the 
earlier part of her life. The grandparents of our 
subject emigrated to America in 179.S. bringing 
their infant son John with them. The latter was 
born in 1797, and on arriving at a proper age was 
apprenticed to the trade of carpenter and joiner, 
which he followed for many years. He was a con- 
tr.ictor and builder at Oswego, N. Y., subsequently 
becoming a farmer, which latter ciccupation he en- 



gaged in until his death, which occurred at Fulton, 
N. v.. in Ks.'jS. His wife died in 18;il. Both were 
justly held in high consideration, as tbey were 
people of prudent, llirifty habits, and were kind, 
careful and tlKUiylitlul in liicir relations with their 
neighbors and friends. 

Our subject w.as the second of the live child ron 
born to those worthy people, and Greenwich, Wash- 
ington Co., N. Y., was his place of birth, and June 
'2i), 18Ut, the date of that important event in bis 
life. His early years were spent on his father's 
farm until he attained bis majority. At about that 
time he engage<l in the foundry business in Oswego 
County, N. Y., following it there for two years. 
His next move was to Syracuse, in his native Stale, 
where he pursued the same business for three years. 
In October. 1843. Mr. Mitchell, seeing in the then 
young .State of Jlichigan a fine opening fi>r his 
business, came to .St. Joseph County, and estab- 
lished a foundry in Constantine. which he managed 
with maiked linancial success until 18G0. He then 
abandoned that business, and subsecpientl}' turned 
his attention to the hardware trade, which he car- 
ried on very prolitabl}- from 1 8Gi) until lf<G7. when 
he sold out and retired to ])rivate life, at least as 
far as actively engaging in any extensive business 
transactions was concerned, devoting his leisure to 
looking after bis property, or emerging from the 
quietude vf his home to take part in the man.age- 
ment of pulilic affairs. Mr. IMitchcll was one of 
the charter members of the First National Bank of 
Constantine, and has been continuously a Director 
since its organization in 1800. and has been for a 
long time and is now one of the Bank l^xamining 
Committee. 

The Hon. Thomas Mitchell and Miss Melirida E. 
Stafford, a native of Madison County, N. Y.. were 
united in marri.age in Constantine Village in June, 
1847. She is the daughter of the late David and 
Kate (Gates) Stafford, who came to Michigan in 
1843 and cast in their lot with the pioneers of St. 
Joseph County, and our subject wiis in the foundry 
business with the father for a short time. .Mrs. 
Stafford died in Constantine, and Mr. Stafford re- 
turned to his old home in New York, where lie 
died. Mr. and !Mrs. Mitchell have a pleasant home 
in a substantial, well-appointed residence, and then 



eir T 



■^•- 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



••► 



395 



liiippy wcdiled life has been blessed to Ibcin by the 
birth of fdur I'hihh'en. i>f whom the foliinviii^ is 
ri'conled : Mary M. is the wife of K. \V. Keigiitley: 
Stafford T. is a student in the hiw ()epai'tn)ent of 
tiie Slate liiiversily nt Ann Arbor; one ehil<l died 
in infancy; Kittic died when lifteen years old. 

Mr. Mitchell is a gentleman of dignified bearing, 
of true refinement, and of unimpeachable integrity. 
His fellow-citizens recognize his worth and ability, 
and liavi- called him at various times to fill i-espon- 
sible oHices, and the town and county have in such 
cases invariably commanded his most etlieient and 
faithful service. He has been Supervisor of the 
township, and has been Justice of the Peace. He 
\Yas elected to the Legislature in the fall of l?i,i|S. 
and served one term with distinction. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, being iilentftied 
with Siloam Lodge No. 3.5, F. iV A. M.. Con- 
stnntine Chapter No. 61, R. A., and Three Rivers 
C'omniander\- No. 29, K. T. He Uikes an active 
])art in political matters, and in him the Republican 
party finds one of its ablest advocates. 

.\MKI, W. R.VNK. Among tin- many ex- 
ample.- we have about us of what ener<rv 
and perseverance will accompli.-h. none 
present evidence of greater .>uccess lli:m is 
represi-ntefl in the life and past career of the <ren- 
lleni:in whose name heads this sketi'b. who. >iiRv he 
was fourteen ycjirs of age. has liecii oliliged to pro- 
vide for his wants by his own efi'urls and exertions, 
which hc'ha.s so successfidl\' done that in- is now 
the owner of a first-<-la.-<s bakery and grocery store 
in While Pigeon. His father, .\ndrew Rank, was 
a native of While Dtvr Valley. .Milton Co.. P.a.. 
where our subje<-t was born .M;i\- 22. iM.'il. The 
cd\ication that he received wa.» obt.Mineil at l)an\ ille. 
I':i.. where he re>iiled until be eanie to White j'iireon 
in l«t;.'i. 

.Mr. Rank wa> fourteen M-:ir> olil « lien he nr- 
riveil here, and from that (l.nv to thepre>ent he has 
been oliliged to depenil entirely on his own exer- 
tion.-. In the early day- of hi- re-idenee here hi- 
-ol<l |K-anuts .-it the ile|H>t. in which bnsine— be put 
.'I- much vim and energy il- though he were tran- 

4» 




sactiiig a business amounting to thousands of dol- 
lars, and he made a suecc-s of it. lieing offered an 
opportunity to better bis condition he went toKlk- 
liart, Ind.. in l«(;!l. and worked in the Lake .Shore 
iV Miebigan Southern Round House, and later in 
the starch mill for sever.al years. While in Klk- 
liart be learned the baking trade. In the spring- of 
l!S7K he came b.iek to White Pigeon and established 
his present busines.s. At that time his entire worldlv 
|H)sse.-sions amounted to $14l>. 

From the humble beginning mentioned our sub- 
ject now owns bis projierty and h:i.s a large and in- 
creasing trade, which represents the investment of 
between *!l..'i( 10 and' *2.(Mt(). All his dealings are 
notably fair and honest, and in mercantile circU-s 
he is known to Ik? a man of undoubted integritv 
and substantial business alulity. an<l in iiis life we 
find an excellent example that the \f)ung man just 
embarking in the field of active life may follow to 
good advantiige, and it shows what mav be accom- 
l)lishe(l by a man who began poor, and adojited the 
principle- of honesty, prudence and industr\' .-is his 
guide, which princii)le- are guide bo.-iril- alouir the 
road to success. 

The subject of this sketch wa.- married to Mi- 
Carrie Dider, A|»ril (i, 1881. She was bi.rn lure. 
Nov. 21. I8.t7. She is the daughter of .lolin Di- 
der. .-I highly res])ected resident of the town. The 
present success that her husband has achievcfl is to 
a great extent due to her faithful and imlustrious 
.-ittention given the business. She assists him m:i- 
lerially in the store, and may be found at her po-I 
at all times, and never under :in\- circuni-tance- 
avoiding a duty, however unple:i-ant it m!i\- be. 
Ih.-it will contribute in any way In tiieir ultimate suc- 
ee-s. It is the <le-ire of both husband .and wife to 
acipiire a coniiK'tency. which, in the eveninir of life, 
will allow them a season of rest and <|uiet. and it is 
admitted that they are o)i the broad road to a re.-ili- 
'/ation of their hopes. 

The grandfather of our -idijeet left him -ouie 
money, but :l- has often h:ip|N-ne<l In-fore, the ad- 
ministrator to whom the -ettlement of the e-t:ite 
was entrusteil. applied the fluids to his own per- 
sonal n-e. ignorinir the right- of our -iibjeet. 
.Some othei- valuable pro|H-rty in Peiin-yh .-inia 
-hould have come to .Mr. Rank, but it has Ik-cii sue- 



f 



■•► 



•«► 



390 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



ct'ssfiill.v witlilifhl until the Statute of Umitatidiis 
intervened, and lie iir now left without i-ect)urse. 

Our suliject attends strictly to his business, and 
lias steadily refused political preferments that have 
been tenderefl him by his friend>. lie does not 
lioast of the (louiishing condition of his business, 
but wisely holds his own council as to his plans and 
future prospects. It is enou!,di to say that he is 
very prosiierous. He is an esteemed member of 
tlie Masonic fraternity. ."Mrs. Rank is an earnest 
and consistent member of the Hefori]ic<l Church. 

' AMKS KENNKDV, of .Sturgis. agent for the 

J Phillips Fanning Mill, is a solicitor of many 
3-ears' experience, and has been very success- 
ful in introducing the said mill into general 
use throughout Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. He 
came to Sturgis in 18;') I, and for several years was 
identified with its industries, both as a manufacturer 
and agriculturist, before entering upon his present 
business. 

Our subject was born in Monroe County, N. Y.. 
near the city of Rochester, Dec. 11, 1830. His 
father, John Kennedy, a Scotchman by birth, emi- 
grated from his native heaths in old Scotland in the 
early days of the settlement of Monroe County, and 
became one of the original settlers of the present 
site of Rochester. There was then but one house, 
a rude log cabin, covered with shakes, on the spot 
where a great city now stands, and there were no 
stieets, the highways consisting of Indian trails, 
.lohn Kennedy married Cynthia Ball, and to them 
came five chihlren, of whom our subject was one. 
Mr. Kennedy had three children by a previous 
marriage. 

He of whom wc write received but a limited 
education in the schools of his native county, as he 
had to w^ork hard and could attend school but little. 
This defective education of his earlier years he has 
greatly improved by observation and intelligent 
reading. He came to Michigan in the fall of 18.50, 
a little ahead of the railways. In 18o-l he came to 
this township from his home in Branch County, and 
has since lived here. He was actively engaged in 
aijricultural pursuits until 1864, when he came into 



the vill.age of Sturgis. and tlic following fifteen 
years was engaged in selling pumps, and a part vf 
the time in their manufacture, although he was on 
the road mostly. Since 1877 he has been engaged 
in the fanning-rnill business, and travels by team 
over Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, doing a fine 
business, as his pleasant, frank manner? and his 
undout)ted honesty (juickly gain him popularity 
with the people among .vliom he travels, and he 
easily makes sales. 

The marri.age of our subject with Miss Martha 
C. Morse took place April iO, 1854. Mrs. Kennedy 
was born in New York .Slate. Aug. IG, 1831. She 
is the daughter of E. '/.. Morse, of Cass County, and 
Permolia (T^h-r) Morse, the first still living and the 
latter deceased. Four chihlren have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy, three of whom live, nanielj- : 
Ella, Frank and Edward. The name of the deceased 
child was Myrtie. who died at the age of ten years. 
Ella married Edwin G. Thompson, editor of the 
Ligonier Leader, and thej- have three children — 
Martha. Grace and Jamie. Frank married Lizzie 
Xolton, and tliej- live at Adrian, Mich., and have 
one child. Bessie. Mrs. Kennedy is a woman of 
superior character, and an active worker in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she is an es- 
teemed member. 

The employers of our subject place the utmost 
confidence in his worth and ability, and he has never 
betrayed their trust. He has always worked for 
their best interest, and is regarded by them as one of 
their best salesmen. He is well esteemed by his fel- 
low-citizens, and he and his wife are pleasanti}' situ- 
ated in a coz}- home. 



*ri«^i^^^i^-t 



()N..I(>11N HAMILTON, cx-mcmbcr of the 
Jl .Michigan Legislature, did good service in 
'J^^ that liody <luring the session of 187!l. olli- 
((^ elating as a ntember of some of its most im- 
jMirtant committees, namely, supplies and expendi- 
tures, and agriculture, and was interested in variou> 
other measures under discussion at thai time, lb- 
has louii' lieen recognized .as one of the most enter- 
])rising farmers of Constantine Township, but in 
the spring of 1882 retired from the active labor> 



f 



-^^ 



i^K* 



ST. .lOSKIMI COUNTY. 



v.r, 



r<>nncfte<l thcivwitli. aiirl is imw takin*; his ease at 
;i pleasant lioiiu- not f;ir from the town limits. He 
i> the owner of 12(> .•iiTt-s of vnhinlilc I:iii<l. wliichis 
|irovi(ii'cI with a tine set of linii(lin<.'s. .-inil wliicii is 
now operateil l>_v liis son Wiillaiii. 

Our siiliji'cl was horn in Woosler. Wayne ( o.. 
Ohio. Sept. 1. 1K12. at the modest honie>te:iil of 
his parents, William anil Nane\ (Inirniver) Ham- 
ilton, who were natives respectively of lieaver 
County. I'a.. .■md of Maryland. They came to 
Mieliii.;an Territory in the sprinj; of 1)^32, arriv- 
iuu here May 2^. and settled in Constantine Town- 
ship, where the father liattled with the elements of 
a new .soil and sneeeeded in Imililinir up a eomforl- 
alile honieste.'id. Here liotli parents spent the re- 
maindei' of their da\ s. William Hamilton pass- 
iiiiT away Dee. I. lHti2. and \\\> excellent wife 
April 17. 1H.")2. 'i"hey reared a line famil\ of 
eiiflit children, four sons and four d.an^'^hter,-. two 
of wlmni .-ire livinir. our sulijecl and W illiaiu.,i res- 
ilient of Dundas. Minn. 

.lohn ll.-iniilton was a younir nian twenty years 
of a^e when he .■iceonipanied his parents to this 
county, .and since that time has lieen :i resilient of 
Constantine Township. The people of this rejfiou 
have lhu> had aliuu<lant op|Hirtunily to make iiis 
acijuaint.anee. :iud the fact that they have entrusted 
him at various times with m;itteis of ;rreal inipor- 
taui'c iu<lieates the esleeni ;uhI conlicliiire in wliieli 
he is helil. rolitie.ally. he l> ;i nu'iidier of the 
Dennicratie party, anil was elected to the l.cirisl.a- 
ture in a liepnlilic.an count \ . rnnniniLr on .-i National 
ticket. He is l>ro:id and liheral-niindeil in his 
views, a man well infornu'd .and not easily turned 
from his pur|M>se. Kew men .are more wideU oi- 
favor.alily known thron;.diout tlii> reirion. He hits 
hnill np for himself a ;;ooil record :i> a man and 
citi/en. one of which his posterity will have no 
reason to lie .aslianieil. 

.Miss Nancy I'oe. of Constantine Township, he- 
came the wife of our sulijeet Nov. I.'{. \M[. .Mrs. 
Hamiltou was horn in St.ark County. Ohio. Nov. 
1:5. |H12. Iiclnii !i few montli> the junior of her liiis- 
liand. 'I'heir union was lilesst-d liy the Mrth of 
twelve children, of whom the record is .as follows: 
Klizaheth hec.anie the wife of William Sloate. a 
resident of Florence Township ; .Sarah married 



Andrew Morristm. of Fabius Township : Marfjaret 
is the widow of l'i;iMcis (Ireeiie. and resides in Con- 
stantine: William I', mairied Miss .lulia l{\inaMin. 
and they arc comfort.alily located on a farm not far 
from the Haniilt<in homestead; they lia\e oiu-child. 
a danuhtei-. Hlanche .M. Matilda .V. married Is.a.ac 
Horn, a well-to-do farmei- of Florence Township: 
.lohn was liist m.arried to .Miss Fliza Denllcr. now 
dece.'ised; his second wife wa.- AHss Susan (iross. 
and they live in T.ark Township. Nancv. .Mrs. 
CMrli> rnwell. is a resident of Cass Connlv. Ilil> 
Sl.ate; (ieorire married lldsey (ient/.ler. and llie\- 
live on a farm in Constantine Township: Harriet. 
.Mr~. l-'ranklin Denllcr. is a resident of I'arkville: 
Heni'v T. is in business in Const.antine. Two .arc 
deceased: Charles when nine months old. and Fli.a 
when lifteen years of aire. 

Mrs. Nancy (I'oe) Hamilton dcparled this life 
at the family residema' in ( onst.antinc. ,lan. III. 
IW\. She was a native of Stark County, Ohio, 
and a lad\ irreatly respected by the people of this 
county, who knew her so lonir and well. She cucour- 
ajjed her husliami in his woithy ambitions and was 
his true and faithful helpmate dnrinir all the vears 
of their wedded life. Her parents were natives of 
I'ennsylvania. .and the mother died in ( )|iio. the 
father in C:i.ss County. .Mich. The Hamilton 
f:imily is of Irish oriuiu. and is represented in 
-Vmerica at a ver\ earlv period In its history, be- 
fore the openini,' of the Kevolutionarv War. The 
subject of this sketch is one of Its most worth\- 
de.scendants. .a m.an who has left his mark anionir the 
e.arly settlers of Soutluan >Hcliliran. .and who will 
be remembered louir aftei' he has dcjiarlcd hence. 

On both sifles the ijrand]>arents of Mr. Hamilton 
took part In the struirirle for indepenilcnce. His 
srrand fat hci'. Thomas Hamilton, enlered the pjilriot 
army ;ls a private, but for irallanl .and nierltoriou.s 
conihu'l w.as promoted to the rank of Captain, .and 
served from the iK'-finninjr "f the war until inde- 
|K'ndence was achieved. William, father of our 
subject, speakinir of his fathci-. often told his chil- 
dren wh.at had been told him by his p.arents: that 
from the time he was six months old until he w;i> 
over three years of aire he m-ver saw his f.athei'. 
who diiriui; all tli.at tinn- wa.s with his couiinand in 
the lield. Ketnrninir to the pursuit.- of peace he 



M^ 



398 



,t 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



s(-tllc(l (Inwn on n f:irm in Wayne t'ountv. Ohio. 
:inil IhciL- till- old soldier lived many years toenjoy 
tlic lilo.-isinsrs of peut-e wliicli liis sword had lielped 
lu win. nnrinsr the second war with (ireat Britain 
lie MLiain en.uaued in the service of iiis country, anit 
was one of theiralhint l)and whodefen(h'd thefron- 
lier aLrainst the incursions of the savajje allies of 
tiie iSiitixh. Full of years and honors, the brave 
|ialiinl passed aw.iy altout the year 182(). leavinjf 
to his descendants a name of which they may well 
lie proud. 

Mr. Hamilton's maternal L>randfather. Insrniyer. 
was also a Uevolutionai-y soldier, and irave his life 
to his country, lieinvr killed in battle. 3Ir. Hamilton 
an<l lii> descendants thus inherit on both sides a 
love of liberty, one of the best bulwarks of a free 
count i\ . 



'iHOMAS t'ATTON is numbered among the 
substantial farmers of St. Joseph County, 
and is successfully can-yin": on agriculture 
on section 3."), Constantiue Township. His farm is 
well tilled and improved, yielding abundant har- 
vests in repayment of his care and toil, and, aided 
by his good wife, he has built up as neat and com- 
fortable a home as one could desire. 

( )ur subject is a native-born citizen of C'ouslanliiie 
Townsliii>. his birth having occurred here April 28, 
1 84 1 , within a distanee of fiftj' rods of where he now 
lives, and he m.ay be said to have grown up with 
the township, as in his early days it can hardly have 
been of any size or importance as regards popula- 
tion and business. The parents of our subject. John 
and Fanny (.Stears) Catton. were both natives of 
England, having been born in Yorkshire. It is not 
sl.-ited when they came to this country, but after 
marriage they settled in Florence Township, this 
county. They lived on different places in Pigeon 
I'rairie until their death, the mother dying in 1877, 
and the father in ists7. They had four children, of 
whom our subject was the eldest. He was reared 
on a farm, and receiveil the benefit of a common- 
.seliool education. Since att.ainiiig man's estate he 
has been engaged cliielly in farniliKr, with the ex- 
ception of six years' experience in business as a 
dealer in agricultural implements. He did very well 



at that, but he preferred the freer and more health- 
ful employment to which he had been reared, to the 
close confinement necessitated bj' his business, and 
he again resumed the pursuit of agriculture, giving 
up his pl.ice in town, but still <lealing to some extent 
in implements. lie has met with the success that 
his labor and strict attention to work merit, and is 
now the possessor of 120 acres of well-tilled land on 
section 35, provi(lcd with comfortable buildings, 
and the necessary appliances for farming. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Lottie 
O'llarra was solemnized in Constantine Village. 
Jul}' 17, I8G5, and their happj" union has been 
blessed to them by the birth of two children, Fan- 
nie O. and Hattie B. Mrs. Catton is a daughter of 
the late Hugh t)"Harra, of Allen County, Ind., 
where she was born Dec. 28, 1840. 

Mr. Catton is a jjractical man of shrewd common 
sense, who deals justly- and fairly with his neigh- 
bors, who recognize him as eminently trustworth}' 
and entitled to their full respect. He and his wife, 
who is likewise held in high estimation, are sincere 
Christians, and conduct themselves in accordance 
with high (>rinciplcs. The}- arc active members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has 
been Steward and Trustee. He is influential as a 
citizen, and while a resident of Constantine ^■dlage 
was a mendier of the Village Board, and held the 
responsible ollicc of Treasurer of that board for one 
year. 

*" " -H — 



llj=^|Kl,A r. SC()\1I.1,K. M. I)., is one ..f the 
ifM\\ ''■•"''".^ pli\sicians of St. .loscph Connl\. 
l'(f^) II and he is also prominent in soci.al and po- 
"^^y litical circles. He is pleasantly situated in 
Constantine. where he and his wife have one of the 
most iittractive homes to be foun<l within its limits. 
He W!i.s an oflicer in the late Civil >\'ar. and won ;i 
• listinguished leputation for bravery and fortitude 
in the time that tried nu'u's souls. 

Our subject is a son of Theodore M. .Scoville. of 
whom sec sketch on another ))agef)f this work. He 
was born in Collinsville. Lewis Co.. N. V.. .^ug. II. 
1H43. The first five years of his life were pjissed 
there on his father's homestea<l. and his parents 
then reniovi'd to Conneaut ville. Crawford Co.. I'a, 






-4•■ 



■•»> 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



.3:»o 



When he wa.< twelve ye.irs of a^e liis parents took 
lip tlieir ivsidi'iu'c in Hiirkc. Dnni' Co. .Wis. 'I'lircc 
venrs later the family seltleil in Warren. Oliiii. 
Two years after tliat. our snlijerl. a lad of .seventeen 
years, started out in the world fur himself. Previous 
to that lime he had uaiiied the preliminaries of his 
ediieatiun in the eoinmon sehools. and had attended 
the Normal Seliool at Madixin. \\i>.. ;ind also at 
Warren. Iliiio. lie then went to I'nion .Mills, 
Krie Co.. l':i.. for the purpose of studying inedieine 
with the late Dr. 11. K. I'helps. and wa.s with him 
one year, lie «!Us inakiiiir rapid protjres!* in his 
studies when the jrreat Keliellioii lnoke out. and 
though he was amiiitious to lit himself for his pro- 
fession ami to enter upon his duties, his intense 
patriotism and love of eountry liore down all 
things elsi'. ami at the lirst signal of distre.ss he 
lliiiig ajiide all youthful liojies and aims and sprang 
to the defense of the stars and stripes, enlisting in 
the sjiring of IMtil for a term of three months, 
.laii. ;». 1KI)2, the young hero again enlisteil, and 
Iteeame a niemlier of the 12tli Pennsylvania Cav- 
alry, with the rank of Sergeant, lie was suhse- 
(piently promoted to be .Seeond Lieutenant of his 
regiment. His seeond term of .serviee e.\tended to 
.Iiily 2", lM(i,"). when he wits lionoralily di.seharged. 
His regiment w:ls an independent organization, and 
most of the time aeted .as seouts, and in lighting 
.Mosli.\ "seommand and other guerrillas in the .Shen- 
andoah \'alle.\-. Our sulijeet took part in many 
important liattle.< and wa.s never found wanting in 
liravery or devothni to the eause. and wa,s always 
in his plaee in the heat of liattle. While seonting, 
just previous to the battle of (lettyslmrg, having 
twenty-live men under his eliarge, he was quite se- 
verely woiiiideil, but he did not tlini'li and would 
not allow hi:* wound to prevent his taking part in 
the battle. At Winehester. \'a.. he al-u leeeivecl a 
slight wound in the shoulder. 

.\fter his retirement from mijitarv serviee .Mr. 
S<-oville returned to C'rawforil t'ounty. Pa., and re- 
Mimeil his me<lieal studies umh-r the direetioii of 
Dr. Whitley, of Conneautville. lie remained with 
him one year, and then entered the liiedienl depart- 
ment of the I'nivei-sity .at .\nn .Vrbor. lli- was 
gradiiate<l from that institution in the spriiii; of 
\xi\X. and tliii.- well eipii|>ped entered iipnii the 



praetiee of Ins profession at .Mottville. in this 
eoiinty. lie <-ontiiMied there eleven years, lb- 
then established himself in Constantine. where he 
hits built lip :iii extensive praetiee. lie is ver\ 
popular, .and is the beloved physieian in many a 
household, where his presenee has brought healing 
and stayed the eoniing of the .Vngel of Death. 

Dr. Scoville and .Miss .lennie Ilutehisoii were 
unit«'d in marriage in Constantine. in l««(i. .she 
is a daughter of the late .lames lliitehison. and w:ls 
born in Mottville Township, this county. The 
Doctor and lii> wife have a flue, well-appointeil 
rcsidenee on Washingtcju street, and their ple.-isant 
household eirele is eoni|)lcteil by the presenee of 
their little son. C harles S. 

The Doctor has attained liis present high pii>iliiiii 
a.s a member of the medical profession in ,St. .UKsi-ph 
County solely by the exercise of talents of a high 
order, seconded by worthy ambitions and an in- 
domitable will. At one time he was obligeil to rcliii- 
(piish a part of an extensive i)racticc. .ts his health 
threatened togiveiyay on .account of his devotion to 
his beloved calling, but his heiUth has improved, 
and he is once again in active practice. lie is 
liromiiieiitly identified with the .Masonic fraternity. 
Iieing a member of Constantine Chapter No. (>!, 
H. A.: of Three Rivers Conimanderv No. 2il. K. 
T.. and he is at present, and has lieen for the Last 
three years. .Master of Sijoain Lodge No. .'i.'i. 1-". .V- 
A. .M. lie h.a.s taken (piite an active jinrt in po- 
litical matters, and is in full .sympathy with the 
Democratic part\-. 



\I/ KVI T. IIl'LL, editor and proprietor of the 
ll (^' '^'' •^"^''P^' ('"Hilly .\<li'fi'tisi'r, is a native of 
jli^ Monroe County. N. Y.. born Feb. 14. 1830, 
his parents being Henj.amin I), and Polly (Ilecox) 
Hull. The Hull family are of Knglisli descent, but 
for many generations have been settled in America, 
in fact long prior to the Revolution. The father of 
cmr subject was born in the State of New York, liv- 
ing there until 1838. when he removed from Niagara 
County to Washtenaw Comity. .Mich., where he 
renteil and ran a sawmill. He died, however, in 



August of the following year, at Augusta, in that 



•► ^ ■l ^ 




400 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



county. His widow survived him but two years, 
dying in Saline Township, in the same county, in 
June, 1841. 

Our subject was thus al an early age thrown on 
his own resources, and had to make his own wa}- in 
the world. How well he profited b3' the lessons of 
ndversit}' is shown by his subsequent c.-uccr. Soon 
after the death of his father be was taken into the 
family of Austin Converse, in Briilgewatcr Town- 
ship, Washtenaw Count}'. Here he lived and worked 
until 1848, heli)ing to cle,ir and develop a farm in 
the heavy timber which then covered that count}-. 
In the year name<l, being eighteen years of age, he 
determined to learn a trade, and entered the office 
of the Ann Arbor Anjus to acquire the trade of a 
printer. In that establishment he remained until 
the spring of 18.50. when he came to St. Joseph 
County, and leased the otiice and business of the Si. 
Joseph Ctiuiity A(l'-ertis<>)\ which was then published 
at Centreville. In June, 18.")1, he removed the paper 
to Constantine, where he has ever since published 
it, having subsequently purchased it. 

June 10, 1853, Mr. Hull was married to Helen 
Gray, daughter of Hurr D. and Amy Gray. The 
former died in Constanliiie. in 1871, and the latter 
in Cold water, Mich., in 1870, she being at that time 
stayirg there temporarily. Mrs. Hull was born at 
Charlotte, Chittenden Co., Vt., July 7, 1831. This 
marriage has been blessed bj- the birth of six chil- 
dren, of whom one died, an unnamed infant. The 
survivors are: lA>e G., who followed in his father's 
fuotsti'ps. and is now foreman in the office of the 
Herahl at Morris, III.; Fred A. is employed in the 
t)nice of the Newspaper Union at Fort Wayne. Ind. ; 
AVarren C. is Superintendent of Schools in Albion. 
Jlich. ; Helen L. is the wife of Rev. Bastian Sniits, 
l)astor of the Congregatitmal Church in Constan- 
tine; and Henry H.. also a printer, assists his father 
in the newspa|)er ollice. 

The entire adidt life of Mr. Hull has been p;is.-e(l 
in Constanlinc, where he is as well and favorably 
known as any citizen in this part of the county. 
His journal, which he conducts in a clean and 
wholesome manner, circulates largely in the village 
and county, and exercises a wideinfluence for good. 
While Mr. Hull is personally a stanch Republican, 
his aim is to make a local newspaper which will be a 



welcome visitor in ever}' family in the county, and 
in that desire he is meeting with gratifying success. 
Mr. Hull h.as been called by his fellow-citizens to 
fill positions of trust and responsibility. He has 
been Township Clerk, for about twenty years a 
Justice of the Peace, was a member of the Consti- 
tutional Convention of 18C7, Assistant Assessor of 
Internal Revenue for years, and until the office was 
abolished; Collector of Internal Revenue for the 
.Second District of Michigan from 1873 until the 
district was discontinued in lS7t>, and was Deputy 
Collector from 1870 to 1881. In all the positions 
he discharged their duties in a manner highly cred- 
itable to himself and satisfactory both to his con- 
stituents and his superior ollicers. As a man he is 
respected by all who know him, and as an editor his 
opinions have much weight in the community of 
which for nearly forty years he has been an hon- 
ored member. 

- ♦>r^«C-< 

1^1 RS. MARY A. COOK. Too nnuli credit 
cannot be given to the noble men and wo- 
Si men. who. during the early settlement of 
.St. Jc>sepli County, strenghlened the hand> 
of their husbands in battling with the diHicultie,- 
of pioneer life, and bravely encouraged them in 
their worlliy ambitions of subduing a ]H)rtion of 
the Great West an<l providing the way for the ad- 
vance of a l:iter civilization. .\s a ty|)e of one of 
these, the lady whose life history we briefly note 
deserves more than a passing mention. .She is now 
ap|iroaching lier threescore years and ten. and after 
a well-spent lifr is ijiiit'lly jiassing her declining 
vears at a |ile;isant home in Motlville. surrounded 
bv hosts of friends, who only name her but to 
praise. 

Mrs. Cook was lioni in Northumberland County. 
I'm.. .\ug. l!l. 182". and is a daughter of .lolin and 
Catherine (.Mover) lla.-<s. .lohn Hass. alsoa native 
of the Keystone State, was born in the year 1777. 
and pursued the [n'aceful occupation of farming. 
He was a good man in all that Ihc Icrni implies, 
a member of the Lutheran Church, and after the 
organization of the Republiean p.-ii'ty became one 




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^^•^h-^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



■101 



of it's staiH'hcsl adherents. His wife. Catlierine, 
was lioni the sjiiiie year as himself. ami hutli passed 
away in Mil. the ileeease of the father oeeiirriiiir 
May l.'i. and that of the mother M:ircli .'i. 

.Miss .Mary A. Mass was llrsl married to .lohii 
Shirts, liy whom >lie lieeame the mother of two chil- 
dren, who are lioth residents of Montana: .Vinelia 
married .lolin ( urr. and is the nn)ther of two chil- 
dren; Toliias m:irried .Mi.-s Susan l.nlirink. and he 
is the fathei' of eiicht children. 

( )ur snlijeet after havinfr liveil a widow some 
time was married to William Cook. Dee. M. I8.")0. 
Mr. Cook was horn in (Jenesee County. N. V.. in 
iMill. :ind died Sept. 7. 1.-<M. lie came to .Miehi- 
iran Territory as i^arly as IH.'l.'i. and for forty-eiirht 
yeais thereafti-r lived the life of an upright and 
praiseworthy citizen. Politically, lie atliliated with 
the Demoeratie party, ami socially, was a mendu'r 
of the I. ( >. (). F. In relisjions matters he was 
a consistent memher of the Methodist I'.piseopal 
CInirch. to which .Mrs. Cook also helonus. 

To Mr. .and Mrs. Cook there were horn live chil- 
ilren. one of whom. Willard. is a resident of .South 
Frankfort, this State: his twin lirother. William, is 
ileceased. l-'.mma is the wife of Sanim-l Fnrl\ . ami 
they reside with .Mrs. Cook: .Vliee is the wife of 
.lohn llarker. and lives at Kdward>linru:. this State: 
llcrmeo m.arriecl William Fro>l. and they livt- in 
South Frankfort. 



-;»»!»> 



->^^ 



■ '^♦tf^ 



i= 



J'OSKPH W. UKIFF is a native-born citizen 
of St. Joseph County, Constantino Township, 
where ho h.as passeil the most of his life, 
having been the place of his birth, and Jan. 
(), 1838, the date thereof, and since early manhood 
he has been an inip»)rL'int factor in developing and 
sustaining its great agricultmal intcrt-sts .is one of 
the most intelligent and skillful farmers of this com- 
ninnity. His farm on section lo, in point of ctdti- 
vation, valuable improvements and neat appearance, 
ranks with the best in his neighborhood. 

Our subject's parents, Abram and Catherine K. 
(Kutter) KcifT, were pioneers of St. Joseph Count}', 
coming here in IS.'iO, when the country ronndahont 
41 



was still in its primitive wildncss, it being but 
sparsely settled here and there in the wilderness, and 
casting; In their lot with the early settlers of Con- 
stanline Township who had preceded them. They 
were natives t>f Pennsylvania, and after marriage 
made their home for awhile in Berks County, that 
Stall'. Three years after settling in this townshi)) 
they returned to Pennsylvania to revisit their old 
home and friends, and there, amid the scenes of his 
youth and early manhood, the father of our subject 
departed this life. To him and his wife h.ad been 
born four sons: Isaac H., wlu) resides near Constan- 
tino Village; Franklin II., who died in \'andalia, 
Cass Countj'. this State, in February, 1883, leaving 
a wife auvl three children; Joseph W. ; and Horace, 
who died when a lad of six years. 

The mother of our subject was married a second 
time in the s[)ring of 180 1, becoming the wife of 
Nathan .Syas. .She and her husband settled in this 
county near the village of Constantine, where he 
died. Mrs. .Syas dieil in Vandalia. Cass Count}', 
June 1'2. 1.S74, while there on a visit. 

Joseph was an infant of about six months when 
his father died, and he was Anally brought hack 
from Pennsylvania to his native place by his uncle, 
George Rutter, and he was reared to manhood on 
his father's farm in this townshii), where his mother 
continued to reside until her second marriage. He 
was educated partly in the common schools, ami 
subsetpiently had the benefit of one term at a good 
graded school in the village of Constantine. Since 
atUiining man's estate he has engaged chiefly in 
.agricultural pursuits with gratifying success, and 
now owns liO acres of fine fanning land, on which 
he has a substantial set of buildings. 

October 1, 1803, our subject took an im|)ortJint 
step toward the upbuilding of his present home by his 
marriage to Miss Klida Fitzsimmons. in Constantine 
N'illage. She is, like her husband, a native of St. 
Joseph County, having been born in Florence Town- 
ship, March '28, 1844. She is a daughter of William 
and Anna (.Morrison) Fitzsimmons. natives of the 
.State of New York. They came to St. Joseph 
County in 1844, and settled in F'lorenee Township. 
The_v afterward removed tf> Centreville, where Mrs. 
Fitzsimmons died Sept. IH, 1846. Mr. Fitzsim- 
mons is still a resident of Centreville. They had 



Jt 



<^ 



^ 



402 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



two children: Henrietta, who died when five years 
Dili, and Elida, Mrs. Reiff. 

Mr. Ueiff is possessed of sagacity, forethought 
and energy, so combined witli prudence, thrift, and 
steadiness of purpose, that iiis success in his calling 
was assured from the start, and he is now in com- 
fortable circumstances. He and his wife are people 
of easy, pleasant manners, and their home, the seat 
of true hospitalit}-, is attractive alike to friend and 
stranger. Mr. Keiff is inllucutial in public affairs, 
and takes an active interest in politics, being one 
of the leading Republicans of this place. He has 
been Commissioner of Highwaj-s for five years, and 
has been zealous in improving the traveling facili- 
ties of this region. He has also held various 
school olHces, and has done what he could to pro- 
mote the educational interests of the townsliii). 



-' SI g -^^^sf-M- 

VK^ORMAN IIAIvVKY, decca.xed, wa.s for more 
I jji than three tlccades one of the mo.st proini- 
\vs,xL] nent and cntei prising citizens of St. .losej)!! 
('(lunly. and a> one of its pioneers and IjU.siness men 
liiirc a distinguished i)arl in promoting its growth 
and advancing it.s agricultural, manufacturing, 
commercial and financial interests. Coming here 
in l«;5.'i. while still in the prime of early manhood, 
he at once identifieti himself witli the interests of 
Constantine Township, and made them his own 
until the d.ay of his death. 'I'hus, under his eves 
.•ind with his energetic .nssistance the present site of 
the township that he found in the depths of the 
foi-est primeval with a few straggling log cabins .as 
the only evidence of the white man's i)resence, has 
gradually changed t<> a line, highly productive 
farming country, with many pleasant homes and a 
busy. |>opuli)Us village, where commerce and manu- 
factures fiourish. 

Mr. Harvey was a fine representative of an hon- 
orable New Kngland ancestry, and he was himself 
liorn in that section of the country, June 2;J, 1807, 
the pietty town of Rupert, Rennington (\)., Vt., 
being his birthplace. His father. K|ihraim Harvey, 
was a native of the same .State, and his mother, 
I'ainelia Harwood, was of a well-known A'ermont 
fainilv. His father was a farmer, and oui- subiect 



w.as reared on the old homestead. His opixjrtuni- 
ties for an education were somewhat better than 
were ac-corded to farmers' lads in the early years of 
this century, for besides the common-school privi- 
leges that he enjoyed in liis Ijoyhood. he attendeil 
the academy at Salem. N. Y., and diligently pur- 
sued a goo<l course of instruction there which 
ami)ly (jualified him for the profession of teacher, 
and in his younger days he taught school during 
the winter months for sever.al years. In lK2ft his 
marriage with Rhoda, daughter of Seth and Rho<la 
Moore, of Rupert, was consummated, and in 183."5. 
with his wife and two children, our sul>ject re- 
moved to St. Joseph County, this State, where he 
began the life of a pioneer. By active labor he 
cleared a valuable farm of 400 acres, two and oiie- 
iialf miles north of C<mstantine, on which he re- 
sided twenty-two years. In 18,")o Mr. Harvey 
removed to Constantine Milage, and became ex- 
tensively engaged in various kinds of business — 
farming, milling, manufacturing, real-estate and 
mercantile operations, one and all engaged his 
attention. He always took a lively interest in any 
sdienie looking toward the advancement of the 
material interests of the county and township, .•iiid 
as one of the founders of the First National 15ank 
of CiHistantine was very active in procuring its 
establishment in this village, and he was one of its 
Directors until the time of his de.ath. Our subject 
was .scarcely past middle age. in the period of his 
greatest usefulness, and his friends might reason- 
ably have hoped that he woidd be spared to tln'ui 
many years longer. Rut it was not to be. and A]jril 
17, 18ti(). he passed to the life beyond. This sad 
event w,as a severe blow to tiic business interests of 
Constantine. ami in hi> death iii;uiy lost a vahieil 
friend. 

Mr. Harvey was a m:in of warm liearl and large 
brain, uniting tirmnessand dignity of character with 
great natural sweetness of disposition and suavity 
of manner, and as he was always genial and helpful 
to those aln)ut him, his friendships among all chusses 
were many and warm. He w.as, however, .seen at 
the best a<lvantage in his home amidst his loved 
ones: as a husband, he wjis thoughtful and tender; 
as a father, he was affectionate and always devoted 
tf) the interests of his children. In his business re- 



-4«- 



••► 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



10;} 



4 



Intidiis Mr. ll!H\i'\ W!is faitlifiil aiul Inistwuillix . 
:iii(l as siU'li a malt was iictMlcd in the irniilaiu'c i>f 
piililic- affairs, lie was oflvii incsscd liy liis fi'llow- 
i-iti/.ons to take civic positions, the ullice cvcrscck- 
iiisj tlic mail, and not the man tlic otlicc. and for 
several years he acted in the varitius eajiacities of 
Sn|H»rvisor of tlie ■ towiislii|i, .liisiicc of the Peace, 
and was an incnnilieiit of various iniinn- olllces. 
( )iir suliject was never hickiiiir in <h'vi)tiiiii In his 
own relijfious convictions, and also iiever imiuiiid- 
ful nf the respect ;ind sympatliy due to those who 
differed most widely from him. In e.-iriy iiiaiihixid 
he united witli the C'ontrregational ('lunch at Kii- 
pert. \'l.. Imt after leaviiifj his old home aniinij;- 
the New Kn«rlaiid hills and coininir to this State, 
he liecaine an attendant at and snpporter of the 
Reformed (Inirch at Coiistantiiu'. 

The wife of our siiltjei-t. Klioda .Mo<ire. was horn 
in Knpert. \'t.. in Kehniarv. 1«08. and died in Con- 
stantine. .March it. IM'.i. She hore an estimahle 
t-liaracter and wiis a sincere Christian, whose death 
was widely mourned. .Slie was the mother of ten 
.sons .•iiid two daiiijhters. five of whom now survive, 
and all residents of (onstantine. N. II. and 1). .M. 
are farmers; .1. M. is coniiecteil witli the floiiriiiji;- 
mill and the First National P.ank: \\. \\. is e.-tshier 
of that hank, and also connected with the mill. an<l 
Minerva A. is the wife of (ieorge 1. Crossett. of 
whom see sketch on another pajie. Those deceaseil 
wt'ie named: Charles .M...Setli .M.. Lyman 1'.. Will- 
iam S.. Scth M.. IJhoda P. and Cephav 



ON. i;i)\V.\l!l) W. I'HNDl.KTCLN. This 
ifciitleman retired from active liiisinesssome 
time since, and is now livini; at a line home 
n the city of Stnriris. lie is familiarl\' 
known to a larjje proportion of the residciit.s of 
this county. ha.vin<; cjusl his lot with its |K'ople in 
li^'ri. His earliest recollections are of a modest 
home in Fulton County. N. V.. where his hirlli 
took place Dei-. i:i. 1H2.'). 

Henry and Hannah (Wheeler) Pendleton, the 
parents of our subject, were natives of Connecti- 
cut anil New York respectively, the father hi'injj 
horn in Ocloher. Ixno. He wa- a farmer liv oceii- 




p.'iliun. :! iii:mi of ^mod liusincss capacities, ami liveil 
to attain his threescore ye;ii-^ and ten. pa.ssinjj 
away Oct. 20. IK7(I. 

The fjitlier of our »ulijecl U'ft the Ijiipire Stale 
in 1H.1."). and coiiiinu; to .Michiiran. settled in ISiirr 
Oak Township, wlicre he Ipecanic owner of a ifoodly 
tiael of l.iiid. Al the time of his death he had dis- 
posed of all liiit 12H acres. He traced his ances- 
try to Knjrl.Miid. his trraiidfathcr liavins; lieeii .Maj. 
IJaync Pendleton. He spent his last years in IJiirr 
t>;ik. this county. The father of our suliject was 
independent in politics, and althoiiirh not a meiii- 
i lier of any religious denomination, he lived an up- 
right life, aiming to perform his iluty toward his fel- 
lowincn. and socially, a memlicr of the 1. O. O. F. 

Mrs. Hannah Pendleton, our suliject's mother, 
was horn in IHlll. and died when comparatively a 
young woman, in IMlK. in Orleans County. N. V. 
She wius of Knglish and .Scotch <lescent. and a Bap- 
tist in religion. Of her union with Henry Pendle- 
ton there were horn eleven children, namely : .Sarah 
I... living near Denver. Col.: F-dward W.. our 
suliject: l-;iiza {'.. Charles 11.. .lon.-ithan .M.. .lames 
M.. William 11.. Ira W. and l).ill;is M.: two died in 
infiincy iiiinanicil. .Nine of Ihc childreii iixi'dln 
mature years, and six are now living. 

The suliject of this sketch was reared to mair 
IiikkI on the farm, and pursued his first studies in 
the district school. Later he attended .Vlliion Sem- 
I iiiary one term. In .Manh. IKllf. he went to 
California. Iiy way of the Isthnuis of Panama, 
and tliroiighoiit the winter following conducted 
a lioarding-house in San Francisco. During this 
time there were two camps in the neigliliorli<iod of 
similar names, one hcing Culver and the other Col- 
lier. 'I'lie first-nameil w.is |)resided over hy the 
l{ed .Lncket Company, and the latter had liei-n doiiii; 
some mischief to the Chilians. The l.-itter. in onler 
to revenge themselves. fire<l into the Culver camp 
through mistake, killing two of the lied .lai-ket 
men. the suliject of this sketch iH-iiig ab.sent at that 
time in Saii Franci.sco: this event naturally created 
iiiiich cxciti'inenf in that region. 

.>h-, Pendleton in the spring following retiii'iied 
t*i the mines, where he remained one year on a claim 
which he had taken up. and then returneil home, 
after li.avini: heeii aliseiit t wenty-eiiiht months. The 



•►-Hl^ 



■•► 



404 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



4 



experiment in tiie meantime had jnuved (jiiite prof- 
itable. In tiie fall of 18i>l he made his* way to t'hi- 
easro. 111., where he i)ureh.'L-ied horses, wliieli he 
shipi>ed to Albany for .sile. In 18.52 he eame to 
.Aliehis^an, loeateil in ,'>tnrgis, and establi.-^lied him- 
self in the hotel and livery bnsiness. 

On the l:*t of October, 18iji). our .■<ul)jeet having 
laid the basis of a future eompetenee. w;is united in 
marriage with Mrs. Kveline L. (Heard) Moore, who 
was born in .St. Lawrence County, N. Y., Jan. 'J, 
1831. Her parents were John and Persis (Peten- 
gill) Heard, natives of Vermont. The father was 
born in 1795. was a farmer by oeeui)ation. and died 
:it his home in Kalamazoo County. Mieh.. in 1872. 
The mother, who was born in 1800. survived her 
husband a period of eleven years, her death Utking 
place in 1883. They were the parents of twelve 
children, namely: Caroline. Adaline. Cieorge. War- 
ren. Samuel P.. Kveline 1... l.miisa K.. llolden. 
Maria A.. William J.. Dexter and I.everette. They 
all lived lo mature years. Dexter died in the army 
during the Civil War in 18^2. and nine are now 
living. 

Mr. and Mrs. Pendleton after their marriage .set- 
tled in Sturgis. where they have since lived. Of this 
\inion there is one child only, a son. Kdward W.. 
.Ir.. who w.ns born March 6. 18(i3. lie is now a 
pharmacist by profession. He was gratluated from 
the Military Academy at Orchard Lake in 1883. 
Hoth father and son are Knights Templars in Ma- 
sonry, with which fraternity Mr. Pendleton became 
identified as early as 1854. and has been one of the 
active workers in the order. His e.stimable wife be- 
longs t^i Eastern Star Lodge, and has ollieiated as 
(irand Matron of the State of ^lichigan. besides 
occui)ying .all of the other ollices of the order. She 
has also been State Treasurer for the hist six years, 
and takes a lively interest in matters pertaining 
tlicreto. Mrs. Pendleton is a very intelligent and 
cultured Christian lady, keeping up with her hns- 
liaud upon the leading (piestions of the day. an<l 
coinciding with him in iMililics. tliey being both in- 
deiH-ndent. 

Mr. Pendleton was elected to the .Michigan Legis- 
lature in 1878. and during his term of service wjus 
on important committees. He held the ollice of 
.Justice of the Pe.ace for a period of eight years, and 
^ 



has been prominently connectcil with the School 
Hoard for a long season. He- serve<l in 1885 .as 
Deputy SherilT. and w.ns particularly cHicient in 
ferreting out a gang of counterfeiters who were 
oiK-ratiug at that time in M. .lo>i'ph County. He 
was one of the jjrimc movers in the building of the 
public librar\- at Sturgis, which was estalilished in 
1884. Of this he w.as the first President, and was 
instrumental in securing a permanent funil so that 
the public should be sup[)lied with free reading 
matter. ^Irs. Pendleton has been a leading spirit 
among the temperance peojile of this county, doing 
ellicient service, and contributing liberally of her 
time to this most important work. 



-^-^iVHi^^^:^-^ 




ENRY STULL, .'1 re[)resentative farmer and 
pioneer citizen of Hurr Oak Township, came 
to this section of countiy when the cabins 
of the settler were few and far between. 
His homestead comprises 120 acres of good land on 
section 17. where he has labored to excellent ad- 
vantage, and surrounded himself and famil}' with 
all the comforts of life. 

Our subject was born in MitUin County, Pa., 
township of Keeler, Jan. 29, 1820, and is the son 
of Barnhardt and Elizabeth (Goss) Stull, the for- 
mer a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of 
what was then Cnion County, Pa. The father was 
a farmer bj- occupation. Barnhardt Stull and his 
excellent wife were people highly respecteil in their 
community, and after well-spent lives passed away 
at their home in Pennsylvania. 

The sid)ject of this sketch when a yoniig man 
twenty-four yeai-s of .age left his native Slate and 
took up his residence in Seneca County, Ohio, lo- 
cating on a tract of land in Thompson Township, 
where he carried on farming twelve years. He 
had, prior to leaving his n.ative count3-, been mar- 
ried, in 1839, to Miss Elizabeth Decker, who w.as 
born in Union County, Pa., Jan. 25, 1821, and who 
is the daughter of Henry and Mary A. (W.agner) 
Decker, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and 
spent their last years, the former in Ohio, and the 
latter in Michigan. To our subject and his es- 
timable wife there were born four children, namely : 
-•►- 



■1^ 




J 




^^:^<^ck''z-<^o^cyia1' 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



407 



Harvey, Amanda, Lovina und Charles. The j'oung- 
est son is the only child living, and he remains on 
the homestead with his parents. lie was married, 
in 1«7."), to .Mi:sS Kliza, daughter of I-'rederic-k II. 
and Clara liastian, of dinger Lake, and they have 
three children. Charles is the owner of eighty 
acres lying north of his father's land, and, like the 
latter, is full of encrg}- and enterprise. Mr. Stull, 
politically, votes the sliaight Democratic ticket, 
and is a member in good standing of the Dutch Re- 
formed Church at Colon. 



»M£C.'©^r' 



'-S!-SW!'3»»v 



ON. .lo.NAllI.VN \\. I-1,A.M)|;KS. atlor- 
ney-at-law. is a worthy representative t»f 
^ the intelligent. indeiK-ndcnt and enterpris- 
ing citizens of Sturgis. where he has lived, 
a respected and honored man. for morethiiu thirty 
years, lie is oT good New Kngland origin, having 
lieen horn in Colebrook. X. II.. April IH. 1«22. 
Ills ancestors were natives of (Jermany. who emi- 
grated to Wales, thence, during the reign of ( ieorgc 
III. came to the Inited States, and at oni'c took 
their rightful position among the intelligent, nnjral 
and law-aliiding citizens of the country. ,\ greal- 
un«'le of our siilijcct was at one time a profes.-.or in 
Dartmouth College, and other mem hers of the family 
have <K'cupicil worthy iH)sitioiis. havliig hccn edu- 
cated and upright men. 

Kzekiel Flanders, the grandfather of our sul)ject, 
enlisted .-is a private in the Continental .Vrmy when 
only si.xteen years of age. and fought during the 
entire devolution. Francis Flanders, father of our 
subject, a niitive of Sutton, \t.. w:is a soldier in the 
War of IHI2. After his nnirriage he lived for >ome 
years in New Hampshire, then. (U-sirinj; a change, 
in February. 1M2«. nn)vcd with his f.imily to New 
Vork. and located in Canandaign.-i. lie remained 
there until l«ll. when he :ig:iin emigrated with his 
family still farther West, settling in Fawn Hiver 
Town-hip. this county, where he engaged in the 
wiMilen business. He was a Democrat in politics, 
and held the otlice of .lustice of the I'eace during 
the la>l twenty years of his life: also l*ostnnt»ter 
for M'verai years; both of said ollices beheld at the 



time of his death. He was a charter member and 
First Worshipful .Master of Meridian Sun l,o(li,'c. 
of Sturgis. 

The subjeil of our >kt't( li was .-i xoung child 
when lie left the liill> of lii> ii:iti ve .New Ilamjtshire. 
and liis ciliu-ation was begun in the district sclioojs 
of Can.nndaigua. N. Y., where he lived until tlic 
renunal of his parents to this State. For four 
yeai-s after coming to F'awn Hiver our suj>jcct 
:»ssisteil his father in his business, then, in IMI.'i. 
returned to Canandaigua and complete<l his law 
studies, lieing admitted to the New Vork bar in 
18411. .Vfter practicing his profession in that Stale 
for cme \ear. our subject came to Fawn Hiver and 
helped his father to build a large woolen factorv. and 
jussisted in the management of thi' business until 
18;')G. August .') of that year he opened a law 
(,)flice in Sturgis. where he has since been busilv 
employed in his profession. He is the pioneer at- 
torney of ihix place, and. witii the cxccpticm of one 
retired lawyer, of St. .loscpli County. He was jid- 
miltcd to practice in thi> State in lM."i2. ami in the 
I 'nited States Court in \HC,V). He has a clear. <lis- 
ccrning intellect, great decision of character, is an 
able and lluent s|)eakei-. and hmidles his cases with 
a high degree of judgment, evincing in the plainest 
nnmner close resc.Micli and careful -tudv in their 
preparation. His work is never faulty or neglected. 
b\it compares favorably with the best efforts of the 
attorneys of the State. }>lv. Flanders hx- been 
retained in many import,ant cases, and while livin;: 
ill l-'awn IJiver wxs counsel for T.-iyne. in the cele- 
bralcil damage suit. f,ee rn, I'ayue. the case havin>; 
licen carried to the Supreme Court. He is also 
frequently retaiiiecl in criminal >nit>. liaxing been, 
during the war. counsel in the murder cxse. the 
I'eople m. .Mien, and in m:iii\ olber iin|Kirlant 
cnses. 

The marriage of the Hon. .1. W . Flanders with 
.Miss Kli/.abeth Sutherland daughter of the late 
.losiah Siillierland. of Canandaigua. .N. '^■.. took 
place Sept. 22. IH.'iT. .Mrs. Fi.-inders was a woman 
of rare personal worth, a devoted wife, intelligent 
cum|mnion. a loving, tender mother, and her death, 
which occiirrefl May 2, IHT'.I. was a sail blow to her 
alllicted liouseliold. She iMjn- her husband one 
child. .lohn S.. who married Miss Henrietta, daugh- 



i 



M- 



408 



±. 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



ter of William Stiirsis. and jfranddaiiwliter of the 
late .hidirc -lolin Sl\iiiris. one of the tiist settlers of 
this county. 'I'liey liave one ehild. Ilenrv 1. In 
polities he is a jn-offressive and airj,'ressive Dennj- 
erat. and lias aided his son in eslalili.'-hing the news- 
paper known as tlie Michkian Demorrat. piililished 
at Stiiriris. 

Soeiallv. our >iiliject is a charter member (if the 
Commanderv, a M.osonie order, of Sturgis, and had 
the order of kniirhthood conferred on him in the 
Cokhvater Cdnun.andcry. Althoujih he has several 
times accepted the nnmin.-itinn for Prosecuting At- 
torney and for Circuit .ludge. at one time running 
on the Democratic ticket, he cares not for public 
otlice. He has also been a candidate f(ir the State 
Legislature, and in IHHl fur I'residi'Utial Klectoi-. 
He is a thorouuhly honest, sipiaie-dealing man. 
possessing in the highest degree the coMl'Hlcncc of 
his clients, wlio fre(piently entrust witli liini laigc 
sums of money to invest for them. 

The portrait of Mr. I'landers is [H'oentcd on an 
adjoining page. 



4 



^=^1{AXK H. .VIXCKH. ])ulilisher. jiroprietor 

Pfi ami editor of the Sturgis Jnuriial. one of 
the m(tsl iiilhienlial and ably conducted 
country papers in the Stirtc of Michigan, is not 
only conspicuous as a journali>t. but as a hading 
and public-spirited citizen of SI. .loscph County. 

Our sulijecl was born in Chagrin Falls. Cu\ahoga 
Co.. Ohio. .\ug. 2!t. \»:>-i: llis father. William 
W. Ainger. a leading lawyer, well-known anil 
patriotic citizen of that State, died in the ]irime of 
life in ISIU. while recruiting soldiers for the late 
war. riic mother of our subject, whose iruaiden 
name was Nan<'V Hrainard. wasa nativeof Fremont. 
( Hiio. and a woman of wide information and fertile 
intellect. To her and her husban<l were born live 
children, of whom Frank 15. was the youngest. 
The others are Daniel 1!.. Charles F.. .Marcia .\. 
(.Mrs. Armour) and Clara .V. (Mr-;. Wheeler). 
Daniel 15. is Adjutant (ieneral of .Michigan. lie 
was formerly l'ostnni>ter at Washington. 1). ('..and 
was once also a nuiierintcndcnl of railway mails. 

.Mr. .Vinger. of wlnim we write, went with his 
l)arents to Fremont. Ohio, in IHt)."), and thence to 



Napoleon, in the same .State, in 1807. In the latter 
town he learned the printer's trade iu the Henry 
Ontiily Signal oHIce. that paper having been 
established by his brfither and uncle. Subsequently 
our sidiject went to JIaumee. Ohio, in 1H7;?. to 
accept the i)osition of foreman on the .Maumee 
City Advertiser. In the same fall he went to 
liryaii. Ohio, as foreman and city editor of the 
Bryan Press. In January. 1874. he bought the 
Deliance (Ohio) Ejq)ress. and conducted it until 
aftei' the Hayes and Tilden campaign in 1M7(!. In 
the spring of 1877 he sold that paper, and returning 
to Hryan. resumed his former jiosition on the 
Press. In the fall of 1878 he established the 
Middleville Blade, in Barry County. Mich., and 
conducted it until the month of December, when he 
disposed of it iu order to accept the e<litorial and 
business management of the Charlotte (Mich.) 
HfpuhJican. the jn'operty of his brother, the 
(u-neral.who had been a])i>ointed Superintendent' 
of Hallway Mails. Our subject acted in his com- 
bined capacity of editorial manager until A|iril. 
188:5. .\t that date he came tt^i Sturgis and leased 
the Journal for one year, but before the expira- 
tion of that time he was apix)inted railway mail 
clerk 1)11 the Michigan Central, between (iraiul 
Itapiils and Jackson. After a few months he re- 
signed that position to return to the fields <if 
journalism, buying the Journal, which he has 
since conducted with signal success. This pajx'r 
was established in 18(;0 by Hon. J. O. Wait, of 
Stur'i:is. one of the most prominent business men 
;inil politicians in Soutlii'iu Michigan, .'iiid it w.as 
under his luanagcnient for several years. Mi\ 
Aiiiirer was married in (iodfiey. 111.. May 2."). 1876. 
to Miss Hattie N. .Sims, daughter of Robert 
Sims, now of Alton. 111. They have one child. 
Frank 15.. Jr.. born May 2;'). 1877. 

.Mr. .Vinger possesses great executive ability, and 
a varied experience in journalism, and he has given 
his p.apcr a diameter and inrtuence that places it 
among the best journals in the Stale, and its edi- 
turi.'ils and other matter are often ipiotetl in the 
Detroit dailies and State papers. He is President 
of the Sturgis Improvement Committee, conijiosed 
of (iftvof the most prominent business, professional 
and iiuMieved men of this locality, whose object is 



,t 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



409 



to advance the interest.s of Sturgis. While hoUUiitr 
this |>o.<ition Mr. .Miiircr h.-i.s liei'ii vitv .ictive in 
;i<lv;nu-iii<J cvcrv si-hi-iiu' for the (ievelopineiil of 
the town and the .suiroiindinir eoiintrv. anil, with 
his confreres, has assisted in secnring all those con- 
venienees and improvements that make this a 
in«Klel town and a very desirable locality in which 
to make one's home, besides assisting in the estah- 
lisliment of .several manufacturing industries here, 
and securing the building of the ('. A' St. I,. 
K. \V., thus making Sturgis the market foV (|uite 
an extensive area of farming country and the 
junction of three 4-ailways. Our subject w.'is the 
original projector of the .Sturgis Klectric I-iglit 
plant, .and is a stockholder and director of the 
company. He has just closed his fourth con.secutive 
year as Deputy State Oil Inspector, having served 
two years under (iov. Alger and was re-a])pi>iiiti'd 
bv < Iov. Luce. 



#^ 



'^ ARRI.M)N H. LAWRKNCK, a son of one 
of the earliest pioneers of Michigan Terri- 
tory, and late a well-to-ilo resident of Flor- 
ence Township, w.os born in Monroe Conn t}", 
this .State. .Sept. 1, 182.), and when a little lad three 
years of .age came with his parents to this county, 
of which he has since been a resident. When a 
youth of fifteen years the father of the family was 
called hence, and Harrison H. natm'ally assumed the 
man.agement of the honieste.ad, remaining ujion it 
until a man of twenty-seven years. In the fall of 
IH.'iihc purchased seventj'-five acres of land on 
section .5 in Florence Township, from which he 
built up a good homestead, and where he spent the 
remainder of his da\'8, p.assing aw.ay on the 1st of 
April, 1888, when nearly sixty-three 3'ears old. 

The subject of this sketch is the son of Jere- 
miah Lawrence, who was born in Connecticut, Sept. 
■J.'i. 179s. He came to Monroe Count}', Mich., in 
1812. and moved to White Pigeon in 1829. living 
there five years. In early manhood he married 
Miss Alpha Calhoun. He and his excellent wife 
spent their last daj's in Florence Township, (i rand- 
father Lawrence dying Nov. 1. 1841. Their fam- 
ily consisted of nine children, three of whom are 



living: Allen and Horatio in California, and Jere- 
miah in Florence T<)wii>liip, this State. 

Our subject when ready to establish a hearth- 
stone of his own, was married in White Pigeon, 
Feb. 4, 18.'>0, to Miss Marj- A., daughter of Louis 
and Clara (Anthony) Oarrison. This lady was 
born in AUiaiiy, N. V., July 2.3, 1831, and was the 
second in a family of six children. They came 
to this county about 183<''. settling in Constaiitii>e 
Township, where the father was onl^' i)ermittcd to 
sojourn a few years, his death taking place when he 
was comparatively ayoiing man. at the age of thirty- 
six years. The paternal grandfather came to this 
county, and spent his last years in Constantine 
Township, dving at the advanced age of seventy- 
six years. Mrs. Clara Garrison Corwin is still liv- 
ing, making her home in Three Rivers, and has now 
arrived at the advanced age of eighty-two j-ears. 
After tiie death of her first husband she was married 
to Edwin Corwin. 

To .Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Lawrence there were 
born three children, one of whom, a daughter Lucy, 
died at the age of fourteen years, nine months and 
two days. Lorenzo C, the eldest living, was born 
Dec. 2G, 1851, and isoccupied at Florence in farm- 
ing and stock-raising; Jennie May, Mrs. Breese E. 
Moore. W!is born Feb. 6, 18G7, and lives with her 
husband at the old farm. The}' are the parents of 
a bright little girl. Hazel Fern, who was born Dec. 
1 2, 1 88G. Lorenzo Lawrence, a resjiected citizen ami 
a man of decided views, alliliates with the Demo- 
cratic party. Besides Harrison H. the children of 
Jeremiah Lawrence were Lorenzo W., Charles A.. 
Wiilcott H. (the first white child born in Florence 
Town^hip), Lucy C, Horatio F., Cynthia J., Jere- 
miah A. andAlthia A. (twins.) 



»»>.-^)<(-J«>^<5<- .<;<«,> 



\1 



)AMKS PHILLIPS. Among the citizens of 
.St. Joseph County who in 3'ears gone by 
have materially aided its growth and added 
to its prosperity, the gentleman whose name 
is at the head of this sketch occupies no mean 
•position, and \vc are pleased to be able to present a 
brief record of his life to the readers of this vol- 
ume. He is now living in honorable retirement in 



A. 



^ ^ ii <• 



410 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 




his pleasant home in Sturgis, having by the quiet 
force of persistent effort, directed by some discre- 
tion and a conscientious devotion to dutj', gained 
a well-deserved competency, so that he can now 
l)ass his declining j-ears free from the cares and 
toils that beset his early manhood. He is still the 
possessor, however, of a farm, which, with its well- 
tilled acres, neat buildings, and other valuable 
improvements, is considered one of the finest pieces 
of property within a radius of man}' miles. 

Mr. Phillips has been a resident of St. Joseph 
County for over fiftj' years, and it has been his 
privilege to watch the great change that has been 
been brought about jince, when a lad of thirteen or 
fourteen years, he came here with his parents. 
Michigan had that j-ear been admitted into the Union 
as a .State, but tlie greater part of it was still an 
unreclaimed wilderness, as the people were but be- 
ginning to dimly comprehend tlie va.^tncss of the 
many and varied resources of the State, although 
there had been settlements made on her borders 
more than a century, yea, more tiian a century and 
a half before, the first permanent settlement being 
made at .Sault St. Marie in 1G88. But as late 
as the first quarter of the present century it was the 
conlirracd belief that the interior of the .State was 
a vast swamp, this belief being supported by the 
geographers of the day and by the Government 
surveyors who had penetrated the primeval forest 
to survey bounty lands for tlie soldiei-s of the 
Union. This had so retarded emigration to 
this fair and goodl}' country that when our subject 
came here the gigantic task of clearing a.\\sxy the 
forests, draining the swamps and cultivating the 
wild prairies, found here and there, had but scarce 
begun. It required the herculean labors of brawnj', 
brave, stout-hearted pioneers to subdue the power- 
ful forces of Nature in the wilderness. As a result 
of their work and that of their successors Southern 
Michigan can now boast of as fine an<l i>roductive 
farms as can he found in the Union, and her com- 
merce and manufactures in her thriving towns and 
prosperous cities are as flourishing as in other 
States. 

Our subject may well be proud that he has had a 
hand in developing the agricultural resources which 
form so important a source of the wealth of the 



State of his adoption. He has also been conspicu- 
ously identified with the civic life of his township. 
having served as Township Treasurer for two 
years, as School Director for some 3-ears, and 
as School Assessor for nine years. He is a quiet, 
unassuming man, whose downright honest}' and 
simplicity of character, combined with .shrewd 
common sense and good business qualifications, 
render him thoroughly respected by all with whom 
he comes in contact. He is a prominent member 
of the Masonic fraternit}', and has taken the ninth 
degree, that of Knight Templar. 

He of whom we write was born in Ulster County, 
N. Y., Jan 7. 1823. His father, Elijah Phillips, 
was a native of the same State, and was there reared 
and married, Catharine Hogan, a native of New 
York, becoming his wife. To them were born 
seven children, three of whom are living, namely: 
James, Hiram and Margaret. In 18.37 Mr. Phil- 
lips came to Michigan witii his family, travel- 
ing on the Erie Canal to Buffalo, whence they 
embarked on a lake steamer for Toledo. There 
the father bought two 3'oke of oxen, and with the 
household goods started for his destination in this 
county, passing through the famous Cottonwood 
Swamp. That was before the days of macadam- 
ized roads, and the poorly constructed highways 
were almost imp.assable, it requiring three days to 
get through the swamp. The women came on the 
primitive railw.ay that extended between Toledo 
and Adrian, the cars being drawn bj' horses, 
and from the latter city the}' came to St. Joseph 
County by stijgc. Mr. Phillips purchased wild 
land in thir- township, six miles west of Sturgis, 
and in the pioneer home that he established there 
our subject grew to stalwart manhood. He 
received his education in a subscription school that 
w.as taught in a log cabin, with slab seats, and 
a board on pins against the wall for a desk. 

January 1. 1851. Mr. Phillips and Mary Brown 
united their lives for better or for worse. She was 
a daughter of Archibald Brown, and was born in 
New York, in 18'20. Her parents came to Michi- 
gan in 183.1, and were early pioneers of this county, 
settling first in Burr Oak Township, and the next 
year coming t<i this township. The unit)n of 
our subject and his wife provccl a happy one. and 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



411 



f 



it lia> been blessed 1)V the birlli of three children, 
two of wlmm arc living, Archibald and Mar}' .1. 
Archibald married Adda llaiicr, a daughter of Lewis 
Ilancr, of White Township, and to them three chil- 
ilrcii have been born — llonici', Xir^il and l-'.dna. 
Mary J. married Herbert B. Henry, of this township, 
and they have three children — James, Catharine 
and Mary. 



|<r=^ KLSON I. TOlJKY. a druggi?t of Sturgis, is 
j[ jji a line rcprcscnUitive of the young business 
|1!j/^ men of St. Joseph County, native and to 
the manner born, who are fast stepping to the front 
to take an active jtart in sustaining and extending 
the e.vtensivc commercial interests of Southern 
Michigan. He is a worthy descendant of an old 
pioneer family of this county, his grandfather, 
Bracy Tobey, having been an early settler in this 
part of Michigan, and taken an active |)arl in its 
development. 

The parents of our subject were William and 
Augusta (.Sanborn) Tobey, natives of .Schenectady, 
N. Y., and Vermont. When the father of our sub- 
ject was fourteen years old he accompanied his par- 
ents to their new home in the wilds <»f Southern 
Michigan, an<l here, amid the exigencies of the pio- 
neer life that prevailed in those early days of the 
settlement of .St. Joseph County, he grew to m.an- 
hood. He married Augusta Sanborn, daughter of 
Gideon and Jane .Sanborn, and they began their 
wedcled life in Burr Oak Townsliip. Some yeai-s 
later he moved willi his family into Sturgis. 

Nelson Tobey was born in Burr Oak Township, 
May 7. liSGl.and when in his seventii year came 
to .Sturgis to make his home with his granilfather 
Tobey, that he might attend the city .schools, where 
lie gleaned a substantial education, as he was a 
bright, intelligent lad. He began his career as a 
druggist in the store of Mr. Anthony, for whom he 
clerked a |)eriod of six montli>. He subsequently 
clerked in Hibbanl's drug >tore for .seven years, 
and became thoroughly familiar with the drug 
business in all its details, and is n tirst-class phar- 
maceutist in all that the name implies. In Septem- 
ber, 188.'i, .Mr. Tobey esLalilislied himself in his 
P'?sent Ijusiness. He has a neat and pleasant store, 



well fitted up, and carries a full line of drugs, medi- 
cines, paints, oils and a general line of sundries, 
having a capital stock of >il,80i). and his annual sales 
amounting to ^4,000, he having (luite an extensive 
and prosperous trade. 

Mr. Tobey was married, April 1 I, lf<82, to Miss 
Clara B., daughter of the late M.alaclii and .Sarah 
(Williams) Roat. She w.as born in this county. 
She has become the mother of two children, Alta 
and Teddy. Our subject is a young m.in of good 
1 jR-rsonal habits and of high character, and his tact- 
ful and gentlemanlj' manners have won him a large 
i degree of popularity. He pays strict attention to 
his business, and his long experience in that line 
I has given him an enviable knowledge of the <lrugs 
I that he dispenses and of their various uses, so that 
; his customers patronize him with the utmost con- 
lidence. Mr. Tobey is identified with the Knights 
: of I'ythias as a prominent member of the order. 

4 ;»i^->^^MtfS«fH (, 



i' 



I^'RVING J. GOODKNOW, the enterprising edi- 
tor and proprietor of the White Pigeon Jour- 
J nal, was born in Henrietta, Monroe Co., N. Y., 
April 10, IS.'iO. where he resided and i-cceived his 
education. He was graduated from the Academic 
Institute at LeHoy, N. Y.. in June, 1868, after 
which he engaged in printing and publishing in 
Holly, Mich. This business he has since followed. 
He was foreman in the Daily Denwrat office in 
Grand Rapids for several years. When he left 
that position he went to Marlette. Sanilac County, 
and purchased the IiuUj:, which he remodeled, and 
changed the name to that of the Marlette Leader. 
which he published for four years, and made it one 
of the leading pa|)ersof that section of the State. 

His venture here proving successful our subject 
disposetl of his business, and in the spring of 1884 
he went to Ceilar .Si>riiigs, Kent County, and was 
employed in the oflice of the CVi/>y)*>r until .September. 
1888, when became to White Pigeon and purchased 
the ./'<i<r;i<i/. which he is now "puljlishing. It is an 
eight-column folio, and is one of the most .spicy 
and well edited newspa|K'rs of the many published 
in the county. He enjoys a liberal share of adver- 
tising patronage, and has a very large and incrcisiiig 

•► 



tl2 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



Hr 



paid subscription list. The editorials in the paper 
are alwa3-s short and direct, having for their sub- 
ject the current events of the da}-. The editor is a 
level-headed, elear-tliinking individual, and his 
paper has a great influence on all questions of pub- 
lic and vital interest. 

This gentleman was married to Alice A. Smith, 
Feb. 2-2, 1871. She is the daughter of Elijah Smith, 
who is now deceased. They have become the par- 
ents of four children — Fannie, Ralph, Maud and 
Harold. Thej' are verj- bright and intelligent and 
are a source of much comfort to their parents. 
Thej- are attending the schools of their native town, 
laying a foundation for acquiring such knowledge 
as will make them useful members of society. 

The subject of our sketch has never sought any 
public oflice, preferring to wield any political in- 
fluence that he might i)i>ssess through the columns 
of his paper, the circulation of which would allow 
him to reach every week the hearts and minds 
of Ills many intelligent readers. lie was a dele- 
gate to the Republican State Ccrnvt-ntion which 
met in Lansing in 1882. He is an honore<l mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F., and is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

-^ ^-^ ^ 




*L^ 



INDIL H. CALAM, a member of the Arm 
of AVells it Calam, dry -goods merchants of 
Constantino Village, is a man whose business 
ability has given him prominence in mercantile and 
financial circles in St. .Toseph County, and rendered 
him no unimportant factor in its material pros- 
perity. 

Our subject was born in Yorkshire, England, 
July 20, 182G, being the eldest of the four children 
of John and Mary (Harwood) Calam. They were 
lifelong residents of Yorkshire, where his father 
carried on the trade of butcher. JIuch of the ear- 
lier life of our subject was spent with his grand- 
parents on a farm until he was fourteen years old, 
when he was apprenticed for six years to a shoe- 
maker to learn the trade. After the completion of 
his term of apprenticeship he followed that voca- 
tion for a year and a half in his native land, but in 
the early part of 1850 the course of his life changed, 



he having determined to seek a new home in the 
United States, and crossed the Atlantic for that 
purpose. After his arrival in this country he made 
his way to Sturgis, Mich., and was engaged by his 
uncle to work on a farm. Two years later he 
abandoned farm work to resume his trade, and 
building a small shoe-shop in .Sturgis. he was actively 
engaged in making shoes there for about two years. 
He then came to Constantine and established himself 
here as a manufacturer of boots and shoes, and 
built up quite an extensive trade, sometimes em- 
ploying as many as ten hands to fill his orders. He 
continued in that line of business until the winter 
of 1861, when he formed a partnership with John 
M. Wells, and they have since continued together 
in the mercantile business. They have a commo- 
dious, neat and well-arranged store, do a large 
business, and arc prospering financially. Jlr. Calam 
was apitointed Postmaster of Constantino July 
29, 1867. and lu'ld that office until April, 1886, 
when he was succeeded l>y the picseiit incumbent, 
E. J. lleimbach. Prior to his appuintment his 
partner had been Postmaster for several years, but 
during that time Mr. Calam discharged the duties 
as defjuty. making more than a quarter of a century 
in all in which the office was under his management. 
While holding that oflice our subject discharged its 
duties with a faithfulness and efficiency that made 
him popular with the people. In politics he is a 
true Reijublican. and has taken quite an active part 
in part}' affairs. He was fi)rmerly a member of 
the Reformed Church, and since its consolidation 
with the Presbyterian and the change of name to 
the Congregational, he has been identified with 
that. He is entitled in the fullest degree to the 
respect and confidence of his fellowmcn, as his 
character is without blemish, and his life is guided 
by upright motives. He early displayed the tact, 
keen sagacity, and prompt business habits that 
have made him so successful in his mercantile ca- 
reer, and has placed himself among the most pros- 
perous and well-to-do citizens of Constantine 
Village. 

Mr. Calam has been three times married. He 
was first wedded in Florence Township, St. Joseph 
County, to Miss Ann, daughter of the late Robert 
Shellcock. She was born in Constantine, and her 



:^^h-4. 



ST. JOSKPII COUNTY. 



413 



death oc-euiTcd in that villaj^o .Ian. 2, 18CI. .Slie 
l)ore him live I'liildren, of (viioni Robert F. and 
Charles E. arc the only ones now living. Tiiose 
dfoeasi'd are .Mary and Annie, who died young, 
and .luhn M., who died at the age of twenty-seven. 
•Mr. CaJam's second wife, whose maiden name was 
Martha .). Melcalf, died in dmstantine. He was 
again niurried in tliis village, Miss Lizzie Wai-h- 
tenhauser l>eeoraing his wife, and she still presides 
over his pleasant home, making it comfortable and 
attractive. 

^=??K(»i;<.i: W. .\1( ).M\. Although not having 
if <^w} '*' P'"*"'' :""<"ig Ihe old-time settlers of the 
^^5) town of White Pigeon, this gentleman t.lkes 
an important positi4in in the busine.-^s circles of the 
town, where he has large laisiness interests, lie is 
one of the |>ronioters and active managers of the 
Cyclone Fanning .Mill Company, one of the thriv- 
ing and growing business enterprises in the south- 
ern part of the .stale. He is at |>re.sent one of the 
foremen in the factt»rv. 

Our subject is a native of the town of Sharon. 
.Schoharie Co.. N. V.. where he was born Sept. 18. 
IKll. Uoth his jiarent.s. .lohn and Nancy ( Mere- 
nes.s) Moak. were natives of the same county, lie 
is one of a family of seven children, live (^f whom 
are living, namely: (leorge W.. our subject; .Jacob, 
.lohn. .\bram and Nancy M. Oiu- son. Nicholas, 
died in the army during the Rebellion, lie was 
marrii'<l and left a wife and live children. The 
brother David wa.s killed on the .\lbany A- .Sus(|ue- 
hanna Railroad, lie wjls deaf, having lost his hear- 
ing while in the I'nion Army during the late wai'. 
lie lost his life by stepping from one track of the 
roail. to get out of the way of an approaching 
train, directly in front of one approaching from the 
opposite direction, and wa.s run over and killed. 

The eilueation obtaine<l by the subject of this 
sketch was in the common .scIiim>Is, in which he 
availed himself of every advantage oflfere<l. and 
nc(|uired habit.s of study and observation, which he 
exercises daily. IIi- came to White I'igeon in 
IMtlO. where he has live<l contin\iously. except the 
ve:ir>^ lielween !><•!" nn<l 1H72. which he "iK-iit in 



lierrien County. Mich, lie is a carpenter, and he 
followed that occu|)alion until October. IHHt;, when 
he engaged in his present business. The factory 
operated liy the Fanning Mill Comp:iny is well 
eijuipped with the latest improved labor .saving 
devicKs. including one single-surfacer. a band-.saw. 
mortising-machine. rowting-machine sticker. an<l 
with a full complement of I'ip and cut-ofT saw>. 
The power is sup|>lied by a 2()-hf»rse |K(wer Ames 
engine. The mei'hanical [K-rfection of the mill 
manufactured is due. to a large extent, to the 
knowleilge possesse<l and a]>plied by our .subject, 
it is designeil to be simi)le, and at the same time; 
substantially constructed, that it may be able t-o 
withstand the rough usage often subjected to in 
the hands of the farmers. 

.Mr. .Moak was married to Louisa (Jeist. No\ . >*. 
IHdH. She is a daughter of Thom.a.s (ieist. Ibr 
father is now decea.sed. They are the parents of 
live- chililren. four of whf>m are living — Charlie. 
Vina. Mety and Frank. The decea.se(l child w.as a 
son. Fearl. who died at the .age of live yeai-s. I'lic 
<loiuestic life of this gentleman is exception:ill\ 
happy, and with their four children about I hem. 
the parents have one of the most pleasant .-ind 
.agreeable home circles in the neighborhood. 

The subject of this sketch wa.s a soldier in the 
late war. lie enlisted in ('om[)any F. IS.'Jd New 
York Infantry, in which he served two years, and 
particiiKiteil in the baltles fought during the his- 
l<»rical Red River ex|X'dition. and in the Shenan- 
doah N'allev. \'a.. a.s well as many of the smaller 
skirmishes. lie wa.s not wounded in any of llicm. 
but w.ts sick in the hos|)ital f(»r five months. lb' 
was honorably discharged, and is n<»w an a<'tivi- 
member of theC. A. R. Post at White Pigeon: he is 
al.so !Lss<x'iate<l with the .V. F. A- .V. M. 

Our subje<-t is f»ne of those men who have from 
earliest IhivIiihxI earned their living by the labor 
of their hands. In this ca.se he Inis performefl his 
part in life nobly. .\s a car|N-nter and builder he 
hits, by attention and study of the in:iny mechanical 
principles e<ninected with his calling. nuLstered the 
profession in all it.- details, lie <-onsidere<l th:it 
anything wtirth doing at all wxs worth doing well, 
anil when engagt-il upon any work he devoted his 
entire time and attention to il« successful comiili-- 



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i 



414 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, 



nr 



tion. and lahorert hotli mentally and pliysically to 
attain tliat rosiilt. As a consequence tliere is no 
one in tlie vieiiiily who has a better knowle<l,ije fir 
a more thonmirh understanding of tiie trade, ami 
has a better repul.ation as a nieehanic than uur sul)- 
ject. The business in wliieh lie is now interested 
is destined to make him one of tlio wealthy and 
tinaneially solid men of tiie county. His residence 
is in a neat and tasty buililing located on East 
Chicago street. He attiliates with the Kepubliean 
party. 

'jt^AVH) 1". HAMILTON. While traveling 
I JjI through St. .loseph Count}' the biograph- 
(sj^^ ''"'*' writers of this Ai.bu.m met but few 
active business men who were born natives 
of the county. A large majoritj-of those who to- 
da}' are tilling the soil and raising stock or engaged 
in business or corameicial enterprises, or members 
of the professions, were born without the borders 
of the countj'. Among this number is the subject 
of our sketch, who is now one of the leading and 
enterprising men of White Pigeon, where he owns 
and operates one of the finest floiiring-mills in the 
State. He was born in Cumberland Coimty, Pa., 
Jan. 10, 1828. His parents migrated to Ohio in 
1835, our subject accompanying them. They set- 
tled in Fairfield County, in that State, where David 
was reared and received his education. While a 
resident of this count^'he learned the carpenter and 
joiner trade, which he followed for eleven years. 
In 1847 he went to Vicksburg, Miss., where he 
worked a short time. He also visited Louisiana, 
in which State he passed one year. 

At the expiration of that time our subject re- 
turned to Fairfield Count}' for a short visit. He 
then went to Columl)us, Ohio, where he remained 
six months. In December, 1848, he went to St. 
Mary's, Ohio, where he followed his trade until 
1855, in which year he engaged in milling. He 
pursued this business until 1860, when he moved to 
South Bend, Ind., where he bought an interest in 
the Harper tlouring-mill, which ho held until 18G2, 
in which year he came to White Pigeon, Mich.. 
an<l in company with John H. Keedy he built the 
niill he now owns. He retained his interest in the 

4* 



.South Bend Mill until 1865, when he disposed of it 
and concentrated his interests m their present shape. 
There had been a mill on the site now occupied by 
his property, which had been burned. 

Our subject purchased his |>artner Keedy's inter- 
est in this mill in 1865. which he still owns and 
operates. The system employed in the mill is the 
full roller process, which was put in operation in 
1883. Water supplies the motive power, which is 
brought to the mill through a race three-fourths of 
a mile in length. At all seasons of the year he has 
six feet head, the power of which is transmitted to 
the mill by means of a modern turbine wheel. 
The mill is capable of producing 150 barrels of 
flour every lwent3'-four hours. The product of the 
mill is of the very best qualit}'.. and commands the 
highest price in the markets where it is sold. 

Mr. Hamilton was married, May 19, 1853, to 
Catherine Beclidoldt. .She was born in Auglaize 
County, Ohio, and died July 2, 1866. She was the 
mother of four children: Robert J., Mary and 
Alice are living; and Frank died at the age of eight 
}^ears. Our subject married Miss Mar}' E. Salver 
Oct. 20. 1870. She died Dec. 24, 1884. She w:is 
the daughter of George Z. Salyer, who is now de- 
ceased. 

In the spring of 1857 our subject went to Law- 
rence, Kan., leaving his family in .St. JLary's, Ohio. 
He remaineil there until August of the same year, 
when he returned to Ohio, and in the spring of 
1858 he went b.ack to Lawrence and from there to 
Denver, Col., in August of the same year in the 
winter of which the city of Denver was located. 
In October following he returned to St. Mary's, 
where he remained until he secured his business in- 
terests in South Bend, Ind. His daughter Mary is 
married to Elliot O. Grosvenor, and now resides in 
Monroe, Mich., and is the mother of one child — Ira 
Rufus. 

Our subject is the son of .Samuel Hamilton, 
who was a native of Cumberland County, Pa.; he 
is now deceased. His paternal grandfather, George, 
was born in Scotland and served as a soldier in the 
Hevolutionary War. Mr. Hamilton's mother was 
Mary (Weaver) Hamilton. She was also a native 
of Cumberland County. The parents reared a 
family of eight children, six of whom are living. 




•^^ 



■•► 



ST. .lOSKl'lI COUNTY. 



41.". 



namely: Davkl, our siiliject; Margaret. Eliza, Voc- 
loriiie, Rolicrt J. and Aiiiiiistiis. The sci-tmd smi. 
.Itiliii, was diowiieil in llie i-anal in Lickiii-^ County, 
Ohio, in l^t.'iT, at liii' age of twenty-tive years: 
wiiile filling the lock he foil into the water aixl was 
drowned hefore he could he rescued, and the son 
George W. was drowned atTecumseli, Mich., in the 
Raisin River, in June. 1871. He was fifty •ft)ur 
years old. lie lost his life while taking some tim- 
hers out of the whirlpool at their mill dam. 

Mr. Hamilton lakes a first pl.ace among the many 
prominent citizens of the locality where he lives, 
and during his long and eventful business career 
he has ever strictly observed that most important 
factor in the successful public or business life of 
any man — honesty. lie combines strictness of 
moral i)rinciples with energy and decision of char- 
acter. Ue is a careful, conscientious business man, 
ever adhering to the dictates of his conscience, in 
matters l)oth of public and private nature: he has 
made profitable investments, become interested in 
remunerative enterprises, and has won honorable 
success in business, and secured a competence as the 
product of [lersonal industry and good judgment, 
put forth in a field wisely selected. In politics he 
is devoted to the Republican I)art3\ 



-«=4H='' 



r^K Rl C. WHEKLER. Among the many pros- 

^ perous and successful I 

L^ I'igeon, who have, through their own efforts 



perous and successful business men of White 



and the exercise of economy and energy, .accumu- 
lated a competenc}'. is the gentleman whose name 
heads this sketch, lie is now engagetl in business 
as a general merchant, in the conduct of which he 
exercises a rare degree of business slirewdncss and 
a complete knowledge of all its details. He was 
born in New Ham|>shire. March 8, 1841, and is the 
son of (Jeorge Wheeler, a native of <;t)ffstown, N. 
II., where his birth also occurred in 18(i;i. His 
fathei is now deceased. 

Our subject attended the common schools of the 
community where he live<l,aiid laid the foundation 
for the rich store of knowledge he now possesses. 
Although never .itteuding any college, he has, by 



his experience and observation, added to his ever 
increjising stock of information, until he is now one 
of the best informed men in the town where hi' 
lives. At the age of twenty-three he entered iiitu 
the business of railroading, which he followed con- 
tinuously for eighteen years. The last fifteen years 
of his service was as a locomotive engineer on the 
L. S. it M. S. R. R., whose service he entered Sept. 
1. 18G", and which he left Aug. 31. 1882. Two 
years prior to his leaving the road he opened a 
store in White Pigeon, devoted to the millinery and 
fancy goods trade, which was looked after and 
successfully managed by his wife. In 1882 he left 
the railroad service :iii<l opened a dry -goods and 
grocery store making the milliner}' store a depart- 
ment in the new venture, of which his wife still has 
charge. They have a capital of about ^12.000 in- 
vested, and their annual sales will amount to x2.').- 
000 or over. They employ one clerk steadily, and 
a portion of the tiine the services of two are 
necessary. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler were married .June C, 1867. 
Her maiden name was .liilia M. Smilh; she is a 
daughter of Henry Smith. Her father was a sohiier 
in the Union Army during the Rebellion. He is 
now dead. The couple have no children, but have 
adopted a boy, Charles, who is now twelve years 
old, a remarkably bright, intelligent lad. 

Whatever Mr. Wheeler does he does with all the 
energy of which he is capable, thinking that what- 
ever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. The 
economical disposition he possesses is shown bv the 
f.act that when he began railroading he had com- 
paratively nothing, and now, by his efforts an<l the 
valuable assistance of his wife, they carry a fine 
stock of goods and do a business, the sales from 
which amount high up into the thousands of dollars 
annually. While employed on the railroail he was 
one of the leading men in his profession, and stood 
high in the estimation of the otiicials of the road, 
lie endeavored, by leading a life of sobriety ami 
devoting his attention closelj- to his business, to 
merit a continuance of this feeling towani him, and 
succeeded in doing so to his fullest expectjition. 

From the nature of his calling in years past Mr. 
Wheeler acquired habits of regularity and close 
attention to his work, which he has brought wiib 



h 



-h 



_t 



llf> 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, 



him into his new business, and it' is these that con- 
tribute so largely to his present successful career. 
The part that his good wife has taken in the past 
•should not Ijf overlooked, but full credit be given 
licr for licr devotion and tact shown by conducting 
the tirsl IjusImcss started in the able manner in which 
she did. They arc i)oth generous, public spirited, 
and t.ike a prominent place in the social life of 
White Pigeon. 

(P^OLOMON DILTZ FLOWERS, manufact- 
urer and dealer in boots and shoes, carries 
on quite an extensive business in that line 
in .Siurgis, and is numbered among the 
wide-awake aud prosperous citizens of this town. 
His wife assists him in the business, and has charge 
of a hair de|)artment in connection with the neatly 
arranged, commodious store. 

Mr. Flowers was born Oct. 12, 1847, in Cliam- 
paign County, Ohio, his birthplace being eleven 
miles west of Urbana, the count}' seat. His par- 
cuts, William T. and Sarah (Martindale) Flowers, 
were natives respectivel}- of Ohio and Greencastle. 
Ind., his father having been born near the citj- of 
Dayton. He is now deceased, but the mother of 
our subject is still living, and makes her home in 
this town. They were the parents of five children, 
three of whom are living: George, William and our 
subject, and all reside in Siurgis. 

Solomon Flowers was brought up and educated 
ill his native county, in the town of St. Paris, to 
which his parents removed when he was a small 
child. His father was a shoemaker, and he learned 
the trade of him when a boy, and has always fol- 
lowed it. He came to .Sturgis in 18G8, and has 
since lived here. He began life for himself in 1H72, 
establishing himself in his present business. He 
curries a full line of boots, shoes, gaiters, slippers, 
etc., having a stock of 4;1,500. and an annual busi- 
ness of ?!2,000 or inorc. Besides making shoes 
himself he keeps three hands at work, as he has a 
demand for all tliat he can manufacture. He also 
makes for the trade all kinds of boot, shoe and 
gaiter uppers. 

."\Ir. Flowers w.as united in marriage to .Mar\' K. 



Wait, May 31, 1874. .She is a daughter of Hiram 
B. Wait, a resident of Point View, Pawnee Co., 
Kan. She was born near Saratoga, in Balston .Spa. 
Js. Y. As before stated, Mrs. Flowers .assists her 
husband in his business: she is a woman of more 
than average capacity, and her husband is much in- 
debted to her for her valuable aid in bringing 
about his prosjicrity. The}- are esteemed members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are active 
workers in every good cause that interests this com- 
munit}', among which is the Y. M. C. A-., of which 
he is an active member. 

Mr. Flowers is emphatically' a self-made man, as 
he began life with no other capital than industrious 
habits, good business principles, a thorough knowl- 
edge of his trade, and a steadj' determination to 
succeed. It is therefore more to his credit that, 
notwithstanding the reverses he has met he is 
now in comfortable circumstances, although he has 
not yet reached the meridian of life. He has a 
profitable business, and his credit is good in finan- 
cial circles. 




ERRITT WEMPLE. The history of any 
locality or place is nothing but the liiog- 
raphies of the lives of the people making 
it their home. The history of White Pig- 
eon would not be complete should we overlook the 
life of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, 
who claims the town as his home, and where he is 
engaged in luisiness, operating a general |)rovision 
and meat market. This he conducts in a very quiet, 
unostentatious iiianiier, which is peculiar to llie in- 
dividual. 

This gentleman wa,- born in Mciidon, Monroe 
Co., N. v.. near Rochester, Feb. 28, I8.$3. He 
lived in his native (liace. attending school and 
working at various avocations until 18.54, in which 
j'ear he came to Michigan, and settled in Van Bureii 
County, on a farm twelve miles west of Kalamazoo. 
lie prospered in this undertaking, ami in llie year 
1868 he disposed of his interests, and established his 
]iivsent business, where he has since lived, except- 
ing one year (1873) which he spent in Chicago. 
Mr. Wemplc is the son of Garrett I!. Wciiiiilc. 



•►Hh-^ 



4 



>► ■ ^i 



^i^|--4» 



ST. .TOSKriI COUNTY. 



417 



who w!is a ii.Hlivc of Dutchess Coimtj", N. Y. He 
WHS H s.iilor .111(1 mate on the Great Lakes, and the 
.St. Lawrenec Kivcr. Tiie giiiiidfalher was a native 
of Holland. The mother of oursulijeet was Dorcas 
Irwin; she was born in the town of Mendon, N. Y. 
The subject of this sketch was married, April 2!), 
1865, to Sarali .J. Harrison. This lady was born in 
.Sacketi's Harbor. JelTerson Co., N. Y.; she was the 
daughter of Alanson Harrison, who is now deceased. 
He was a native of Jefferson County, N. Y.,wiierche 
followed the trade of a stone-cutter. The years of her 
girlhood were spent on a farm. Her mother w.as 
Nellie Luno; she was born in Jefferson County, N. 
Y., of German ancestry-. This lady is a devout 
member of the rresbyterian Church : she blends her 
('hristian belief intimately with her everyday life, 
and is a model woman and wife. 

The subject of this sketch is a very quiet, unas- 
suming man, seeking to avoid notoriety or public at- 
tention. He is singularly modest and retiring in 
his disposition, although genial in address and gen- 
erous to a fault, and his friends are as numerous as 
his acquaintances. He is very enterprising, and 
takes a leading jiart in all matters calculated to ad- 
vance the best interests of the conimunit}'. In 
politics he acts with the Republican party. 

—MM* 




KNKV I.. AN riloNY. the popular druggist 
of Stuigis. is one of its leading citizens, and 
is identilied with many of its variinl inter- 
ests. He ha.-> a line military record, and al- 
lliougli a youth when he ('iili>t('d. attaining his 
majority about the close of the war. his loyalty 
.and devotion to the stars and >tripes. his courage, 
etliciency. anil other soldierly ipialitics in thcf.aceof 
danger on many a liard-fought balllc-ticld. won him 
the comiuendation> of his superiors, and raised him 
from the ranks through the v.arious grades of non- 
commissioned otiiees to the po>itioii of .'second 
Lieutenant. 

Our >ubject derives his docent finm an old New 
Ijigland family, who were pioneers of liliode Isl- 
and, coming to that .State from Kngland very 
early in Colonial days. Mr. .\iithony is himself a 
native-lMirn citizen of tliis State, his birth havintr 



taken place in Calhoun County. Nov.!). 1K4I. The 
.s'une pioneer spirit that actuated the original ances- 
tor of our subject to cross the ocean in those f:ii-otT 
days must have descended from father to .son for 
s(»me generations. a.-< some progenitor of our sub- 
ject must have settled in New York Slate in an 
early day. David .\nthony, father of our >ubject. 
having been born there, and he. in his turn, liecame 
the pioneer of the still newer Slate of Mii-hig:in. 
He hail been married in his native State to Cynthia 
^laynard. likewise of New York birth, and to them 
were born live children, three of whom are living, 
namely: Kmma and Oscar, on the home place in 
Kalania/.oo Co\inty. and our subject. 'I'lie father 
has attaiiu'il the advanced :urc of seventy-nine year>. 

While the war was r.oging our subject enlisted, 
spite of his youth, becoming a member of Conip:in\' 
-V. 7th Michigan Cavalry. an<l served faithfully 
tlie interests of his country on Southern battle-fields 
three years and three montlis. and took an activi- 
part in ue.arly all the battles fought by the.\rmy(»f 
tin- I'otoniae in that time, except during the sum- 
mer of 1H()4. wlien be w.a.s on detached service, hav- 
ing been partly disidileil 1)V a wound. He was 
woundeil twice, once in the hip, which disabled him 
for six luonlhs. He enlisted as a private, and 
passed through all the non-commissioned olliees. 
and Sept. 17. IHI!;?. was coniini.ssioned Seconil Lieu- 
tiMiant. His regiment conip<ised a part of the 
famous cavalry brigade cominan<led by the late 
CJen. George A. Custer. 

In the fall of ISfiG Mr. .\nthony came toSturgis. 
where he Ims >ince lived. His first euiplo\ nient 
here wjis that of teailiing peiini.-uisbip .and book- 
keeping in the .stiirgis Itusini'ss ( ollege. .after which 
for nearly four years he w:is a clerk and book-k<>epei' 
in the dry -g<H)ds store of Herbert l'iii». In No\eni- 
ber, 1K7;1. he established his present busine»>. and 
; luL-i since followeil it. He carries a full line of 
drugs, medicines. p;iints. oils, druggist>' suiidrie>. 
fancy gixxls. etc.. carrying a >l4K'k of ^.">.tlll((. and 
having an annu.al >ale of )ji!ll,(l(lll. His e.-t.ablish- 
meiit is tinely .and t.-istefnily fitted up. and a." lie 
sells none but the best and purest drugs, medi- 
cines, etc.. he hits a large patron.age. 

The marriage of .Mr. .\nthony and Miss Louisa 
I'innev was solemnized Oct. II. 1H7(>. Thev h.ive 



.>-ll^^^ 



,t 



418 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



one tliild. Etliel. lioni Feb. 6. 1886. :Mrs. Anthony 
was liorii Fi'l>. 1. I8.')2. :it DeKalb.St. L.iwrence Co.. 
N. Y. She loo is of New Knglanrt p.arentage. her 
aiieestors lieing of Seotch cle.-<ceiil. an<l c<»niiug to 
tlii.- couiitrv very early in its liistnry. Her father, 
S. \i. Pinney. ilied at .\nies. Kan.. Aim. 17. 187i>. 
at liie age of .seventy-one years. 

Our subject lias tiiken an active interest in the 
administration of local affairs, his cool judgment, 
clear intellect, suiierior education and iir.ictical 
sagacity, eminently tilting liim for civic life. Ik- 
was a member fif the Town Council for four years. 
an<l 'rownsliip Clerk for the same length of time, 
lie is a valued member of the (i. A. II. . and is 
lironiiiicnily identified with the M.asonic fraternit}'. 
liolding the ortice of Crand .lunior Warden of the 
(irand Commandery of the State of Michigan, and 
he h.a.s lilled all the chairs of the subordinate lodges 
except that of the Worshipful ^Master of the Blue 
Lodge. Mr. Anthony is President of the electric 
light plant of Sturgis. He h.T-s always been identi- 
fied with the business interests of his adopted town, 
l)eing a recognized leader in every measure looking 
to its material growth and iH-osperity. giving gen- 
erously of his means f<»r the upbuilding of every 
enterprise for the benefit of the village, and thereby 
adding to its alre.ady increasing prosperity. 



•i- 



-#^ 



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4 



ANIKI, r.i;U(ii;i{. muhrtakcr. of Miiigis. 
is a well-known iuid highly honored citi- 
zen of St. .loseph County, of which he h.as 
been a resident for a quarter of a century, 
lie conies of good old Pennsylvania stock, and is 
liiniself a native of the Keystone State, burn in 
I.u/.enic County. Peb. 1. 18:io. His father. Charles 
Uei-ger. at present a resident of Tama Country. Iowa. 
was likewise a native of that county, having been 
born there in .lune. 1801. He married Catherine 
K'csU'i-. will) was burn in l-\izerne County. Pa. In 
Im;}?* lie lenioved with his family to Delaware 
('ount\-, Ohio, and for a few years cist in his lot 
with the early pioneers of that jiart of the IJuckeye 
State. In 1 8.") 1 he again took uj) the westward inarch, 
and crossing the border into Indiana, settled in 
sicuben County on a farm, and was actively and 



prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits there. 
He of whom we write was scarcely three years of 
age when his jiarents moved from his birthplace to 
the wilds of Ohio, and eleven years had passed 
over his head when they took up their residence in 
Indiana. He there grew to a strong and vigiu'ous 
nianliooil on his father's farm, and received a good 
pr.ictical training in agricultural labors when not 
attending the public schools, where he obtainetl his 
education. After the breaking out of the Lite war 
he joined a regiment. Coinp.any A, 2!ttli Indiana 
Infantry, .and for thirteen months w.os p.itriotically 
engaged in fighting his country's battles. At the 
age of twenty-four he h.ad acquired the carpenter's 
trade, spending a year in Butler. Iiul. In the fall 
of 18(!4 he came to Sturgis. where he has since 
made his home. He esUiblished himself in the 
undertaking and furniture business in this tfiwn 
Oct. 10. 1880. and in the latter line did (piite an 
extensive and Hourishiiig business until he sold 
that branch U> Prank II. Church, in Septeml>er. 
1888. and now devotes his entire attention to the un- 
dertaking, he doing about all the business in that line 
in Sturgis iiiul vicinity. He owns and runs a fine 
hearse in connection with his establishment, and by 
the exercise of energv. ability and natural shrewd- 
ness, he h.is placed himself among the substantial 
citizens of the county. 

Our subject has been twice married. Dec. 28. 
1 8.')3. he was united to Ann (iunn. daughter of 
Morrison Ounn. of Steulicii County. Iiul. .and to 
them two children were born — Eva E. and Bertha 
\. .\fter a brief but plea,sant married life, the 
amiable wife of our subject's early \ears pas.sed 
away from the scenes of earth, in .lanuary. 18.")6. 
.Mr. r.erger's marriage to his present estimable wife 
occurred Feb. 1. IHtil. She was formerly Olive C. 
Eldridge. daughter of .Iolin(i. Eldridge. of .Sturgis. 
nnri she w.as born in 181o in Cleveland. Ohio. Mr. 
Berger not only h.as a fine residence but an attract- 
ive and cheerful home. renderc<l so by the pleasant 
courtesy of the host and hostess, and the truly 
hospitable welcome extended to whomsoever crosses 
its threshold, whether they be of high or low 
degree. 

Mr. Berger is a man of iiniin|H>acliable integrity, 
who has always led a strictly upright iiinral life. 



>► ■ M» 



-•^Hl-^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



■no 



He is » sound Christiiui and a valued member of 
tin- Mc'tliixlist Kiiisropal Clmrcli. Uv is a iiinii of 
much social iiiiportaucc in tliis coniinunity. ami i.- 
:i iiicniluT of Ihc C. A. 1{.. llic I. ().(». V.. and also 
of llu- Masonic fraternity. In politics lie is a stanch 
Ivcpulilican. lirnily hclicviuir that the )>olicy of that 
p.Mily is the licsl for the guidance of National 
affairs. 



5g*Jii^^ 




4 



1{. SAMIKI. 15. KOI. I. KIT. wlio is a i)rac- 
1) ticinir physician of the Old School antl a 
•xrailuMte of (ieiieva Collcire. N. V.. has for 
many years lalR)re<l auionir the people of 
Sturiris. where he has huilt up a lar<re and lucrative 
business, and is held in wann rei^ard liy the peo|ile 
of hi~ eoniniunity. A native of the Kmpire .State- 
he was horn in Ivoxlitirv. Delaware County. Nov. 
ti. IW27. and is the son of William and Syliil ( lil.-n-k- 
m.an ) l'"i>llett. who were natives of the i-anu' Slate 
.•IS Iheir son. The family is of Knitlish oriirin. and 
the father of our sul)ject a farmer I ly occupation. 
The parents spent their last years in New York 
State. 

'I'he subject of thi> .-ketch was reared a farmer's 
hoy. anil pursued his tirst studies in the distriet 
school. Later he attendeil I'>ethan\- .Vcadeinv. He 
enteral upon the study of medicine under the in- 
striietion of Dr. Street, of Koxhury. with whom he 
remained three years, .\fter this he became a stu- 
dent of (Jeneva Me<lical (olleire. from which he 
was graduated wilh lir>t honors alioiit IM.');i. lie 
entered ii|>on the practice of liis jirofession at 
IShxiinville. N. v.. where he labored successfully 
for .aliout three years, then, in \X'><). coming to 
.Michigan, located in the then unpretentious little 
village of Sturgis. He had been married. Oct. 13. 
IKiVJ. to Mi.-i!* Almeda ('.White. Ihis lady wa.s 
born in IJloomville. N. V.. March '2. IM.'t.'i. and con- 
tinned the loving and affectionale companion of 
our suhje<'t for a period of nearly t wentv -seven 
ye!ir>. She passed aw:iy ;it her home in .Sturgis. 
.\iig. 11. 1M«(I. She w.as a lady of line intelligence 
and tiHicli culture, well educated, having completed 
her studies at the academy at Delhi. N. Y. Of this 
union there had been lH>rn two children: Charles 
s.. .March I. IK.'d;. and who died at the age of six 



years. Jan. 20. 1863; and Kdwin W.. born .Sept. 
"i:?. 18fi3. who is still living, a regular graduated 
|>hMrinaeist. located now in Chesterton. Inil. Mrs. 
.\lmeda Kollett had for many \ears been a pi'onii- 
nent light in the .Methoilist Kpisco|)al Clmrcli. and 
was warmly clevoted to the service of the Ma>ler. 
Her pai'ents wei'c natives of New Y'ork State, and 
her father. Shadrach White, was a member of a 
prominent famil\- of that name there. 

Mr. Kollett. on the 10th of November. l.SMl. con- 
tracted a second matrimonial alliance, with Mrs. 
JIarv K. (Osborne) Williams, who was born in Stur- 
gis. Mich., .\pril I. IHfi. Her parents were Kd- 
ward and Sarah I. (KIlis) Osborne, natives of 
(ienesce Ctiiinty. N. Y.. the father being a farmer 
by occup.ation and a ilealer in (irodiice for man\ 
years, lie w.as born Keb. ;"). 1817. and his wife. 
Sarah I.. .Ian. \'.K 1M2I. They were married in St. 
.loseph County, this .State. March 22. lH;iS. Kd- 
ward 0>lporne departed this life Dec. 1 I. 1«7:). Hi- 
wife had precede(l him to the better land, her de;ith 
occurring March II. {HitX. They were the parents 
of ten chililren. three of whom died in infancy. 
They were named res|)ectively: Sophia C.. .Mary 
K.. Klecta M.. Charles W.. Charles K.. Caroline. 
Milton K.. Theodore S.. Klla I,, and Keiiben C. 
Mary I-",, w.as tirst married. Oct. I. IMiJii. to SiK-ncer 
Williams, and they became the parents of three 
children, of whom Kdward K. died in childhood: 
John .1. married Miss Nina Drake, and is living in 
Sturgis. .Mich.; Lois K. is unmarriiMl. and reimiin- 
with her mother. Spencer Williams w;i- born in 
Ohio, in March, |H:{|.and died at his home in Stur- 
gis, in IH7(;. .Mrs. Kollett received a careful home 
training and a goixl education in the common 
schools, completing her studies at Kalama/oo. She 
Wiu* a most excellent lady, and a conscieiitioii- 
meinber of the ISaptist Church. 

Dr. Kollett s<M>n after coining here w:is n-coir- 
ni/.ed its a valiieil aiMition to Ihc communitv. and 
in 1 H.")8 was elected a Justice of the reace. which 
olliee he held by successive re-election- for a [K-rioil 
of twelve yeai-s. He served .as Sii|>ervisor of Stur- 
gis Township four terms, and was a member of the 
committee of inve>li;:ation ap|Miint4'd to look into 
the act,- of the defaulting County Treasurer, there 
Iieing dis<'overed a defieieiiey of $2. (MM). Diirini.' 



^ 



<^ 



420 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



this time also he superintended the laying out of 
the new eemeterv, which is now one of the most 
he.Miitifiil hiirial places in tiie county. For two 
tcniis he has l>een President of tlie Villajje liuard. 
.■mil has exerted his influenc-c in the estalilisiuiifnl of 
llie electric liuht and other inipnjvements conncctc(l 
with his village. In tlie City Council lie has liccn 
foremost in the cnconrajjement of the estahlish- 
nienl and maintenance of schools, and every other 
cnterpri.se calculated for the advancement of the 
people, mor.ally and socially. Althou<jh no poli- 
tician, he takes a genuine inteii'st in matters con- 
nected with National .and State ( iovcrnment. and 
upholds zealously tiic piiuciplcs of Ihe Hepnlilican 
pai'ly. 

in 1M71 Dr. Kollctt was ap|)oinle<l .Mail .\gentof 
the C; rand Hapids i^- Indiana Railroad, a position 
which he has occupied for a jjcriod of lifteen years, 
and in which he hixs made a fine record for good 
judgment, skill and ability. .Socially, lie belongs 
to the Ma.sonic fraternity. Ills pleasant .-uid eoiii- 
fortable home is located on .Maple avenue, and is 
replete with all that makes life comfortable and 
desirable. 



■■ I ' ^ 'I' I - g " 



ellAHLES K. HOLMES, a retired farmer of 
Constantine Village, was one of St. Joseph 
County's pioneers in the early flays of its 
settlement, coming here in the summer Of 1834, and 
thus for fifty-live 3-ears It has been his privilege to 
watch and aid its development from the wilderness 
to its present advanced state of civilization and 
material prosperitv. He was at first identified with 
its industrial interests as a carpenter, and the chair 
and cabinet shop that lie opened later must have 
been among the first manufacturing establishments 
in the county. In 1841 or 1842 he connected him- 
self with the farming interests of the county, and 
for man}' years took an active ]>art in their advance- 
ment and sustenance. He still owns a large and 
valuable farm of 380 .acres on Pigeon Prairie, from 
the rental of which he derives a good income. 

Our subject w.as born in the town of Cambria. 
Ni.igara Co., N. Y., Aug. 1, 1821, being the third 
chilli in the family of ten children belonging to 



John and Betsey (Strouse) Holmes, who were also 
natives of New York, and his father was born in 
Niagara Count}'. After marri.ige they first settled 
in Lockport, but subsequently removed to Cambria. 
In 1824. with their little children, thej- left their 
native Stale, and making their way to Ohio, settled 
ill the wilds of what is now Lucas Count}- to found 
a new home, and there those worthy people passed 
the remainder of their lives. 

Charles R. Holmes was but two or three years of 
age when his parents left the comforts of their home 
in New York to battle with the hardships of life in 
a new and sparsely settled, forest covered region, 
and amid the pioneer scenes and surroundings of 
their dwelling-place in the years that followed he 
grew to be a stalwart, self-reliant, courageous youth, 
and starting out early in life to make his own way 
in]the world, the summer of 183C found him across 
the borders in this Slate. He came to White Pig- 
eon, and at first worked at carpentering, as before 
mentioned, and afterward established himself in 
business as a chair and cabinet maker. For five or 
six years he was very profitably engaged at that, 
and then became a farmer. In time he, by assidu- 
ous and well-directed labor, developed a fine farm 
on Pigeon Prairie. In the fall of 1872, though not 
yet past middle age, he had accumulated a sufficient 
store of wealth to warrant his taking life easier, and 
he retired to the pretty village of ConsUmtine, of 
which he has ever since been a valued resident. 

The marri.age of our subject to Miss Mary Coats 
took place on Pigeon I'rairie, Nov. 10. 1842. She 
was a daughter of John and Ellen (Romans) Coats, 
who were among the earliest pioneers of Pigeon 
Prairie, entering land there in 1829. They built 
up a comfortable home in which they spent the re- 
mainfler of their lives. They had eight children, of 
whom Mrs. Holmes was the fourth, her liirtli tak- 
ing place in "York.shire, England, Sejil. 17, 1810. 
She was an earnest and faithful member of the 
Methodist Episciipal Church, and the life that closed 
Dec. 17, 1880, numbering sixty-four years and three 
months, was well spent and full of all things that go 
to make a good woniau in the fullest sense, and her 
memory will be cherished by her relatives, friends 
and neighbors. Of her union with our subject six 
children were born: John C, who died July 30, 



>► ■ <• 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



-*^ 



421 ' \ 



1879; Elizabeth, the wife of Franklin Caseman, 
living on her father's farm in Florence Townsiiip; 
.Julia H.. who died when a year and a half old; 
Harriet 1... who died in infancy; Adella and Adel- 
berl, who died j'ounjj. .John C. had Iieen married, 
Miss .Julia Latter becoming his wife 'Slay '27, 1872, 
and of their marriage two children were born, Lillie 
I., and Charles W., the boy dying when nine years 
of age. His widow an<l tlicir child make their home 
with his father. 

Mr. Holmes is an unassuming, practical man, who 
is no less respected as a citizen than as a |)ioneer. 
and he has alw.ays displayed, both in public and in 
private life, those traits of character that mark a 
true and honest gentleman, and his fellow-citizens 
have shown their confidence in his sterling worth 
and capacity by electing him at difTerent times to 
various civic otiices. In him the Democratic party 
(inils one of its stanchest supporters. 



-€^-»- 




HUAHAM li. GEORGE. In the subject of 
this biography, the proprietor of an ex- 
^ tensive founihy. large machine-shops and 
manufactory of agricultural implements, 
wf recognize a l)enefactor to the community. .Mr. 
George was born at rnionville, Berks Co., Pa., 
.July 29, 1825, is the son of William and Cath- 
erine ( Hrower) George, and is the eldest of five 
rbildri'n. His brothers and sisters were named: 
Mary, .John H., Lavinia and Abiram 1\. Mary is 
a resident at Conslantine. Mich., with her husband, 
Thomas Welbourn : and I.avinia is now .Mrs. .Jacob 
Uerger. 

The father of our subject was born at Phila- 
delphia. Oct. 19, 1797, and was the second child in 
his famil}'. Grandfather George emigrated from 
Scotland in early manhood, marric<l, and settled 
near Philadelphia, Pa., where he amassed consider- 
able wealth, and enjoyed a high position socially. 
The portion of Philadelphia known as George's 
Hill is in the vicinity of his residence, and was 
named after him. Although it was in his power to 
rear his son in cunipanitively easy circumstances, 
he early impressed upon him the necessity of work; 
accordingly, after s|)ending his early years at home 



under the immediate care and instruction of his par- 
ents, he removed to Berks County, Pa., where he 
learned the trade of whitusmith (now called lock- 
smith). He continued working at this traile for 
some time, afterward clerking in a dry-goods store, 
where he remained until after his marriage. Shortlj- 
after this important event he entered into business 
ft)r himself in the same line, continuing until aliout 
18.'!(), when he removed to Tamaqua, Schuylkill 
County, engaging in the same business. At the 
same time he was in the employ of the Little Schuyl- 
kill Coal Compau}-, as Superintendent, in which 
oflice he remained about live j'cars, having the su- 
pervision of over 500 men. In 183.'> he moved 
with his family to St. .loseph Count}', Mich., the 
journej' being performed with wagon and team. 
Their route laj- through Pittsburgh, Pa.. Canton, 
Ohio, and across the Black Swamp, and on via 
Cleveland, which at that time was but a small ham- 
let. The journej' occupied thirty daj's. The}- .-ir- 
rived in the month of .June, and settled on IGO 
acres of Government land, about a mile and three- 
quarters west of the village of Constantine. Until 
Mr. George could ])repare a home for his family 
they took u|) their residence in a small house that 
had been built by a cousin, A. K. Brower, who had 
previously come to .St. .Joseph County. With his 
usual energy. .Mr. George proin|itly began to im- 
prove his land, and raised the first season a small 
crop of buckwheat, upon which to live through tlie 
following winter. Ho continued upon this farm fi)r 
several years, when he i)ut his youngest sou in 
charge of it, and made his home in Constantine. 
The farm at this time w.as in a very high stale of 
cultivation, and was provided with substantially 
built and convenient farm buihiings. In .addition 
to the farm he possessed forty acres of beautiful 
timber land, also his home in the village, where he 
resided until the death of his wife in September, 
1887, when he ren)oved, to live with his daughter. 
Mrs. Welbourn, which he has sincecontinued to do. 
He has reached the advanced age of ninety-one 
years. In his earlier years he was associated with 
the Democratic, l)ut later alliliated with the Hepub- 
lican i)arly. He h.as always entertained and ad- 
vanced high sentiments of the responsibilitii^ and 
privileges of citizenship, and at all times evinced 



i 



f 422 



,t 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



his scrupulous desires for that condition of Gov- 
ernment and tliose measures which would insure 
the {rrratest good to the Repultlic. By no means 
an oflicc-seeker. he has, however, been called at 
diff(M-ent limes to fill divers oftices, and has always 
ilone so in a careful and honoralile manner. 

Religiously, hoth Mr. George and wife were mem- 
bers of the (Jerman Reformed Church. His wife, 
who for so many years with nf>bl3', womanly sfjirit 
stood by his side, cheering and helping in all the difli- 
culties of business and pioneer life, was the daugh- 
ter of Abraham and Anna Brower. .She was born 
in Pennsylvania, and spent her earl^- womanhood 
at home, only leaving it when she was married, to 
lake the management of lier own household. .She 
was a ladj- whose temperament and essentially' ma- 
ternal and womanly qualities commended themselves 
to all who knew her in familv, church and social re- 
lations, cither as mother, wife or friend. She was 
respected, admired and beloved, and has left upon 
many hearts and lives the imprint of her noble 
s|)irit. 

With such parental influences, we should lie dis- 
appointed if no fruit were shown in the historj- of 
our subject. Reared under these happy influences, 
in spite of tjie limited educational opportunities of 
pioneer life, ho grew strong, manly and vigorous in 
both body in mind, and received the impulses and 
impetus which have never left him, and which we 
must consider the secret of the prosperity, jieai'e, 
anil harinon}- of his life. About 184;3 he lefc the 
farm ami went to Constantine, and commenced 
learning the trade of molder in the fonndr}' and 
machine works of Messrs. .Stafford & Pitcher. He 
continued his position with this firm until the sub- 
sequent change in the same in the year 1851, when 
he was elected Township Treasurer. He subse- 
(juently became Sheriff and Constable. After this 
he mastered the intricacies of the photographic 
camera, and conducted a gallery for about four 
years witli considerable success. His mechanical 
genius, however, was not satisfied with pictures, con- 
sequently, about the j-ear 1858 we find him selling 
reapers and other implements of agriculture for 
Messrs. Stafford ik Mitchell, which firm was prac- 
tically the same as that wherein his first acquaintance 
with machines was made. In this business he re- 



mained until October, 18G1, when he bought his em- 
ployers out of the business and continued the works 
on his own account, adding largely to them in vari- 
ous departments as occasion required, until the 
present. 

Mr. George is now the owner of extensive prop- 
erty in addition to his foundry, machine and imple- 
ment shops, and is counted among the wealthy men 
of Constantine. He is a pronounced Republican, and 
in him the party h.as a very strong and alile sup- 
porter. In the Masonic fraternity he is deeply in- 
terested, and by his brethren highly esteemed. 
Besides his membership in .siloani Lodge No. 35, he 
is one of the honored companions of Constantine 
Chapter No. Ul, and a Sir Knight of the Three 
Rivers Commander^' No. 21), K. T. He has been 
re-elected several successive years to the office of 
Secretary of his lodge. 

In the year 18 48 Mr. George was married to Mary 
A. Boyd, daughter of Jacob Bonebright. When she 
was about one year old it was her great misfortune 
to lose her father by death. Her mother remar- 
ried, and came to St. Joseph County with her hus- 
band. For a time he squatted on Government 
land, but afterward took up a claim. His career 
was cut short by death in 1868. Her mother was a 
member of the Baptist Church, a good, benevolent 
woman and kind neighbor, a true friend to the 
sick and suffering. Her death occurred in Janu- 
ary, 18G4. 

Mrs. George developed similar qualities to those 
which marked the life of her mother. Her home 
has been cheered b}' the birth of two sons. The eld- 
er, Edward S., was educated at Lake Forest, III., 
and is now living at Englcwood, a suburb of the 
city of Chicago; and LinviUe II., who was educated 
in the Constantine schools, continuing with his 
parents ever since. 



[L^^EMAN IlARWOOl), whose peacefully de- 
clining years are being spent amidst the 
2^ pleasant surroundings of a comfortable 
f^ home in Constantine, came to Michigan 
Teiritory as earh' as 1832, accompanied by his 
lirother Ira, they making the trip in a sleigh from 
■» 



ST. .loSKlMI COUNTY. 



42.] 



Canniidnigiin, N. Y. lie has been since that time a 
continnous i-esi<lent of Constmitine Township. He 
hail l)ecn rearfil from hoyiiood to the pursuits of 
farm lifi', ami foilowtHl Ihi'se uontenlt'diy from his 
VDiilh lip, with the exception of ten years in which 
lie was e'n{.'am'(t in llie himher liiisiiiess. This iattt'i 
enterprise was eumhiutcd l>y iiimself and iiis two 
sons, Oliver and Merrill, under llu' linn name of 
Ilarwood it Co. 

Tiie subject of this sketch was born at Meredith, 
Delaware Co.. N. Y., June 21. 1810, and is the 
son of Ileman, Sr.. and Ksther (Millington) liar- 
wood, further mention ^'f whom is made in the 
sketch uf Hiram H. Harwood, on another page in 
this Volume. The llarwoods were an old and 
highly respected family, who after their settlement 
in America were residents Orst of Vermont, whence 
the later descendants migrated to the Empire State. 
Heman, Jr., upon reaciiing manhood was married in 
Ontario County, N. Y., in September, 1835, to Miss 
Rebecca Fisher, who was born there. The young 
people commenced the journey of life together at 
their new home in the West which Mr. Harwood had 
prepared previously fur his bride. They became 
the parents of four children, three of whom lived 
to mature years, namely: Oliver, Merrill and Fran- 
cis M. .Mrs. Harwood departed this life at the 
homestead in Constaiitine, Sept. 12, 1887. 

Mr. Harwood during the progress of the Black 
Hawk War was drafted into the army, but his serv- 
ices were only reipiired one month. Later he 
was a Captain of the JHchigan Militia. IJoth he 
and his estimable wife identified themselves with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church at an early day, 
and he has been a warm supporter of the principles 
of the Republican party since its organization. In 
the >pring of 181>U, after years of arduous toil, <lur- 
ing which he had been successful in buililing up a 
good homestead, he retired from active labor and 
took up his abode at a snug home in the village of 
Constaiitine. His has been a rich and varied ex- 
perience, and in common with the pioneers about 
him he endured hardship and privation while the 
country was becoming settled up witli a class of in- 
dustrious and intelligent jjcople. He was one of 
the men most needed at that period — strong of 
muscle and brave of heiirt — one who suffered no 



ordinary circumstance to discourage him. In his 
declining years he is surrounded by hosts of friends, 
and, sitting under his own vine and fig tree, is en- 
joying the fruits o( his laljors, often casting back a 
ghincc at the ohi days, and is enabled to relati' 
many an interesting incident which is listened U> 
with intense interest both by young and oltl. Tlie 
name of Heman Harwood will stand prominent in 
the annals of St. Joseph County long after he has 
passed awa}'. and will be held in kindly remem- 
brance by all who knew him. 

S^ ' 




■^^ -^-*-^ 



LBKRT U. DINNING, attorney -at-law, 
Sliirgis, is one of the most able and success- 
ful membei*s of the bar in St. Joseph 
County-. He has a very large practice in 
the Circuit anil Slate Courts throughout Michigan 
and Xoitiiern Indiana, and also in the United Slates 
Supreme Court. 

Mr. Dunning is a native of .McEnroe Couiitv, N. V., 
liorii -March 5, 1844. His father. George Dunning, 
who came to this county in the spring of 18C0, is 
now a prominent farmer of this township, and a 
sketch of his life will be found on another page of 
this Volume. Our subject received the prelimi- 
naries of his education in his native Stale, and after 
coming to this State he pursued an excellent course 
of study at the H.iptist College in Kalaina/oo. where 
he attained a high rank for scholarship. He then 
decided to enter the legal profession, and read law 
under J. W. Flauflers, of Slurgis, and was admitted 
to the bar in the S|)ring of 1870. He commenced 
to practice in this county with Mr. F'landers. re- 
maining with him until 187.'?, when he entered into 
parlnership with D. K. Thomas, under the firm name 
of Dunning A* Thomas. They dissolved partner- 
ship in 1874. nnd Mr. Thomas is now in Toledo, 
Ohio. Mr. Dunning continued in practice here, 
and besides acfjiiiring an extensive clientage, has 
won an enviable reputation for learning and forhi^ 
eloquent exposition of the law. 

Mr. Dunning was united in marriage to .Mi>« 
.Myra R. Bird, Nov. 11, 1808. She was born in 
Unadilla, Livingston Co., Mich., and is a daughter 
of David D. and Agnes Bird, of Livingston County, 



•^f^ 



■•► 



424 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



f set 



Mich. Mrs/Duniiirig is a lafly wlifise lovely cliarncter 
and manj' pleasant social qualities eiuUar her to a 
large circle of friends. She is a a sincere Christian, 
and a valued memlier of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. The household circle of our subject and 
his wife is completed by the presence of their two 
charming daughters, Gertrude and Ruth M., who 
are aged fifteen and twelve. years respectively. 

Our subject is a fine example of the self-made 
men of the country, and this brief review of his 
life shows him to possess more than ordinary talent, 
and though .still a young man, has already, by sheer 
force of character and an indomitable will, won an 
enviable distinction in his profession, and is ac- 
corded a high place at the bar. He is an ornament 
to this citizenship, combining, as he does, solid at- 
tainments, and a clear and vigorous mind with 
sterling sense and unaffected kindliness. 






IRAM II. IIARWOOU. a retired farmer of 
Constantino, has by the exercise of keen 
foresight and excellent business tact, ac- 
^ cumulated a comfortable property, and with 
his good wife is enjoying it in one of the pleasant- 
est homes in the township. In the life records of 
the pioneers of a country we have.-, valuable source 
of its history; therefore, it gives us much pleasure 
to present to the readers of this Bio(;hai'hic.\l Al- 
BCM of St. Joseph County' a brief .iccount of one 
who, although one of the earliest pioneers of the 
county, is still living, and an honored citizen, 
()reserving much of the old-time vigor that made 
his aid so valuable in developing the agricultural 
resources of this region. 

Our subject comes of a sturdy New England an- 
cestry, but is himself a native of New York 
State, his birth occurring in New Lebanon. Colum- 
bia County. Sept. 2.5, 1812. His parents, Heman 
and Esther (Millington) Ilarwood, were born in 
the historical old town of Bennington, Vt.. and there 
the days of their childhood were passed, and there 
Ihej' united their fortunes for better or for worse. 
They afterward became pioneers in New York .State, 
settling first in Meredith, then in New Lebanon, 




and from there to Ontario Countj'. After spend- 
ing several years in New York State they again 
launched out into pioneer life, and made their 
way. in June, 1832. to .St. Joseph County. Mich., 
whither two of their sons had preceded thtni. to 
prepare a shelter .against the time of their arrival 
on land which had been selected the previous year, 
in Kabius Township. The following year, in 1H33, 
the father bought a tract of land in Constantine 
Township, and in the years that followed built up a 
comfortable home on Bro.-Kl street. In thatdwelling 
the life of the faithful wife and devoted mother 
closed to mortal scenes. June 12. 1835. at the age 
of forty-nine j'ears. The father spent his declin- 
ing years in Constantine Village, d.ving March o, 
18G9, aged eighty-three years. He was three times 
married, his second wife being Mrs. Polly Eddj'. 
and the third Mrs. Amanda Rich; all are now de- 
deased. 

Hiram, the third of the ten children born to his 
parents, was reared to the life of a farmer, and was 
aclivel3- engaged in that honoralile calling until 
his retirement. In January, 1831, then being a 
youth of nineteen years, he started with his brother 
Heman in a sleigh from Canandaigua County, N. 
Y.. to drive to Michigan, for the purpose of locat- 
ing on his father's land, and prepare for the arrival 
of the remaining members of the family. 

The boys began that memorable journey on the 
3d day of January, and on the 25th day of the same 
month arrived at their destination, the then village 
of Lockport, now known as part of Three Rivers, 
on the St. Joseph River. They immediitely erected 
a log cabin about a mile from there, in the town- 
ship of Fabius. and commenced to clear land enough 
for a garden. The following year our subject re- 
moved with his father to his farm in Constantine, 
and remained with him until he became of age, 
when he settled on land purchased by his father in 
Fabius Township. He built a house, improved the 
land, married, and lived there some four or five 
years, when he lost his wife, and after that s.id 
event returned to his father's home. He lived under 
the parental roof some two years, when he again 
married, and returned to his farm in P'abius Town- 
ship. After living there two years he bought a 
tract of land in Constantine Township of his uncle 



^h-^ 



"^^ 



■•► 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



42.'. 



Millinglon, and removed to that place. He in- 
dustriouslj* set about clearing his land. an<l, by 
jiidii'loiis manau;i'nient and downright liar<l labor, 
siK-ct'eded In iin|)roving a valuable and highly pro- 
ductive farm. He owns at the present time quite 
a large tract of land in Constanlinc Township, and 
owns and occupies the fine old mansion which was 
owned and built by the late Gov. Barr}', [jjeasantl^- 
locateil on North Washington street. 

Air. Harwood has been twice marrieil. He was 
first wedded, in Fabius Township, to Klvira Rice, 
a native of I'ittsford, N. Y. She ilied in Conslan- 
tine Township after a brief but ha[)py married life. 
Mr. Harwood's marriage to his present estimable 
wife took ])lace in White Pigeon, .Ian. 1, 1839. 
Her maiden name was Arvillo Denio, and she was 
born in Bennington, Vt.. Sept. 28, 1813. Her par- 
ents were Arial and Lovina (Harwood) Denio. 
The}' spent their last years in Rutland County, Vt. 
Mr. and Mrs. Harwood have jinssed th'i gohlen 
milestone that marks a happy wedlock of half a 
century. For fifty long jears they have been spared 
to bless each other and the many friends whom they 
have galhercd around them, to whom they have 
endeared themselves by the thousand and one acts 
of kindness and helpfulness so characteristic of their 
warm, genial, loving natures. During these many 
years that they have been together their life has 
not been all joyous; sorrow has often supped with 
Ihem, and in the death of three of their beloved 
children they have been reminded of the mutability 
of life, and of the hope that lies at the heart of man 
of a home beyond the grave, and their faith in the 
immortality of the soul h.as been strengthened. Their 
son Mylon died in infancy; their son Daniel W., a 
young man of much promise, who was engaged in 
the mercantile business, died when hut twenty- 
six years of age; Heman C a bright young lad, 
died when about fourteen years of age. Our sub- 
ject and his wife still have four children left to 
soothe their declining years: Albert E.. who resides 
in C'onstantine Township; Cerintha, who is the wife 
of T. H. RItter, of Constantiuc; Mary J., wIkj lives 
with her parents; ami .lennie A., who is the wife of 
Samuel llarvey. 

Our subject has an excellent record as a public 
oHlcial in his township, he being a man of sound 
<■ 



principles, good business habits and clear judgment. 
He has held the office of Justice of the Peace two 
terms, that of Township Assessor for several 3'ears, 
and has also been the incumbent of all the school 
offices. In politics he uses his influence in favor 
of the Republican part}'. He and his wife are 
members of the Reformed Church, and in their 
daily lives nobly exemplify its teachings. 



GlKOl 



,^;^K0R(;E W. GRAY, a retired farmer and 
hotel manager, is spending the declining 
ears of a successful life in the beautiful 
town of Sturgis, in the pleasant home to which he h.is 
retired to enjoy the ample competence that he h.is 
gained through the shrewd management of his aflfairs. 
Through his having been identified with the business 
and agricultural interests of St. Joseph County for 
many years, and the proprietor of a popular hotel, 
he has become well known to the jwople at large and 
to the traveling public in particular, and all have 
accorded him the high place in their estimation due 
to a just, generous and upright man. He is the 
owner of the Berridge House, which he purchased 
in 1880 and managed successfully until the fall of 
1888, when he leased it and retired to his present 
residence. 

Mr. Gray was born in the town of Scipio, Cuya- 
hoga Co., N. Y., July 13, 182,i. William Gray 
his father, a native of .Saratoga County, N. Y., was 
a brave soldier in the War of 1812, serving under 
Gen. McLain in the navy department, on board the 
gunboat "Sackett Harbor;" the same boat, bearing a 
different name, may still be seen in Sackett's Harbor. 
Our subject's uncle. Samuel Gr.ay, wjis a soldier 
in the same war, serving in the infantry under Gen. 
Scott, and he participated in the battles of Lnmly's 
Lane. Chillewa. (Jucbec. etc. Our subject's father 
was also in the bombardment of C^ucbec and .Sack- 
ett's Harbor. They doubtless inherited their mili- 
tary ardr)r from Benjamin Gray, grandfather of our 
subject, a Revolutionary soldier, who served under 
Gen. DuQuesne. and his brother, Reuben Gray, took 
part in the Revolution under (ion. F'rancis Marion, 
an<l was killed in the battle of Cowixins. He left 
five sons, and ex-Gov. Gray, of Indiana, is lineally 



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42G 



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bT. JOSEl'll COUNTY. 



i= 



flescended from him. The mother of our siib- 
jfct, wliose maiileii nnnic was Elizabeth I ledger, 
was a daugiiter uf another Kc^vulutionary hero, 
Edward Iledger. vviio tooi< part in the battles of 
Huiikcr's Hill, Vorktowii, Moiimuiith, White Plains, 
Sl)iiytendii3vil, Germantown and Bennington, and 
though he fought bravely and well he never received 
a wound. 

It will be seen from the foregoing that the blood 
of sturdy patriots flows in the veins of our subject, 
and that he has just reason to bo proud of his Hevo- 
Inlionary ancestors. Doubtless he inherited from 
llR-ni the bold and enterprising spirit that lias made 
him successful in his various undertakings. He is, 
however, a self-made ukui, and obtaining such 
education as the schools of the time afforded, he 
startc<I out in the world with no other fortune than 
a courageous heart and .1 willingness and eapacily 
to work. He came to this county- Sept. 23, 
18;')!, and settling in Sturgis, sold boots and shoes 
and bought hides, etc., for Rittersbaugh, Baker A- 
Co., of Clarence Hollow, X. Y. After engaging in 
that busini!ss si.\ years his health failed him, and he 
resumed his old trade, that of brick and stone 
mason. He worked at that for four 3'ears and then 
went into a shop again. Three years later his 
failing health drove him to the farm, and he w.as 
prolitably engaged in agrieultur.al pursuits until 
1 sso, when, as beft)re mentioned, he invested some 
of his capital in a hotel, and turned his attention 
to its m.'inagement. He still owns his farm, which is 
one of the finest in the county, comprising 21 2 
acres of highly ])r(idu<-li\ c land in Burr Oak and 
Sherman Townships. 

.Ml-, (iray was united in marriage to JHss Sarah 
A. liaker. May ii, 1 8."i2, and of their pleasant wedded 
life three children li.ave been born, two of whom 
live — Kit C. and Eddie B. Kit married Alice 
Thurston, and they make their home on section 30, 
Burr Oak Township; the}' have four children, 
namely: Eaitli, Thomas, George and Spencer. 
Mrs. (!ray is the daughter of Benjamin and Nancy 
(llirshey) Baker, both of whom are deceiised. She 
was born in New York in 1820. 

When our subject entered the then little village 
of Siiugis nearly thirty-eight years ago and cast in 
his lot with its pioneer business men, being a young 



man of exceptional habits and high principles, he 
gained the confidence of the people among whom 
he had come to make his home from the very first. 
He took as active a part in developing the town and 
its various interests as anj- of his contemporaries, 
and his name will always be honorably associated 
with the energetic, enteriirising and worthy pioneers 
of the town. He is a man of strong convictions, 
and is broad minded and liberal in his religious 
views. Politically, he is a stanch advocate of the 
doctrines promulgated b^- the He|)ublican party. 



^55)EORGE Wn.LARD MATTICE, editor and 
if ^w" l'i"0P'"'Pt'*'' f'f tl'P ***'• J"Sf'iih C'liunlii Xeus^ 
"^^5; which is publishecl at Mendon, established 
this journal in September, 1886, and although still 
in its infancy, it is recognized as a very vigorous 
enterprise, one evidcnth' bound to succeed. Its 
projector is a man of more than ordinary ability, 
one who has seen much of life, anil especially the 
Western World, having visited ncarlj- all of the 
States and Territories west of the Missouri River. 
He has made good use of his opportunities, is well 
read and well informed, and on account of his uni- 
formly courteous demeanor toward all with whom 
he comes in contact, has made hosts of friends in 
this county. 

The first five years of the life of Mr. Mattice 
were spent in the village of Michlleburg, .Schoharie 
Co., X. Y., where he wasliorn Aug. 1 1, IS.'d. Five 
years later his parents removed to Fultonham, 
the same county, where he attt-ndec) the district 
school until a youth of sixteen years, and then spent 
one year as a teacher. He had alw.ays taken kindly 
to his books, and was ambitious to obtain a thor- 
ough education. In the eighteenth j'car of his .age 
he entered the State Normal School at Albanj', N. 
Y., where he took a full course, and from which he 
was graduated .June 29, 187.J. 

The following two years were spent by young 
Mattice as a teacher in his native State, which he 
was then obliged to leave on account of failing 
health. He w.is then for three years connected with 
the advertisiiig department of the I'nion Pacific 
Railroa<l Directory, and it was in the employ of 

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ST. .lOSKlMI COUNTY. 



427 



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this eoiii|)aiiy llial lie prosecuted the trnvels which 
wo iiiivo alieiidy spukcii of, not only in tin- West, 
liiit over iii!iii\- of lilt- Kastorn Statos. In the wiu- 
tfr uf 1879 he jouriicj'ed to Ori-f^ou. and in .Innc 
fullowinij prufi'cdod to Takonia. Wyo.. and made 
lii> initial oxpeiinient as a publisher. 

In lss-_' Mr. iMatlicc bi-j^an sufferinjj from his 
old pliysifal allliclion. and luiijraling to the eastern 
pari of \\'asliinj,'lon Territory, esUihlished the 
Press at Medical Lake. lie was married in Janu- 
ary. IHS."), and in the f;dl of that yi'ar. leaving the 
continenient of ollicc work, enili.-irked in stotk-r:iis- 
injr. at which lie occupied liiniscif until the summer 
of l.s.sC. He then sold out his interests in that sec- 
tion of country, and for a time sojourned in Mar- 
sii.iil, tills State, the former home of hi> wife, llis 
next enterprise was tlie estaldlshnicnl of the \e"-s. 
The famil}' of Mr. .M;ittice includes his estimalde 
wife and two bright boys. lie has never taken a 
very active part in polities, lie ollieiated as Jus- 
tice of the I'eaee in Washington Territory', and so- 
cially, is a memlier of the M.asonic fraternity. 

KKDKRKK 1). IIASNKNGKK. To this 
gentleman belongs the distinction of being 
/i\ one of the oldest settlers of St. Joseph 

County now living within its borders, he having 
taken up his residence here in 1H38, and during 
these lifty years he has been prominently idcntined 
with its farming community. He has not onl}* wit- 
nessed almost the entire growth of this section of 
the country from the primeval forest that he found 
here in all iU grandeur to its present wealthy and 
.-idvaneed condition, but he has been no unimpor- 
tant factor in developing its agricultm-al re.-ources, 
and so contributing to its material prosperity. His 
farm is on section I'J, Conslantine Townslu'p. where, 
with his sons, he owns ('• 10 acres of some of the linesl 
farming land in Southern Michigan, also owning 
1(10 aere;< in I'resque Isle County, Mich. 

Our suliject was born in Milllin Township. Mercer 
Co., I'a.. July 7. IH\H. Ilig parents, Abraham and 
I'A'e ( HIechler) II:is.senger, were also natives of that 
county, and there began their wedded life. They 
aftcr«ard removed to Kichland Count\ . ( )hiii, whore 



the father died. The mother died in A\ ood County. 
Ohio. They had a fau)ily of eleven children, of 
whom our subject was t\n' youngest. He w.ns eight 
3'ears old wlieii his parents made their home in 
Kichland ( ounty, and cast in their lot wilh the pio. 
neers of the county who had precc<led them. lie 
was reared on a farm to manhood's estate, and then 
learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed 
most of the time as long as he was eng.iged in active 
labor, although he carried on farming at the same 
time, lie liveii in Hichland County. Ohi(j. until he 
was about twenty years old, when he came to St. 
Joseph County, being tli£ii a single man, and has 
since been a resident of this township, with the ex- 
ception of a few years which he spent on the line in 
Cass Count}'. He has been very successful in his 
agricultural ventures, and derives an ample income 
from his farm, which is finely located in a rich and 
fertile region, and is provided with a neat and com- 
modious set of buildings for every necessary pur- 
pose. 

Mr. Hassenger was married in Cass County, this 
Stiite, Dec. 12, 1847, to Miss M.irgaret Lint/.. She 
is a native of Alsace, and was born in that I'rovincc 
of French parentage, when it formed a part <>{ 
France, Feb. 11», 1828. She was eleven years old 
when her parents, Peter and Elizabeth (Marlow) 
Lintz, likewise Alsacians hy birth, came with their 
family to America in 1 839. They settled in Constan- 
tine Township, this county, and here spent the re- 
mainder of their lives. They had seven children, of 
whom Mrs. Hassenger was the eldest. Five scjns 
have Ijcen born to her and her husband, of whom 
the following is recorded : John V. married Jlinerva 
Young, and resides in Constantino Township, and 
has been a teacher for twelve years; .lonas M. lives 
at home with his parents, and has also been a teacher 
for six j'oars; Franklin A. married Ida Young, and 
resides in Constantino Township, .and for fifteen 
years past has taught >chool fall and winter, at pr»s- 
ent teaching in Mottville: Levi I), married Letlie 
Young, and resides in Constantino Town>hip: 
Jerome N. lives at home with his p.arents. 

Mr. Hassenger is a min of great intelligence, with 
a good fluid of inform.-ition and sound common 
sense, and with hi> «ife. a lady of more than orili- 
nary Ujcntal eiidownients. occupies a high soci:il 



: ? » Jf ■» 



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428 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



position in this community, wlitre tliey are botli 
deservedli' regarded with confidence and respect. 
Tbeir sons are j'oung men of ability and force of 
ciiaraetcf, who have inherited from their parents 
those liigh principles and industrious habits that 
do and will malve them valued citizens wherever 
they may be. Mr. Ilassenger is a consistent and 
esteemed member of the Dutch Reformed Church. 
He is liberal and public-spirited, and an}' move- 
ment looking to the advancement of his township 
finds in him ready and substantial supjjort. He 
has taken an earnest interest in educational matters, 
and has done good service while acting in various 
official capacities on the School Board. In politics 
he strongly advocates the policy of the Democratic 
party. 



OTO 
"o2So~ 



'ift^A\Il) L. WHITE, a respected citizen and 
I jj) prosperous farmer, and a member of the 
/iS^j^ Cyclone Fanning ^lill Comi);niy. resides in 
White Pigeon. He was born in Iluuting- 
t(m County, Ind.. .Ian. .5. 18i)0. He is the son of 
Lewis White, who went to Indiana in 1838, from 
Cayuga County, N. Y., where he was born. His 
mother was Elizabeth (Gibson) White. The father 
was born in 1800, and died in April. 1878. at the 
age of seventy-seven years. The mother died Dec. 
2il. 1878. They reared a family uf live children, 
of whom only two are living. Our subject, and 
his sister .Alary .J., who is now the widow of Dolphus 
(). Clark, are the survivors. 

The parents of the subject of this sketch settled 
first in Lockport Township in 1851, and moved to 
White I'igeon Township in 18G1. Oursubject has 
alw.ays followed agricultural pursuits until five 
yeai-s ago, when he leased his farm ;ind moved into 
town. He now owns a farm of 200 acres, one and 
a half miles east of the town, which he h.TS leased. 
The farm is well improved and finely located. He 
is one of the company which established the C}'- 
clone Fanning Mill factory, in the spring of 188G; 
they now employ eleven men and keep eight sales- 
men on the road. Their produce runs over 100 
mills a month. During the year 1888 they found 
the demanil for their goods increasing so rajjidly 
that tlu'v were unable to fill all their orders, and 



^t^ 



now have under consider.ition plans to increase 
their product and sujiply all who wish them. The 
mill is one of the most novel in construction that 
has ever been made. It applies to a valuable i)ur- 
pose one of the laws of nature which so far has 
proved ver}' destructive to life and property, 
namely, the spiral, whirling motion of air in the 
cyclone which gives the mill its name. In this mill 
it is produced to clean out of grain all the foul 
seeds, chaff and straw, by which the grain is left in 
a first-class market:d)le condition. It is the sim- 
plicity of construction that is the chief recom- 
mendation, and it is so obvious to every observer 
that its value is at once conceded. It is in all re- 
spects a thoroughly scientifically constructed ma- 
chine, and it does its work so rapidly and well that 
every farmer will have one and appreciate its v.alue. 
Our subject was married to Miss Rachel A. Dale 
Nov. 14, 1877; she is the daughter of .\mos Dale, 
now deceased. She is the mother Of one child — 
Clement L. Herself and husband are members of 
the Presbj-terian Church, in which organizaticm 
the}' hold an important place. Both husband and 
wife are members of the County tlrange, P. of H. 
Mr. White devotes himself exclusively to the prose- 
cution of his business and enjoying the quiet of 
his home. 






Ky* OXROE EYANS. As is well known, the 
/// \\\ soldier element has always ))laycd a con- 
spicuous part in the upbuilding of Michi- 
gan, from the days of the famous General 
and Governor, Lewis Cass, and even before, down 
to the present times, when a ])opular otticer of the 
I'uion Army recentlj- ably filled the gubernatorial 
chair. The volunteer soldier who marched in the 
ranks, and by his strict obedience to the orders of 
his commanders, his intelligent efficiency, steady 
courage, discipline under fire, ardor and patriotism, 
was an important factor in suppressing the Rebell- 
ion, and oft times receivefl promotion to important 
olHcial grades for gallant and daring conduct in 
some hard-fought battle, has also borne an im- 
portant part in securing the advancement and ma- 
terial prosperity of this great commonwealth. .\s 
a fine representative of this class, we are glad here- 



T 



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ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



42!) 4 



with to present n sketcli of tlie life of the centle- 
iimn whose iwime is at the iiead of this biograpiiical 
notiee. lie is now living in retirement in one of 
the pleasant homes of the pretty town of Sturgis. 

.Mr. Evans was born amid tiie beantiful hills of 
Windsor Connty, ^'t.. .Inly 15. IS34. he being de- 
rived from a sturdy, inlellisjont New England an- 
cestry. His fatiier. t'alvin Evans, waii a native of 
Maine, liut when a yonng man he left the home of 
his l)irth and took np his abode in the (Ireen 
Monntain State. He there met and married Abi- 
gail Wyman, a danghter of Uavid Wyman. In 
1838 Mr. Evans removed with his family to West- 
fiehl, Chautauqua Co.. N. Y., and there he kept 
a hotel, which during the Patriot War was the 
liead(|uarters of the .Vmerican oHicers. The Hon. 
"William .Seward was his ne.xt door neighbor. The 
parents of our subject were greatly respected by 
all in their community. His father was a man of 
clear head and sound judgment, and in his capac- 
ity of "mine host" wiis popular with all classes of 
people. To him and his wife were born nine chil- 
dren, eight of whom live, namely: George AV., 
Mary C, James W., Lu<lelia M., Helen M.. Harriet 
M., Calvin W. and .MiHiroe. 

Our subject receiveil a liberal education in the 
Newark .Vcademy, N. Y.. which well litted him for 
aTiy walk in life that he might ])refer. He was in 
the prime of early manhood when the late war was 
raging, and he enlisted to assist in the defense of 
the institutions of the country, liecominga member 
of Company E, 2d New York .Mounteil KiUes. He 
w:us actively engaged in several important battles, 
and his etiicieney and bravery while in action were 
rewarded l)y [)romoti(m through the various grades 
to that of .Second Lieutenant, he acting in that ca- 
pacity in the battles <if the Wilderness. .Spott«yl- 
vania Court House, North Anna River. Talo|)Ot- 
oniy Creek. Cold Harbor, etc. He was in the heat 
of battle in fnmt of Petersburg from July 15 to 
.Vug. 31, 18(M, and he was at Weldon Railway, and 
Poplar S| (rings Church. He wjis captured on the 
Preble Farm, in front of Petersburg, Oct. 4, 18G4. 
and experienced the hardshi|)s of life in the vari- 
ous pri.sons at Petersburg, Libby. Salisbury. N. C.. 
Danville. \'a., and from the latter [K'n wa.s sent back 
to Libbv. anil from there sent down the river on 



the first boatload of jjrisoncrs for general exchange 
under (iens. (Jralit and Lee. Arriving in An- 
napolis, ISId., Eeb. 22. 1865, he was sent home on a 
leave of absence, and the war dosing before he had 
recruited fi-om the etfcct^ of diet in the rebel 
prisons, he received his discharge by mail, and 
thus closed his life as a soldier and an officer in the 
great civil strife in which he won an honorable 
military record, one of which he and his friends 
may well be prouil. 

Mr. Evans came toSturgis in tiie spring of 18(10. 
and has ever since been a useful and influential 
citizen of this community. For four years ho 
served as Deputy Sheriff, jierforming the; duties of 
that office with signal ability, and in such a manner 
as to win the encomiums of his constituency". He 
is conspicuously identified with the various socie- 
ties represented in Sturgis. the M.asijnic. I. ()•.(). F., 
and the (1. .V. R. claiming him as one of their 
most valued members. In 1884 he w.as one of the 
grand officers of the (irand Encampment of the I. 
O. O. F. of Michigan, and he was Offlcer of the 
D.ay for two years in the (1. \. R. He is a man of 
fine capacity, and has a clear, well-balanced mind, 
and ills genuine kindness of heart and good com- 
radeship have gained him many warm friends. 

Our subject has been twice married. He was 
first wedded to Miss Cornelia M. Thompstni. a 
daughter of Jeremiah and Emeline Thomikson. 
Mrs. Evans was born in .Sodus. Wayne Co.. N. Y.. 
in 1834, and died May 5. 1885, and thus was 
clo.sed a life well spent and full of all things that 
go to make a good woman. My that marriage f«)ur 
children were born, of whom Imt one survives, 
Frances E. She is the wife of Wilfred H. Wilde, 
of .Sturgis. .and they have five chihlren. namely : 
(irace, Nina. Arthur, Cornelius and Ralph. 

The marri.age of our subject to his present wife 
was solemnized in .lune. 1887. She is a gracious, 
frank, warm-hearted woman, and makes their home 
pleasant and co/.v. Mrs. Evans' maiden name was 
Mary E. Morse, she being a daughter of Emory 
and Emily Morse. She has been twice married, 
and by her first mai-riage to H. E. Boyd became the 
mother of one daughter, Carrie M.. who is now 
sixteen years old. Religiously. Mrs. Evans sub- 
scribes to the Methodist doctrines, and i< nii nt- 



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430 



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ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 




teiulant at church although not a member, and is 
also a member of the AV. li. ('.. an auxilliaiy of the 
(;. A. R. Mr. Evans always resi)on(ls generously 
to anv c.ill fm financial aid from the various 
churclic> and lienevoleiit institutinns. 



A\ ID PA(tK. Among the pioneers (jf St. 
Joseph County no one is looked upon with 
if^m^ more respect and veneration than he whose 
^"^ name appears at I lie head of this sketch. 
He lia.s taken true and heartfelt pride in watching 
the sturdy growth of the county, and he having 
been an important factor in building up its business 
interests, a record of its rise and i)rogress would be 
incomplete without mention of him. He kicated 
in Sturgis. his present jilace of residence, in 1837. 
and at that time l)uilt the first foiuulry ami ma- 
chine-shop in the county. 

Our subject was born al llcliroii. (iiaftou Co.. 
N. H.. April 18. 1811. His father. Thomas I'age, 
deceased, was also a native of New Kngland. born 
in the town of Heliron. Conn., of Knglish parent- 
age. He was a prominent man and influential citi- 
zen of his town, and after the War of 1812 was 
appointed collector of the direct tax. He married 
Sallie dale, of Concord. N. H. They were tiie 
jiarents of ten children, three still living. 

David I'age. of whom we write, received a lim- 
ited education in the common schools of his native 
State, bnt a |)raetic.al training at home in the indus- 
trial l)ranciies. At the age of eighteen years he 
determined to learn the trade of an iron molder, 
and for th.at purpo.se went to I'.ainesville. Ohio, and 
remained in the iron works of that ])lace for eight 
years. He then came to Michigan, as before stated, 
and built a foundry and a machine-shop, the only 
one in fills part of the State, the nearest one af tiiat 
time liiMiig at Mishawaka, Ind.. forty miles distant. 
The foundry is still in operation. !Mr. Page hav- 
ing had charge of it until 18.')2. when he sold out. 
and for the ensuing three years engaged in the 
flry -goods business. In 185.5 our subject opened a 
hardware store, which he carried on fgr several 
years. Subsequently, in partnership with .'^il.a.s 

A* 



\ 



Stow, he engaged in the manufacture f>f furniture 
and chairs, under the firm name of Page A- Slow. 
He met with his former good success in this liusj- 
ness. continuing it until 18(55. when hesf)ld out his 
interest, and the next four years conducted a flour 
and feed business. Having by that time ama.ssed a 
sufficient sum for .all his temporary needs, he has 
since lived a retired life. and. though now in feeble 
health, is enjoying the rewards of an honest busi- 
ness man, who toiled while it was yet ntorningthat 
in the evening he might take rest and ctmifort. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss .\nianda. 
daughter of the late Luther Jewel, took place in 
Painesville. Ohio. Jan. 28. 1835. Mrs. Page was a 
most estimable woman and a true helpmate to her 
husband, presiding with womanly grace and tender- 
ness over her household until her death. March 7. 
1872. She bore her husband five children, of whom 
four are now living, of whom the following is ic- 
corded: Olive .1.. boin in I'aincsvillc. Ohio. Oct. 
20. 1835; S:irah J., born in Sturgis. Dec. 25. 1838. 
married Crebillion Jacobs. David Cl.ayton. born 
in Sturgis, Keb. 5. 18-16. attended the Law .School 
af .\w\\ .\rbor. and was admittj'd to i)ractice in the 
Initeil States District Court. He is now an attor- 
ney of note in Petoskev. Mich., and is .ludge of 
Probate for Kmmet County, and li;iving bci-n elected 
in a Democratic district shows without coinmcMit 
that he must be a very popular and highly esteemed 
citizen of the coimty. .as he is a standi Republican in 
his political views. He married Mrs. Sarah Rey- 
nolds, and fliey have one child. Lottie. Mrs. Piige 
h.id one child by her first husband, who. having been 
.adoi>ted by Mr. Page, now bears Ihe name of l-',u- 
gene Reynolds Page. Lama .1. M.. born in Stur- 
gis. Dec. 15. 181'.l. married < Imrles Nichols, of 
Chicago. 

Our subject resides with his eldest daughter. 
( »li\ e. widow of the late (ien. AVilliam L. Stoughton. 
who died from the effe<'fs of ii wound receivil dur- 
ing tlic late «;ir. (ieii. Stoughton was born in 
Hangor. N. V.. .March 2(1. 182'.t. and there he spent 
the early years of his life. He was a man of 
intellectual ability, steadfiLSt integrity and firm 
moral jirinciples. He received a legal education, 
anil after coming to Michigan soon took a high 
rank among its proiniiienl ••ind influential cili/.eiw. 



-- ■- -- 



•» II 4* 



^ 



ST. .ios?:ph county. 



4.31 



having lieeu twice elodcrt I'rosociitinfr Attorney for 
SI. .losopli Conntv. and in 1X61 wa.* appointed l>v 
I'lcsident Lincoln rnited States Di.-itrict .Vttorney 
for Mi(liiir:in. At tlie lireakinjj onl of tlic late 
Civil War lie laid aside all personal aniliitions and 
enlisted in the .service of his country, lie had the 
confidence and e.st<'eni of all his fellow-citizens, 
and after the orjjanization of the Jltli Mi<'lii<;an 
Infantry he was mustered in as Lieutenant Col- 
onel of the reirinient. He was suliseiineiitly pro- 
moted for brave conduct to the rank of IJriiradier 
• iener.'d. and later, for u^dlant service in the field, 
was lireveted .Major (u-neral. .\fter the clo.se of 
the war (ien. Stoujjhton w.-us not allowed to retire 
to private life, hut in l«6fi w.as elected .Vttorney 
(ieneral of .Michifjan. servin<f until ISfiS. when 
he wa.s elected to Con<iress from the Fourth .Michi- 
<:an District, and ajrain re-elected in ISTII. Ileserved 
with distinction on the Coinniittee on Military .\f- 
fjiirs, and under his elHcient leadership twd Mils 
were [lassed (Mjualizintr the liounties of soldiers. A 
fuller and more extended account of (ien. 
Stought<ni may he found in the ".Vnterican IJio- 
trraphical History of Kniiuent and Self-made Men 
of the .State of Michijran." 'I'o (u-neral and Mrs. 
Stougliton were Ijorn five children, of whom three 
are now liviufj. William 1'.. Imrn Sept. 22. \X'>~. 
married Miss Dell, daughter of .lolin .McKerlie. a 
pioneer of this county; .Sanford F.. horn .Ian. 17. 
1H(;2. is a clerk in Farwell's drv-giMxls store in Chi- 
c:i;ro: Blanche, horn Feh. 2f.. l«7:l. Willi.im ]'. is 
head postal clerk on the fast mail train on Ihc l.aki' 
Shore Railway. .Vrlhur was the second son; he 
died .lune 21. \HM. Olive died at the age of five 
months. 



SA r. KKNYON. a member of the firm of 
vCwLir K. T. I'arker A- Co., livery stable kee|>ci-s, 
/// lS> Sturgis, is the pioneer liveryman, and one 
of the oldest settlers of the town, and is 
widely known and esteemed throughout ,St. ,)osei)h 
County. lie and his i^irtncr, who is his stepson, 
do the main business in their line in this and sur- 
rounding towns, besides having a large transfer 
business. 

Mr. Kenvon was horn Oct. II, 1.h|.'). in the town 



-t= 



of Ellisbnrg, Jeffei-son Co., N. Y. His parents, 
Harnabas and Betsey (Parkhurst) Kenyon, were 
natives of Rhode Island and Oneida Count}', N. 
y. His father went to the .State of New York 
when a child, and there, when he grew to man's es- 
tate, he carried on the clothier's trade and also that 
of a miller. Uoth parents are deceased. 

Our subject received a good common-school edu- 
cation in his native county, and he grew to he a 
sturdy, self-reliant, active j'oung man, and at the 
age of nearly twenty -one he started out to .see 
something of the world, making his wa}' to La- 
grange County, Ind., in .Inly, 1836. He worked 
on a farm in the summer seasons, and in winter 
utilized his education by teaching school for about 
eleven years, becoming very successful in that pro- 
fession. In 1849 Mr. Ken3'on came to Sturgis, and 
has been an honored resident here ever since. lie 
was actively engaged in carpentering for sevcr.nl 
years, and then turned his attention to w.agon-mak- 
ing, which he followed four or five years. In 18G5 
he entered upon his present business as a livery 
stable keeper, and has been prosperously engaged 
in that ever since. He is iu)w in comfortable cir- 
cumstances, and his credit sUmds high in business 
circles, as he has alw.ays dealt fairly and squarely 
by all who have had dealings with him. His genial- 
ity, kind-heartedness, anil obliging manners render 
him popular in this community, where he has manj" 
warm friends. 

Mr. Kenyon lia> been twice married. His fii-st 
marriage was to Rachel Cummings, daughter of, 
Robert Cummings, to whom he was united in April. 
1843. After a brief but happy wedded life of a 
year's duration, Mrs. Kenyon was calleil hence by 
death. March . 31. I.S14. She left one son, .1. Mil- 
ton, who was married in iMichigan Cit}', Ind., to 
Nean Higgins, and they live in Toledo, Ohio, anil 
have three children — Kate. Nettie and Rachel. The 
marriage of our subject to Mrs. Isabelle Parker, his 
present estimable wife, was consummated in t)cto- 
ber, l.Hll). She was the wirlow fif Krastus Parker, 
and a daughter of .lames McKerlie. an earlv pio- 
neer of St. .loseph County. By her first marriage 
she had one son. Krastus T. Parker, our subject's 
p;utner, who.se sketch will be found on another p:ii;i' 
of this volume. By this second marriage Mr. ami 



S- 



A. 



432 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 






Mrs. Keiiyon have hnr\ three children : DeWitt, 
who died at the age of four years ; Mar3- and Franiv. 
Marj" married Emmons S. Hudson, of Rilej'. Kan., 
an() they have three children — Harlow K., Bessie 
B. and Nettie. Frank married Eliza Bottornly, and 
thev live in this town. 



(^^=^H(JMAS .1. .lONKS. who w:is for many years 
4k^N prominently identified with the agricultural 
^^^ interests of St. Joseph County, and still 
owns one of its finest farms, pleasantly located in 
C'onstantine Township, has relinquished the active 
labors connected with the m.inagcment of his prop- 
erty, and is now living in retirement in Coustan- 
tine Village, in the enjoyment of the means that he 
has .accumulated hy energetic and well-directed 
toil. 

Mr. Jones is a native of Maryland. Iioni in Wasli- 
ington County, Feb. 1, 1818, and. allliougli not 
among the earliest .settlers of this county, may yet be 
numbered among its pioneers, as he first came here 
in 1853. and a year or two later, after a brief resi- 
dence in Indiana, became interested in developing 
its agricultural resources, .is a member of its farm- 
ing community. His father. John Jones, was a 
native of the same county where our subject had 
his birth, and there died. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Elizabeth Rutter, was also a native of 
Maryland. In 1874 she came to White Pigeon, 
this county, and in 1881 passed away from the 
scenes of earth. She wiis the mother of four chil- 
dren, of whom Thomas J. was the second. 

The death of our subject's father left him practi- 
cally on his own resources at the tender age of six 
j'ears. As wius the custom at that time and in that 
locality, he w.as bound out until he was sixteen 
j-ears of age. These years were spent on a farm, 
where he accpiired not only a thorough knowledge 
of agriculture, but also laid the foundation for the 
rugged health he has always enjoyed. When six- 
teen he began learning the tr.ade of shoemakiug 
with hi> unrlc. Benjamin Rutter, in Northumber- 
land County, Pa. With him he staid three vears, 
and then began .as a journeyman. Two years later 
he returned to farm work, until three vears after 



his marriage, when he was emplo^yed in the Montour 
Rolling Mills, at Danville, Pa. This was his voca- 
tion for seven years, until he made up his mind to 
emigrate West. 

During his residence in Northumberland County 
Mr. Jones was married, Jan. 5, 1813, to Miss Jane E. 
Guffy, daughter of John and Nancy ((irier) (niffy, 
who died in Northumberland County. Pa. They 
were the parents of eight children, of whom Jlrs. 
Jones wiUi the fifth in order of birth. She was born 
in Northumberland County, May 23. 1823. She is 
a woman of superior capability, a deft and thrifty 
housewife, who looks well to th^ ways of her 
household, and in so doing h-as co-operated with 
her husb.and, and in no small measure contributed 
to his prosperity. The following is recorded of 
the seven children who have' been born of their 
wedded life: Elizabeth Agnes is the wife of Joseph 
Stangal. of Constantine; Emma .lane is the wife of 
William Iloats. of Three Rivers; Sophia is the wife 
of Clark Shellcnbarger, of Indiana; Clara is the 
wife of Arthur Red fern, of White Pigeon; Mary 
L. is at home; John D. died in Constantine Town- 
ship, May 1, 1881. and Frederick died when five 
years of age. 

In the spring of 1853 Mr. Jones disposed of his 
property in Pennsylvania, and migrated with his 
wife and three children to St. Joseph County, this 
State. During the following summer he lived in 
AVhite Pigeon, and then removed to Elkhart County, 
Ind., where he eng.agcd in the lumber business. 
Eighteen months Later we again find him in St. Jo- 
seph County, on a farm which he had bought in 
White Pigeon Township. He remained there seven 
3'ears, vigorously and successfully engaged in ag- 
ricultural pursuits. At the end of th.at time he 
had a fine chance to dispose of his property there 
at a good profit, and immediately availed himself 
of the offer, .and then sought a home in Const.an- 
tine Township, where he purchased aiujther farm. 
He carried on that place twenty-two years, and so 
improved it by careful cultivation, and the erection 
of substantial buildings, that its value was greatly 
increased, and it became one of the most desirable 
farms in the township. It comprises 280 acres of 
highly productive land, is finely located, and ad- 
mirablv adapted both to raising stock and grain. 



■<- 



Sr. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



433 



In November. 1887, lie luiilt n liiniilsonu' l>ri(k 
rt^siideiico. ni'.sr the Lake Slioic A- Mii'liifran Soiitli- 
(Mii Railway station in C'onstaiitiue. and lie and 
liis family have one of the most attmetive homes 
in tlie place. 

The native ability, furesijrht. and deci.-ion of 
character of our subject have been imi)ort,int fac- 
tors in making life a success with him. He has 
ever been true to the principles of good citizen- 
ship, and in his relations with others has done his 
duty like an honorable man; as a husband and 
father, he is kind and devoted to the best interests 
of his family, and he and his wife have reason to 
be proud that their children have been reared to 
lead useful and upriifht lives, and have not de- 
parted from the example set by their parents; as a 
neiffhbor. he is kind and obliijinff. Mr. .loncs is 
deeply interested in politics, and stanclily upholds 
the policy of the Republican party, lie has con- 
tributed to the maintenance of l.iw and order in this 
community by his faithful discharjfe of the duties 
connected with the office of Justice of the Pe.ice, 
which he held for one term. Mrs. .lones wiis for- 
merly a member of the Reformed Church, but is 
not now identified with any religious denomination. 

As illustrating the habits of economy and thrift 
which have governed his life, Mr. Jones mentions 
that the first money he ever had of his own was 
fifty cents, which w.is given him by his employer 
when he was fifteen years old. This money he kept 
for many ye.ars, finally giving it to his mother 
when he was about twenty-two years old. This 
habit of saving has been the basis of the finan- 
cially inde|)endent position now occupied by Mr. 
Jones. 

dVwJON.V.S WOLF occupies a leading iKisition 
{l| .-imong the public-spirited and liberal citi- 
I Zens who by the free use of their wealth have 
1/ given great impetus to the growth and de- 
vehipment of St. Joseph County. He was for a 
few \ cars closely identified with the farming inter- 
ests of the county, owning and managing a large 
and valuable farm in Florence Township, but he 
dis|M)se<l of that .-ieveral years ago and removed to 
the village of C'onstantine. where he has since re- 



I sided, he having an ample fortune, so that he now 
lives in retirement from the active duties of busi- 
ness. 

I Our suljject comes of an old (n-rnian family 
w1k> lived in WurtiMubcig. (icrinaiiy. and his par- 
ents, .lolin and (atlicrinc ( llahn ) Wolf, were na- 

I lives respectively of Wurtemberg, Germany, and 
of Kt'tlili'hcm. Northampton Co., Pa. We are not 
told when the father emigrated to this country, but 
he was married in the Keystone State, and there 
spent his last years, dying in Ciilninbia County. 
The mother died in St. .loseph County, Mich. They 
were people of solid worth, and were deservedly 
held in high estimation. They h.id a family of 
eight children, of whom Jona.< was the youngest. 

Our subject was born in Mittlin. Columbia Co.. 
Pn.. Nov. 12. 1«I2. lie w.ts reared on a farm until 
he w.as twelve years of age. when thus early in life 
he began his initiation in the mercantile business, 
and for six years was engaged as a clerk. At the 
youthful age of eighteen he established himself in 
business on his own account at Roaring Creek, in 
his native county, and w.-is engaged a.« a merchant 
there and at other points in Pennsylvania for some 
thirty-seven years. He bought a farm for 812.5 
an acre, the said farm being located on the west 
branch of the Susquehanna River, and after man- 
aging it for three years in connection with his busi- 
ness, he sold the \)hwo for ^200 an acre. He disposed 
of all of his interests in his native State, and com- 
ing to Michigan in the fall of 186.5. bought a farm 
in Florence Townshi)). paying ^ 1 7,(1(1(1 for it. This 
he carried on with the usual success that attended 
all his efforts for three and one-half yeai-s. when he 
sold it for ^27. ()(>(), and removed to C'onstantine 
Village, of which he has since been an honored 
resident. 

Mr. Wolf has been twice married. His first mar- 
riage occurred in Northumberland County. Pa., on 
the north branch of the Susquehanna River, when 
he wa.s united to Miss Margaret (iearhart. a native 
of that county. She diinl in Danville, I'a., leaving 
six children, of whom the following is recorde<l: 
.lohn W. resides on Uroad street. C'onstantine 
Township; Joseph 1). resides in Florence To\vnshi]i; 
Hernian CI. resides in C'onstantine Village; Mary 
C. is the wife of Jackson Darrah. of IVnnsvlvania: 



-4*- 



■•►■ 



•►Hf^ 



■*► 



4;u 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, 



Fannie A. flicd in Pennsylvania in May. 1876; 
i-;ila 1\. is till' \\\U' (pf Dnvifl Kci<nioan. f)f River- 
side. I'.i. 

.Ml. wolf's marriage lo liis present wife looiv 
place on llie west lirancli of the Nnstjuelianna River, 
in Xortliunilx'rlaiKl County. Sejit. 2(1. 1«.'>1. .Mrs. 
\\ nif at tlie time of iier niarriai^e with our sul>jeet 
was the wi(l<»w of William LenKjn. who dieil in 
Point Township. Xortliumlierlaiul Co.. I'a. Her 
maiden name was N.aney N'ineeiil. and she wa.> lioiii 
in Delaware Township. Northiimherland County. 
.Sept. !>. JJ^lfi. Her parents. Isaac and Rel)eeea 
(Coml\) \ineent, departeil this life in Nortluim- 
lierland County. Tliey had ten children, of whom 
.Mr>. Wolf was the second in order of lijrlh. ISy 
this marriage 'Sir. and yiv>. WOlf have had two 
children. Carrie and Sally. Carrie is the wife of 
S. K. Davis, of Constantine; Sally, who was the 
wife of .Vlherl Reynolds, died Oct. 2(i. l?<7f<. 

.Mr. \\\>\( first visited St. .loseph Count \- in lf<;52. 
when it was in its primeval wildness. and purch.ised 
a tract of land in Loekport Tow-nship. on wliieh he 
resided for aliout three moiilhs. when he tired of 
the limitation^ and restrictions of pioneer life, as 
he found that he could make more money at the 
mercantile business in his native State, to whieh he 
ri'liiined. He is inllnential in polities and in local 
alTairs. .and has heen one of the Directors of the 
I'irst National Bank of Constantine for some ten 
ye.'irs. He was an ardent Democrat until thelireak- 
iug out of the Reliellion. wlien he sent two of his 
sons lo the front, where they served faithfully for 
four years, and he on his p;nt vigorously sup- 
ported the IvepuMican |)olicy in ri'gard to the nian- 
.•igement ot the war. from his Pennsylvania home. 
He continued to act with tliat part\ until ISi.Sl. 
when he returned lo hi> allegiance to the Denio- 
cr;itic part\. .Mr. \\ Hlf and his wifeare among the 
leailing memliers of the U'eformed Church. He 
w;is Klder in the church for several ye.ars. .-ind was 
iu>trumenl!d in securing the erection of the present 
idiliee. ill whii-h the congregation worship. He 
donates lilierally toward the support of the Cospel 
in this (own. .and every good work meets with Ids 
eordi;il symp.'ithy and suhslantial aid. Mi. Wolf 
owes his success as a husiness man to the tact that he 
w:i> gifted with rare judgment, keen discernment. 




great tact and an enterprising spirit. He is also 
greatly indebted for his pros|)erity to the cheerful 
:iid and active i-o-operation of his capable wife, who 
is [lossessed of a large share of common sense and 
decision of character. 



.VMKJ, MJLI.KR. a retired and well-to-do 
j)i f.armer. came to .Sturgis Nov. lli. 1881, to 
^ sjiend his declining years in this pleasant 
town. Ill the few years that have elapsed 
since that time In- has gained tlie gootl-will of the 
people among whom he has come to make his home, 
and he is held in the highest ei^teem for his con- 
siderate and kindly ways and his honorable chai'- 
adei-. 

;Mr. Millei- was born in Highland County, Ohio, 
.Inne 28, 1827, in the jiicjueer home of his parents, 
.Iacol)and Klizabeth (Proucius) .Miller. They were 
natives of Penn.sylvania. and had Ik'cu early settlers 
of Ohio. In the si)riiig <»f 1^31 they once more 
became pioneers, taking up their abode in the wilds 
of l>agrange County. Ind. They had twelve chil- 
dren, nine of whom are living, namely: Christiana, 
now ]\Irs. Young; David; (ieorge: Sarah, now .Mrs. 
Robliins; .\(lam. Joseph. Henry, William and our 
subject. The names fif the decea.sed were .lolin. 
Cathcriiu' (.Mrs. Pobliius) and James, all of whom 
were married and had families. The father of our 
subject died on the old homestead in Lagrange 
County, hid.. May I'i. \MX. and Mother Miller 
dieil .Vug. IG. 186!*, having rounded out a life of 
more than orilinary length. 

Daniel Miller was nearly four years of .-ige when 
his parents moved to Indiana, and he has a good 
recollection of the condition of the country in his 
boyhood, forests of ]>rinu'val growth abounding, 
Indians numerous, and .also wild animals, such as 
deer. be?.rs. wolves, coons, etc. The same pioneer 
condition (hen prevailed here, and as late as 1MI7 
two or three bears from the forests pas.seil through 
the streets of Stnrgis. Our s\ibject received his 
educatiim in the primitive school-liouse of Ihi' 
limes, a log cabin with ;i clapboard roof and 
with poles as weights to hold it down, lireplace at 
one end of the room, with stick and clav cliiinnev. 



T 



■m 



<gf!^ v*'^ ■» 






vy 





CI- ^^v/vc^ 



•«► 



ST. JOSEPH cor NT Y 



135 



-t 



nut] sliibs si-rvt'd as Ikmu'Iios. a board on i)ins ajrainst 
IIk' wall for (li'slv on wliicli In write, and :i imnclipon 
lloiir. i)\\v subjoct jrii'W to niMnliiiod. with a fliai- 
actt'r molded by the inllnenees that prevailed in 
^tieiiiith and stuidine>.-. I le ailopled Ihi' calling nf 
faiiner as best sniteil to his tastes. an<l it is iin- 
neeessarv to say that he met with maike<l success 
in his chosen callillfj. as he has licen enabled to re- 
tire on a conifortabic competence, removinir from 
his old lioiiie in lnclian;i to Stur-ris in IKHl.as be- 
foic incDtioned. 

.Mr. Miller lias been twice m.arrieil. lie was 
weddeil to Miss Kli/.abelh YoiiniT. May -21. IHIM. 
and to them came eh'ven children, ten of whom ai'c 
livinir. nanu'ly: Sclina. Manfreil. Henry. Diantha, 
Carleton, Daniel. .Mary. .Minon. Delos and Charles. 
Selina inarrieil (h.'irh's .^trnnd.of (Ireenlield 'I'owii- 
■«hip. I,:iuraiii.^e to.. Ind.. and they have had one 
child. .Mary 1'... who is dead: .Manfred married 
( lara I'atchin. :ind they live in Scdjjfwick Conntv. 
Kan.; they have seven children, namely : I.ocey. 
William. .\sel. Nellie. /,cll:i. .and a Llirl and bfn". in- 
fant» nnn.'inicd. Henry married .Mary .Moore, of 
the same county, anil they have three children — 
Zadie. Iterth.'i ;ind lleman. Diantha m.Mrried Carle- 
ton I.illie. of Lajjraiige t'otinty. Iml.: (arlelim 
married l.odeina .Snider, and they .are livinir in 
Sedifwick (dnnty. K.an., and have one child; Dan- 
iel ni.ai'i'icd l.onisa t'arpenter. who dicil. and he 
then married her sister .Mta: they now live in (old- 
water. .Mich., .and have one child, Clarence. Mrs. 
.Miller was a daiiiihter of I.ocey Youiiir. Iler 
death. .Vpiil 27. ISTI.was a severe blow to her 
family, to whose members she was <jreally devoted, 
anil tlie\' now cherish her memory with the ntmost 
ri'Verence. 

.Mr. Miller's second marria^rc which took place 
.\pril ■>■>. IMT.'i. was to Miss Helen M. I'ield. :i 
danirhter of the late David S. Field. Her mother. 
who>e maiden name w.'is .Martha (Wheeler) Field. 
i> now livinir in ^Volt•ottville. Ind.. at the advanced 
• lire of seventy-nine years. To our snbject and his 
present wife have been born three children, two 
livinir — Helen M . and ( I.Mude ]■'..-. one died in in- 
fancy. 

.Mr. .Miller, broiiirht np .-L-i he was in a pioneer 
country and under pioneer intlufnces. early :\v- 



r|uiii'da bold, self-reliant. .«clf-lielpful spirit, which. 

willi hi> persevering nature ami his <rood capacit\ 
for labor, were important elements in hi> after suc- 
cess, and he mi man.Mired his farininir intere.-ts as 
to ;icipiirc :i comt'orl.alile competence, .and is now 
enjoyinir the well-earned fruit of his early l:ibor>. 
He is a st:incli member of the .Methodist Kjiiscopal 
( hurch. and his daily life shows the sincerity of 
his rclijriou> professions. .Mrs. Miller is a faithful 
member of the Itaplist Church, and noiu' are more 
active in promoting irood works than shi-. .Mr. 
Miller is an adherent of the Kcpublicfiii p.artw and 
his views of the political situation of the il«\ .-ire 
sound and intelliircnt. 

flL^ON. .I.e. HISH01',e.v-member of the Miohi- 
Ijj). g:m Legislature, and long Chairman of the 
^^^ Hoard of Supervisors, was elected Snijer- 
(^) visor first in the spring of 1S07. He has 
served in this capacity, with the exception of one 
year, 1878. since that lime. He was .luslice of 
the Peace for a term of four years, and Iligliwaj- 
Commissioner for a term of three years. He was 
elected to represent the people of the then eastern 
district fif St. .Joseph County in the Ststte Legisla- 
ture, and served .acceptably his term of two years, 
in which tliere were two sessions of the Legislature. 
He has been Chairman of the Hoard of Supervisors 
for four years. In the village of Hurr Oak he holds 
the ofliceof Assessor, and in lS7r> w.as elected Presi- 
deiit of the \illairc Hoard, but declined to qualify. 
Mr. Hishop has discharged the duties of his various 
olllces in a innnner highlj- creditable to himself and 
satisfactory to his constituents, (ienerousand pidi- 
lic-spirited, he is nund)ei'cd among the leading men 
of St. Joseph Cotinty, and one intimately connected 
with its welfare and prosperity. 

The subject of this sketch was born at Franklin- 
ville. Cattaraugus Co., N. Y.. April 1. 1«2K. He 
came with his parents to this county in 18.3C. when 
a little lad eight years of age, and, with the excep- 
tion of si.\ years in Colorado and Nebraska, has 
since resided within its limits. He .acquired early in 
life a knowledge of agricullunil pursuits, in which 
he has ahvavs been interested, and noiwithstandinir 



-^^ 



■•► 



,t 



436 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



a large proportion of his time has been devoted to 
the discharge of public duties, he has continuously 
been interested in farming. Mr. Bishop, in 1874, 
took the State Census of the township of Burr Oak, 
and in 1880 the United States Census. Four years 
later he was agaiu connected with the taking of the 
State Census. 

The parents of our subject, .Tames L. and Mary 
(Carpenter) Bishop, were natives respective!}' of 
Connecticut and Massachusetts. The father was 
born Jan. 17, 1790, and the mother August 5 of the 
same j-ear. Their family included eight children, 
two of whom died in early childhood, and two sons 
yielded up their lives upon the battle-field in the 
service of their country, and one was killed during 
the Kansas troubles, supposed to have been mur- 
dered. 

The marriage of J. C. Bishop and Miss Cordelia 
Clark was celebrated in this count}', Jan. 11. 1851. 
Mrs. Bishop was born Nov. 8, 1 830, and is the daugh- 
ter of William and Marg.nret (Whitney) Clark, who 
were natives of New York .State, and spent their 
last years in Michigan and New York. Their fam- 
ily consisted of two children only. Mr. Clark came 
to Michigan in 1840, being one of the earliest set- 
tlers of Burr Oak Township. To our subject and 
his wife there were born two children — .Mary and 
William C. Mr. Bishop is a member of the Self- 
Protection Association of Burr Oak and vicinit}'. 
Politically, he is a warm supporter of Republican 
principles. In 1883 he took up his residence at 
Burr Oak, and has now a most pleasant and attract- 
ive home located at the corner of Third and Kagle 



streets. 



=s*5ii^e 




R. ROBERT A. GREEN. The subject of 
this personal historj' is a lionieopathic 
physician and surgeon, of good repute and 
enterprise. He is well esteemed by the 
public at large for his success in his chosen field of 
industry, and for his unquestioned abilit}' and 
accurate knowledge of his work. He is one of the 
most highl}' esteemed citizens of AVhite Pigeon. 

The ancestry of this gentleman can be traced back 
to the earliest Colonial times of the country. At a 
time before the colonies which compose the Union 



had grown into States, three brothers, including one 
Nathaniel Green, came from Scotland to America, 
and settled in Rhode Island, and it is from one of 
these brothers that our subject has descended. Na- 
thaniel Green went to Charleston, S. C, and has 
never been heard from, and it is not known if he 
left an}' posterit}' or not. The third brother is sup- 
posed to have gone to New York. The brother to 
whom our subject traces his ancestry is noted as 
being the original propagator of the famous apple 
known as the "Rhode Island Greening." 

The father of our subject, Benjamin Green, was 
born in Peru, Clinton Co.,N. Y.,and pursued the 
vocations of a tanner, currier and shoemaker. In 
his later years he was a farmer. Our subject was 
born in the town of Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y., 
eighteen miles east of the present city of Rochester, 
Dec. 16, 1824, where he lived with his parents, and 
attended the public schools and the academy at 
Marion, N. Y. At an early age he expressed a 
desire to enter the medical professioft, and all his 
studies were such .as to prepare him for it. When 
he was twenty-four years old he began reading 
under various preceptors; to secure money, which 
was not plentiful, to p.ay his way, he worked by the 
month for farmers in the neighborhood of his home, 
devoting all his spare time to his books. After 
reading three j'ears in the olDceof Dr. A. G. Austins 
a noted lecturer of that time, then located in Will- 
iamson, Wayne Co., N. Y., he practiced with him 
for a 3'ear and a half. 

At the end of this time our subject thought it 
advisable to practice alone, which he did for awhile. 
In December, 1860, he came to Michigan, and 
March 21, 1861, located in White Pigeon, where he 
has since continued to live, and has built up a large 
and remunerative practice. When he entered into 
his practice he did not discontinue his reading and 
researches, but kept them up, and w.as graduated 
from the Western Homeopathic College at Cleve- 
land, in March, 1858, whose diploma he holds. 

The Doctor was married to .Miss Jane Ann Jos- 
lin, Sept. 23, 1846. She is the daughter of George 
Joslin, now deceased. He and his good wife are the 
parents of four children — Marietta. Ruth E., Burnice 
S. aud Benjamin E. MariclUi is the wife of William 
A. Sheap, of Terre Haute, Ind., and is the mother of 



» m '^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



•«»> 



437 



lliree cliildren — Lucy, Ina and Robert; Kulh is 
married Ui Lou Aruold, anil resides iii Knglewfxjd. 
111.; she is the uiothor of six children — Bessie, Bur- 
tou, (irace, Glenn. Koliert and .lennie. Burnice 
married Miss Mar}' E. Reed, and now lives in Granil 
Rnpids. Mich., and is the father of one child. Harry 
A.; Benjamin married Winnifred .I.Long; he lives 
in his native town, and is the father of two children 
— Charles and Don P. 

The D(»clur never seeks any office, as the accej)!- 
ance of anj* public duty would interfere materially' 
with the practice of his chosen professi(jn. of which 
he is a devoted disciple, honestly believing that the 
jirinciples enunciated in his chosen school of medi- 
cine are the only correct ones. He is proud of his 
family, all of whom hold high places in the social 
life of the various neighborhoods in which they live. 
He has a large conception of the value of education, 
and of the great lienetits derived by the country by 
virtue of the intelligence of the people, and from 
the time he settled in White Pigeon to the present 
he has tJiken a deep and abiding interest in the wel- 
fare and success of the schools. He has been Chair- 
man of the School Board fur forty years, and is 
Presiilent of the Village Board of Trustees. His 
granddaughter Be.ssie was taken bj' him in infancy, 
and lias assumed the name of our subject instead of 
Arnold. She tills the place of daughter in the home 
circle anil life of our subject and his good wife. 

LVLCOTT C. CAKPF.NIKR. one of the forc- 
es most lawyers of .Southern .Michigan, has his 
pV>ce of business in Sturgis. where he is ex- 
tensively <'nirage<l a.* an attorney and collecting 
agent. His father. Younglove ('. Carpenter, was well 
known a.s a sturdy pioneer of St. .lose))h County, 
coming here as early as the year lH.Tr> with his 
wife and children from Delaware County. N. Y.. 
.settling among the Indians and wild animals that 
then infestiHl the primeval forests of Mendon 
'I'ownsliip and the surrounding country. Our sub- 
ject wa.s but an infant when his i)arents thus 
plante<l a home in the wilderness, and he has a dis- 
tinct recolU'<'tion of the pioneer scenes amid which 
his pioneer d.i^'S were jjassed ; of the deej), centuries 
4* 



old forests tliat surrounded the clearing where his 
father had built a log cabin, and of the deer, 
wolves, bears and other wild animals that nuide 
their home among those trees; and he also remem- 
bers the aboriginal sons of the forest who used to 
visit his parents to beg and tr.vle. 

Our subject is derived of good New England 
stock, his father having been a native of Connec- 
ticut, and liis mother, whose maiden name was 
Klioda .Sabini, was born in Massachusetts. They 
reared a family of nine children, four of whom are 
living besides our subject, namely: Sarah, now 
Jlrs. Worcester, of Orinnell. Iowa; Elizabeth. .Mrs. 
Howard, of California; Lucetta L., Mrs. Howard, 
of California; Maria T.. Mrs. Pctorman. of Marcel- 
lu.s. .Midi. 

Our subject received the advantages of a fine 
eilucation in the best literary institutions in Michi- 
gan, taking ii thorough course in the literary de- 
partment of the Normal .School at Ypsilanti. and 
two years in the literary department of the ^liclii- 
gan I'niversity. at .\nu .\rbor, with an additional 
year in the law department of the world-renowned 
I'niversity at Ann Arbor, leaving there in the 
si)ring of IHfil. The education that he thus se- 
cured was the result of his own exertions, as he 
had to ilepenil on his own resources for the means 
of going through school. He was an ambitious, 
high-sj)irited youth, whose intense desire for learn- 
ing, he having inherited a viirorous mentality from 
an intelligent New I'-nglan<l ancestry. <)vercanie 
every obstacle thereto. While in college he sawed 
wimmI for a living a part of the time. bo.-irdiuL; him- 
self and living on mush an<l milk for months at a 
time. He also worked in Prof. Wincliell's garden, 
and asop|iortnnity olTi-red taught school. lie taught 
at Cuba and at Ipava. in Fulton County. 111., from 
18.")7 until IHGO. and also taught winter .sessions in 
Bloonifleld Township district .si'IkmiI. Oakland. 
Mich., before entering the Cniversity and after 
leaving Ypsilanti. .\fter his graduation from the 
law school Mr. Car|K-nter entered the law ollice of 
the Hon. Henry F. Severns. read a short time willi 
him. and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 
IHGl. He remaine<l in Mr. Severns' ollice a few 
months longer, and tlu-n came to Sturgis in the 
same year. and went into the ollice of the Hon. 



-•► 



i~ 




" ^ i . » 



438 



ST. .lOSEPlI COUNTY. 



Willinm I.. Stoiiirliton. who .subseiiuciitly went into 
1 111' army :iik1 iK'faiiie a (General, leavinjj our !-iili- 
ject in elmrge of hi.* lui.-iine.-'s. Mr. {'arpeiitiT has 
ever siiK'O been a resident of this town, and has 
liuilt uj) a larije practice. 

.I,niu;ii\ 1. lH(i;?.oiirsiihjecl was married in Cuba. 
111., to Helen M. Whitney. She is ri (hniirliter of 
Nathan 1{. and Kstlier \\ hitney. then of Cuba. 111. 
Mr. anil .Mrs. Carpenter are the parents of three 
chihlren — l<»hn II.. Ella L. and Carrie I., .lohn is 
Station Agent at Stryker. Ohio. All are grarluates 
of the Sturgis High .School. 

Our subject is regarded a.> one of the most emi- 
nent members of the bar now practicing in this part 
of the .state, his [M'ofound knowledge of jurispru- 
dence and his success in the courts justifying this 
lielief. He has held some of the most resjjonsible 
legal (jttices with great distinction. He was Cir- 
cuit Court Commissioner for six years. Prosecut- 
ing .\ttornpy for four years. an<I lias held local 
otliccs. He is a leading memlier of the Masonic 
fr.atcrnity. and has taken the degrees of Knight 
Templar and of K. of I'. 

Mr. Car|)ent<'r and hi^ excellent wife belong to 
the Jiaptist Church. In him the l{ei)ublican part^' 
has a devoted adherent, who slrimgly supports its 
policy by voice anil vote. 



'-^-^i^Vt^i^rT^'^-^ 



'S[()ll.\ .1. I).V\ IS. St. .Joseph County has 
within her borders numerous enterprising 
men. who in an early day came in to 
(^^// ••lengthen her conls and strengthen her 
stakes." and prominent among them is ft)unil the 
name uf the subject of this sketch, who is now a 
resident of White Pigeon, where he is engageil in 
business :us a grain and produce dealer. He was 
liDrn in .Marblctuun. T Ister Co.. N. V.. .luly IM. 
l.'^KI. His fatliei. .lacob Davis, was a native o( 
the same eoiinty. and was a deseend.'nit from a 
well-known Holland family. The mother was 
Cornelia Tack, who was also a native of I'lster 
County. They were the parents of four chihlren. 
of which number our subject is the oidy >urvivor. 
The father and two of the sisters. .Sarah A. and 
.Maigaret .V.. died in Se|ileniber. IH:\H. The third 



sister. Mary, w.is married to Cornelius C. New- 
kirk. :uid at her death was the mother of four 
children: Cornelius; .Sarah, who is Mrs. IJesel. and 
resides in LaCrosse. Wis.: Emma and .Mary. The 
mother of our sidiject died some time in the .seven- 
ties, over eighty years of age. 

^Ir. Davis married Louisa Kerr in .September. 
1811. .She was a daughter of John Kerr. Her 
father is now dead. ^Ir. and Mrs. Davis are tlu' 
parents of one child. Hevlett .1. Davis, now the 
trusted agent of the United .States Express Company 
at .South Heiid. Ind. He married JHss Lottie 
Hhoades. and is the father of three chihlren : Charlie. 
Gail .and Lorene. Mrs. Davis died in 1H4G. Mr. 
Davis married >Iary Howman in October. 18;')2. She 
is a daughter of .lohn Howman. a native of York- 
shire. England, where he died. -Vfter his death 
the Miiiilicr emigrated with her family to America. 

Our >ubject and his second wife were the parents 
t)f :i family of eight children, four of whom are 
living, namely : Nettie. .Sarah C. Emma M. and 
.lohn . I.. .Ir. Nettie is the wife of Fred Hotchin. 
and is the mother of one child. .Jennie; they reside 
in White Pigeon. Sarah is the wife of .1. Wesley 
.Siegel. :ind resides in Three Rivers. Mich.; Emnni 
'SI. is the wife of Fr.ank Tr.icy; she is the mother 
of one child. Anna Marliea; they reside in Sturgis. 
Mich. After a long and tedious illness, which 
she bore with remarkable fortitude. Mrs. Davis 
died in .I:inu;iry. \Si;x. 

One ye:u- prior to the death of his wife our 
subject sold his farm and engaged in his present 
business, whiih he has zealously prosecuted up to 
this time. He is widely known as an honest, 
straightforward man. and is a sjilendiil example 
of wliMi ni;iy be accomplished bj- energy and close 
applic.'ition to business. He may w-ell consider 
himself one among the pioneers who have been 
instrumental in opening to civilization and bring- 
ing to its present high state of advanct-ment the 
original wild country comjjrised within the bor- 
ders of this county. Coming here in 1 «."{('> he 
settled on a farm one mile east of town, which at 
that time was the oidy trading-post within the 
county. .V larger amount of business w.is d<»ne 
then than now. :ls all trading was concentrated at 
this point. One tirm. Kellog ik Bros.. eni|)loyed 



,t 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



439 



eifjht or ten clerks in their store constantly. There 
were other firms transacting business who were 
almost as extensively interested. 

.Mr. Davis beloiitrs to that large class of iiilt'lli- 
fjent anil enterprising jjeople who came into Michi- 
gan from New York ami the New Kngland .States 
(luring its pioneer i)erioil. and who have been 
.Mich important factors in developing, to such a 
high degree the resources which Nature has so 
generously lavislied upon the State. This element 
hiis contributed so vastly to the development of 
the material resource.^ of the country that it to- 
day takes a front rank as a prtxhieing section of 
the country, and it has stood as a champion of an 
enlarged and elevated civilization and education, 
and no one man has contributctl more to bring 
about this desirable state than our subject. Al- 
though not a member of any church. Mr. Davis 
contriliutes largely to the sujiport of the Presby- 
terian Church. His views on all questions are 
extremely liberal. Both his wives were members 
of the Presbyterian Church, earnest and zealous 
in the profession and practice of their faith. His 
son John is a member of the firm of Bracken A- 
Davis. general merchants of White Pigeon; they 
make a s|jecialty of dry goods and groceries. 

Our sviliject steadily declines all official honors, 
preferring to act independently sis he may deem it 
projjer for the best interests of White Pigeon, to 
the present prosperity of which he h.as contrib- 
uted so much and with which he is so thfiroughlv 
identified. He is proud of his family, all the sur- 
viving members of which reflect the greatest credit 
and honor on their parents. 



KOF. SHKHIDAN (^SBON. Sui>erintendent 
of the schiMils of .St. Joseph County. Mich.. 
is an honorable, learned man, an able edu- 
I \ cator, an influential citizen of Sturgis. 
where he makes his home, and as such, it affords 
us great pleasure to place a brief record of his life 
before the numerous readers of this Biook.vpiiicai. 
Ai.iUM. He is a native-born citizen of this .State, 
his birth having occurreil in .sturgis, ( )ct. .'{. 1M12. 




(2d), was born in Painesville, Ohio, Aug. 3, IKll. 
He remained in his native State until ready to estab- 
lish himself in life, when he joined the tide of emi- 
gration that was flowing into the unsettled portions 
of the Peninsula State, and in 1838 became a pio- 
neer of St. Joseph County, engaging for several 
years in the mercantile business in .Sturgis. He re- 
mained an esteemed and honored resident of the 
place until his death, which occurred March il, 
1870. He w.as an enterprising, conscientious busi- 
ness man, and performed efficient service in aiding 
the growth and development of his adopted town. 
He married Miss Cornelia H. Hawes, a native of 
Hamilton, Ohio, born April 14, 1821, who still 
resides in .Sturgis, She bore him seven children, 
of wliom two only are now living, Henry H. and 
Sheritlan. One son. Prank, was a soldier in the 
I'nion .^rmv during the late Uebellion, and died 
fi'om (lise.ise contracted during the service. 

.Sui)erintendent Osbon, of this sketch, was reared 
and received the rudiments of an excellent edu- 
cation at Sturgis. having been gra<luated from its 
High .School in 18.')H. He subsequently attended 
the Agricultural College at Lansing. Mich., com- 
pleting the soi)lioniore year in 18.');i. The ensuing 
.year our subject, imbued with a strong desire to 
see life in sonic of its rougher aspects, visited the 
Western mining regions, and as an active worker in 
one of the gold mines, proved himself, at the youth- 
ful age of seventeen years, fully adequate to combat 
all the obstacles to be met with in the typical min- 
ing camp. He was not. however, sufficiently en- 
chanted with the life there to st.ay many months, 
anil returned home to take up the profession of 
teaching, and for live years tjiught with eminent 
8ucce.>'s in .Mongo. Ind. In 18(;(; Prof. Oslion fur- 
ther pursued his studies at HillMlale College, com- 
pleting the junior year, and in 18(57 and 18(58 ttjok 
charge of the schools at Muir. Mich. From that 
time until 1877 Superinten<lent Osbon gave his 
time and attention to farming on a tract of land 
near Sturgis. tlnis utilizing the knowledge of scien- 
tific farming gained at the .\grieultural College. 
In .September of th.nt year, receiving an urgent call 
to take charg<> of the educational institution of 
Mongo. Lagrange Co.. Inil.. he gave up his ajrri- 



The father of our subject. (Jeorge W. Oslxm : cultural works and ilevoted himself to the improve- 



-^» 



!'^r*-^ 



>^f^ 



^^►Hl-* 



440 



.ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



inent of the schools of that place, remaining there 
three _vears. In the meantime he organized a Higli 
Seliool in Mongo that was second to none in that 
part of the State, and tiiat his successful labors 
were appreciated is amply shown l\v his having 
received a call for two consecuti ve seasons to take 
the iirincipalsliip of the summer Normal Institute, 
held at the county seat. In 1880 the Professor 
accepted the principalship of the Sturgis schools, 
but after teaching one year was promoted to the 
superintendency^ of the city schools, an ofHce in 
which he served with signal al>ilitv until 1887, 
when he resigned to accept his |)resent position as 
County Superintendent of Schools. During his 
professional career the Superintendent has taught 
in all grades, from the lowest to the highest, and 
the experience thus gained, and the knowledge of 
what a school ought to be. has well fitted him for 
his present duties. IJeing a gentleman of polish 
and culture, an excellent organizer, and tiiorouglily 
conversant with the most approved Normal meth- 
ods in use. he has won an enviable reputation as a 
scholar, an educator, and supervisor, and his man- 
agement of the county schools is above criticism. 

Prof. Osbon was united in marriage, in Sturgis. 
Sept. -24, 1809, to Miss Adaline C. daughter of 
Andrew and Pliillip|)ine (Schoneberger) Negle, 
both natives of (Germany. !Mrs. Osbon w.as born 
in Europe in 1849. 



-S- 



^<^ 



-5- 



?RANK W. NOKTIIROP. The present com- 

.. ™, mercial importance and prosperity of White 
/li Pigeon are unquestionalily due to the wis- 

dom, foresight and enterprise of her merchants,and it 
is a fitting tribute to tiiose who have so honorably 
distinguished themselves in the couiniercial arena, 
th.at their names and successful career should be 
commemorated among those of the leading men in 
all branches of commerce. It is a fact worthy of 
consideration that nearly all of our prominent 
business men have strugirled up to their command- 
ing positions and foremost places in l)usiiiess from 
a dark obscurity. As a representative of this class 
we present the following brief outline of one who 
has won. unaided, the leading position he holds to- 



day among the merchants of this city, where he is 
engaged in the sale of hardware, stoves and tin- 
ware, as well as in all the late imi)roved agricult- 
ural implements. 

This gentleman w:ls born in Warrensville, 
Cuj-ahoga Co., Ohio, Sept. 5, 1856. He is the 
son of Charles II. Northrop. The father is a direct 
descendant of one of five brothers who came to 
America from Wales at a very early day. Thej' 
are noted for their longevity. His mother was 
Caroline (Smith) Northrop; she died in 1866. 
After her death Frank lived among strangers, 
being obliged virtually to support himself. lie 
learned the tinner's trade with George C'huir at 
Berrien Springs, Mich., where he went to work 
when he was seventeen years old. After he had 
completed his apprenticeship he came to White 
Pigeon in June, 1877, and %vorked for six years for 
J. II. Watson it Bro. After he h.ad worked three 
years for .Messrs. Watson he went, in the fall of 
1880, to Michigan City. Ind.; in the spring of 1883 
he returned, and again entered the employ of the 
Messrs. Watson, where he remaineil three years 
longer. 

Our subject bought his present store building 
Feb. 1, 1886, and established his present flourishing 
business on the slender capital of %600. By close 
attention and his stric-t. unswerving integrity he 
has been prospered, so that now he carries a stock 
worth $3,000, and transacts a business the sales 
from which exceed §15.000 per annum. No 
merchant in tiie city stands higher in reputation, 
or has higher r.ating of credit, compared with the 
amount of cai)ital invested, than ^Ir. Northrop. 
When he began business for himself he knew that 
if success attended the venture there was but one 
way to m.ake it so. and that way was to adopt as a 
rule of action in all cases ab.solute truth and 
honesty. These principles he has made his guide, 
and the results olitained prove conclusively tliat 
his line of rea.-ioning is correct. 

Mr. Northrop was marrie<l to Miss Katie Mar- 
shall. May 5. 1880. She is the daughter of Abra- 
ham S. Marshall, one of the earliest settlers in 
Mottville Township. They have liecome the parents 
of two children. Alcne and Harry, both very 
bright and intelligent children, who bid fair in 



ST. .lOSKPII COUNTY. 



441 , i 



years to come to lie a source of comfort and en- 
joyment to tlu'ir parents. Mrs. Northrop is one 
of those women who may l>e considereil as tlie salt 
of the earth; ijenerous and kind-hearted, she takes 
a le.adiiifj part in any and all matters that have for 
their object tiie material i:<M)d of the many 
unfortunates who surround us in life. 

Our subject began his life under exceedingly 
adverse circumstances. Left at the tender age of 
ten years to provide for himself, he has had a con- 
stant struggle from that time up to the day he be- 
gan business for himself. To those who arc born 
to weallli. ."iccustimied to having every want antici- 
pated and supplied without exertion on their part, 
the circumstances surrounding the early life of our 
subject are unknown, and cannot lieappreciatetl by 
any save those who have traveled the same rough 
way. The education he was able to obtain was 
secured in a disjointed, rambling manner, but with 
will anil determin.ation to succeed he lost no oppor- 
tunity of adding to the knowledge gained by 
ob.servation and stufly. lie is a close observer of 
men anrl events, and to-day he possesses a large 
fund of ])ractical knowledge, and r.anks among the 
intelligent and thinking class of people. His busi- 
ness has increased very rapidly, and he is now 
doing the largest trade in his line in the southern 
part of .St. .loseph t'ounty. Himself and wife are 
members of the Methodist Kpiscoijal Church. lie 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has ob- 
tained the Chapter degrees of that society. 



^=^KOH(;i-: FOIST. The farm of our subject, 
jlj ^=^ consisting of 2(i(l acres on section 2;5. Fk)wer- 
^^^Jj tiehl Township. lia> been nicely improved and 
is the source of a lucrative income, while it is 
ndorned with ne.-it and well-arranged buildings, and 
the tields are sepjirated into con\'enicnt size by rows 
of gcKKl fencing. Mr. Foust is entitled to his share 
of jiublic honors, which is the ju.-t due of all early 
settlers, who have endured the hard.-hips and trials 
incident to pioneer life and prepared the way that 
tliose who came after nnght enjoy the fruits of 
their industry. 

Mr. Foust comes of an ancestry successful in life. 



honorable in career and heroic in national loyalty. 
He names Montour County, Pa., as the place of his 
I birth, the date thereof being July 8, 1827, His 
parents were .lohn an<l Mar}- (Iloats) Foust, natives 
of the Keystone .State, and both p.'issed away in 
Park Township, the father aged eighty-four years 
and the mother lifty-six. .John Foust, .Sr., grand- 
father of our subject, cjime with his son and grand- 
son, our subject, to this State, and died at the 
advanced age of ninety -eight years, 

'Mv. Foust of whom we write wjis the tifth child 
in order of birth of liis parents' family of six chil- 
dren. In common with his brothers and sisters he 
attended the district school, and in the fall of 1847 
migrated to this county with his parents, locating 
on section 18, Park Township. He lias always been 
engaged as an agriculturist, and is identified with 
the various interests and projects that have been 
formed for the benefit of the community and ad- 
vancement of its surroundings. The social quali- 
ties that make our subject .«o popular, his genial, 
affable manner, supin)rtcd by his strong force of 
character and strict business integrity, combine to 
make him one of the most prominent and worthy 
citizens, whose place of residence in his community 
is so eminently satisfactory and enjoyable. 

( ieorge Foust w.is married in Three Rivers to Jliss 
Polly, tiaughter of (ieorge and Hannah Rorniig. the 
wedding being celebrat'Cd in November, 1858. .Mrs. 
Foust was born in Snyder County, Pa.. Dec. 2;i. 
1844, Their union has been blessed with five chil- 
dren, one of whom died in infancj'. Those sur- 
viving are: William A., who was born July 19. 
18G3. and took for his wife Jliss Lilly Ryan; they 
are at present residing in Flowerfield, and are the 
parent-* of two children — Kena and an infant. 
Klizabeth. born May 17. 186(;; .\ddie, June 23, 
1870, Mild Luciiia. April ',1. 1878. are at home with 
their parents. 

The grandfather of our subject did good service 
as a soldier in the Revolutionary AVar. I>eing one 
of the very first to resi)ond to the call for volun- 
teei>. In all matters of |>olitical interest .Mr. Foust 
is inclined to take his stand with the Democratic 
party, but never at the expense of principle. He is 
a friend of good morals and anxions to do all in 
Ills power as a citizen to forward the iiighest 



-v 



•> k <• 



•^^^^ 



■•► 



442 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



interests of the county. Mrs. Foust is a consistent 
memlier of the German Reform Church. Botli her- 
self and husband are prominent in local societj- 
and are gladly welcomed to the best circles thereof. 
They are identified witli the various interests and 
projects that have been formed for tlie benefit of 
the community and adv.incement of its surround- 
ings. As regards honor and social virtue, they 
occupy as high a place as any in the county. 



ly famil 



EWIS RIIOADE.*^. Among the prominent, 
jj, successful and enterprising n)en residing 
^ within the limits of this county, there are 
none more favorably and well known than our sub- 
ject. He has been a resident of the count}- from 
the earliest Territorial days, and is now engaged in 
buying grain and stock in White Pigeon. He was 
born in Monroe County, Mich., Nov. 26. 1820, 
and is tlie son of Orrin Khoades, a native of Gen- 
esee Count}'. N. Y., who came to Monroe Count}-, 
Mich., in 1795. He was a farmer bj' occupation, 
which pursuit he followed on a well-located farm 
two miles east of While Pigeon, where he lived 
until Feb. 22, 1832, the daj'of hisde.ath. He took 
an active part as a soldier in the War of 1812. 

The mother of our subject was Eueretia (Lewis) 
Rhoailes. She was the daughter of Silas Lewis, one 
of the early settlers of Mt>nroe County. The |)ar- 
ents reared a family of seven children, who were 
named: Rebecca (Murr.iy), Knima (Russell). Cy- 
rene (Reynolds), Clarissa (Creelman). Orrin, Lou- 
isa, and Lucretia, the mother of our subject, who 
died in 18C0. The uncle of our subject, Silas 
Lewis, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Our sub- 
ject was the eldest son and third child in his father's 
famil}'. In his earlier years he attended the sub- 
scription schools that were taught in the log cabins 
of the time. 

Our subject and .Sarah Ruiiynn were married 
April 4, 1844. She is the daughter of Hon. Phil- 
lip E. and Priscilla (Brush) Runyan. Her parents 
came to this county from Buffalo, N. Y., in 183;'), 
and settled in White Pigeon Township. The lady 
was horn in Geneva, N. Y.. and she was one of a 
family of nine children, four of whom are living. Her 



sister Priscilla. now Mrs. Barker, and her brothers 
Casper and Phillip, all live in this township. Her 
father was elected in the fall of 1842 to the Legis- 
lature, which then met in Detroit. In his journey 
to that city he was five days on the way. A por- 
tion of the distance was by stage, another portion 
of it was made on a freight train, which traveled at 
the rate of two miles per hour, and a portion was 
made by a lumber wagon. 

When our subject came to this county it was in 
a wagon drawn by oxen. They followed the old 
Detroit and Chicago Indian trail. When they ar- 
rived where they now live there was but one house 
where the town of White Pigeon now stands. In 
the year 1830 the town began growing, until it has 
reached its present fair proportions. The nearest 
point at which they could secure flour or meal was 
the mill at Niles; the first corn cracker in this 
county was built in Constantiue, in the fall of 1830. 
It was oiierated by water power, which was applieil 
by a water-wheel of very primitive and crude con- 
struction. A horizontal shaft extended from the 
mill over the water; the outer end of the shaft was 
provided witli padilles, which projected down into 
an<l below the surface of the water, and, the current 
pressing against the paddles, caused the shaft to 
revolve. 

During these years Mr. Rhoades became .ic- 
quainted with many Indians, who at that time were 
very numerous. They caused no special trouble, 
excepting that arising from the natural proclivity 
of an Indian to steal anything that is loose, although 
the white settlers often became scared. Religious 
services were held in the private houses. The 
building that is now used as a cart factorv w-as 
built in 1833 by the Presbyterians, and used by 
them for many years as a church. The steeple on 
this house was the first one built west of Tecumseh. 
The first school-house ever erected here was sold to 
make way for a larger building, and was purch.ased 
by.Ios. Cloyes, our subject afterward purchasing it. 
and a portion of the timbers he has used in con- 
structing his iH-esent barn. 

Our subject and his good wife are the parents of 
three children — Lottie, Charley and one dead. Lot- 
tie is now married to Hulett J. Davis, the trusted 
agent of the Uuitcfl .States Express Company, at 



T* 



>»• ■ ■<»■ 



ST. JOSEPH roUNTY. 



••► 



4i:; ',' 



South Beixl. Ind.; she is tlic mother of three chil- 
dren — Charley. (Jail and Larene. Our siihject's 
son t'harley is now a student in the Chieago Art 
Institnle. and gives great promise of future success. 
Mrs. Ulioades is a valued member of the Presby- 
terian Church, and Utkes an active interest in all 
matters pertaining to the religious welfare of the 
neighborhood. 

.Mr. Rhoades is Justice of the Pe.icc, wliich ollice 
he has filled for the last eleven years, and h.as at 
divers times filleil man\' of the minor offices in his 
township. lie is noted as having the most re- 
tentive memory of any of the many old settlers in 
the countj'. Having been born within its limits 
when the Territory was in its infancj', he has been in a 
position to know all of the hardships and privations 
to which the pioneers in a new countr3' are subject, 
and has been identified in a prominent manner 
with the advancement of the county. He possesses 
a good education, and has watched the march of 
events for the last half-century, which he is able 
to graphically describe to the willing listener. 



ROF. JOSEPH O. PLOW.MAN is the Prin- 
1/ cii)al of the While Pigeon schools, which 




t 



■^ he conducts on tlir latest and most ap- 
proved Normal method. This gentleman 
is one of the most energetic, pushing citizens resi- 
dent in White Pigeon: in addition to his duties ns 
Princi|)al t>f the schools, he is Secretary and Treas- 
urer of the Cyclone Fanning Mill Company, a 
verj- prosfjcrous inslitutiiui ; he also has a financial 
interest in the .Sultan Carl Company, which lat- 
ter concern Is manufacturing a lini' of goods which 
are in growing demand. 

This gentleman was l)orri In Ionia County, Mich., 
Oct. 9, 1846. His father. John Gee, was a native 
of New York ; he is now deceased. The mother 
was Caroline (Haddock) Oee. .She was born in 
Buffalo, N. Y., and died when our subject was a 
babe. The Professor's name was originally Gee, 
but after his mother's death he was adopted by 
John N. Plowman, and as a cons«'quence he as- 
sumed the name of his foster father. His early 
education was received in the common school near his 



home, and he was graduated In 18G7 from the State 
Normal School at Y|>silnnti. After he left the 
Normal School he w.is In charge as Principal of the 
Central .School building in Bittle Creek, Mich., for 
three years. In 1S70 he left the latter city and 
came to White Pigeon, where he has since lived, 
and has had charge of the schools here for nineteen 
consecutive years. Iieing the longest time which any 
Principal in the State has had charge of one school. 

The Professor made the larger part of the de- 
signs for the new school building, which was Itullt 
herein 1872. It is a large modern building, con- 
taining six schools, including the Professor's room. 
The s3-stem of ventilation Introduced into this 
building is upon a scientific basis, and its adoi)tlon 
w!»s largely due to him. The school is supplied 
with a library, cabinets of geology, organ and piano, 
and diflferent apparatus used for illustrating the 
studies of anatomy, geography, mathematics and 
astronomy. Everything connected with the school 
is reduced to a system, which is followed out to the 
smallest detail. The scholars in the Professor's 
room march to and from their different recitation 
rooms in perfect order, keeping step to martial 
music played on the piano by one of the pupils. 
The building is heated throughout liy the "Ruttan" 
system. 

.Many of the improvements which add to the 
cleanliness and comfort of the school room are the 
results of the Professor's ingenult}'. The remova- 
ble chalk r.ick, of which he is the in venter, obviates 
entirely the disagreeable and unhealthy dust arising 
from the use of cr.ayons on the blackboard, the use 
of which Is a boon to both teacher and pupil. It 
unquestionably should be adopted by the school 
oHicers of ever}- school in the country. 

.Mr. Plowman was married to Miss Ida Munson, 
April 5, 18G9. She is the daughter of Charles H. 
and Jane L. (West) .Munson. The ladj-'s father is 
now deceased, losing his life In the array during the 
Rebellion : he was a member of the Michigan En- 
gineer Corps. The mother lives with her daughter. 
Our subject and his wife are the parents of two 
children — Jessie and Grace. The former is now 
deceased. The Professor stands high In the estima- 
tion of the people of White Pigeon and vicinity, 
both as an able instructor, and an enterprising an<l 



■<^ 



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444 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



4~ 



valuable citizen. The two business enterprises re- 
ferred to in the bei^inniu;; of this sketch owe their 
success to n <jreat extent to him. Tiie Fanning 
Jlill Company was organized in 1886; they liave a 
series of new and valuable patents on which to base 
their claim for a share of public patronage. The 
com])any is doing a large and increasing business 
and virtually has no competition. The Cart Com- 
pany is doing an immense business, the demand for 
their goods exceeding the com|>any's capacity to 
supply them. 

I'rof. Plowman was a member of the County 
Board of School Examiners four years, when he was 
unanimously re-elected, liut resigned. He isa mem- 
ber of tiie .Methodist Episcopal Church, stands high 
intlie .Masonic fraternity of the town, and in politics 
he is Republican. Both himself and wife are the life 
and spirit of the social circle in which they move; 
every proposeil enterprise having for its purpose any 
good and laudable end linds in them hearty support 
and .assistance. 

-i^m- 

Vff^ AVH) L. FLANDERS, M. I)., the eele- 
]' jji brated physician and surgeon of Stur- 
yj t'^ gis. is the original inventor and proprietor 
^^'^^ of Fliinders' DitTusible Tonic, a well-known 
and valuable remedy for typhoid fever, it being the 
only positive cure for that dread disea.se ever dis- 
covered, and it has also proved an absolute cure 
in evcr% case of j-ellow fever to which it lias been 
applied. 

Dr. Flanders is a native of New Hampshire, born 
in Coos County. Feb. 25. 1824. His paternal 
grandfather. Ezekiel Flanders, was a soldier in the 
Revoluliunary War, having enlisted when only 
sixteen years of age. and served eight yeai-s. Francis 
Flanders, deceased, the father of our subject, 
inherited a p.itriotic spirit from his progenitor, and 
fought for the defense of his country in the War of 
1812. He moved with his family from New Hamp- 
shire to New York in 1828 and settled in Ontario 
County, where he lived for many j'ears. For further 
parental history see sketch of the Hon. J. W. 
Flanders, brother of our subject. 

He of whom we write was four years of age when 
he accompanied his parents to New York, where he 

4* 



was educated, attending first the district schools of 
Canandaigua. and subseciucntly supjilementing that 
education at the iicarlemy. In 1841 he came with 
his parents to Michigan, where lie continued his 
education still further, and in 18.');* commenced the 
practice of medicine in Newberg, Cass County, 
remaining there four years. In 18(53 Dr. Flanders 
moved to Mottville. St. .loseph County, and after 
practicing his profession there for five years, came 
to Sturgis, and remained here until 1871. The 
ensuing two years he sjient in Vandalia. Ca.<s 
County, returning tlience to Sturgis. In 1877, 
desiring a new field of labor, our subject moved to 
Iowa, and established himself .as a jiractitioner in 
Maquoketa, where he met >vith much success. 
Besides attending to his professional duties, Dr. 
Flanders continued his experimental work, which 
he had commenced while in Michigan, and after 
man}' years of trial he has succeeded in obtain- 
ing a compound which is an absolute cure for 
tj-phoid or yellow fever, having been used with 
complete success in over 500 cases of the former, 
and proved an infallible remedy in every febrile 
disease in which it has been tried. In October, 
1888, during the presence of yellow fever in Jack- 
sonville, Fla.. Dr. Flanders visited the afflicted city 
and used his medicine with most beneficial results, 
curing every patient that tried his tonic. In 1886 
Dr. Flanders returned from Iowa to Sturgis. and 
in March, 1888. under the laws of ^Michigan, formed 
a stock comp.any for the m.anufacture of his 
medicine, which is in great demand among those 
who are aware of its elGcacy. and the coiniianv is 
doing a pros|DeroHS business. 

The marriage of Dr. Flanders with Miss Julia 
A. Chandler was solemnized at Maijuoketa. Iowa, 
June 14, 1852. Mrs. Fl.anders is a daughter of 
Gen. Samuel Chandler, a patriot who served in the 
War of 1812, and afterward, during the Canadian 
rebellion, was taken prisoner in Canada and con- 
demned. His sentence w.as. however, commuted 
to banishment to Van Diemen's Land, but after 
living there two years, he escaped in a Yankee 
whaling vessel, and again became an honored 
resident of the I'nited States. He w.-is at one time 
possessed of much wealth, but subsequently lost 
nearly all his property. To Dr. and Mrs. Flanders 




•4^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



445 




\ 



h.ive been horn tliroo cliildreii, two of whom are 
.still livinj);. Fraiici.s W. .nnd Mary Kmiim Smith, of 
Wall Lake. Iowa. Frauri.s. a resident of .Stiir<;is. 
married Miss Knima Dishrow, anil they have two 
children — .John .S. and Leola. 

Dr. Flanders is a man of strong intellectual 
viijor antl good business capacity, lie occupies an 
excellent jKisition in the community as an honor- 
able and upright citizen, liberal and benevolent in 
his ways, and he has done an inestimable service to 
suffering humanity through the discovery of his 
imiK)rtant medical compound. Mrs. F'landers is an 
esteemed member f)f the Methodist F|)iscopal 
Church. 

H. S.VMIKL R. HOBIN.SON. The sub- 
ject of this personal sketch is a physician 
and surgeon, .is well as the esteemed Post- 
m.tster of White Pigeon. He has l)een one 
of the highly respected citizens of the cit}' since 
•Ian. 2.'). 18«l.on which date he settled in this com- 
munity. Since that time he h.as. by a life devoted 
to his profession, and a consistent, straightforward 
course, challenged the respect and won the adniir.i- 
tion of his fellowmen. This gentleman is a native 
of Indiana, and was born in Allen County, March 
2.-?. IH.ri. 

'I'lie Doctor is a son of .lonathaii Robinson, who 
was a native of Carroll County, Ohio. He moved 
t<» Allen County. Ind..in IMH. He died in February. 
1««1. The mother wsus .Sarah .). (Shatter) Robin- 
son; she died in June, 1886. The earlier years of 
the Doctor's life were siient on a farm with his 
parents. He attended the common schools of the 
neighborhood, the Butler High School and also the 
Chauncey (Ind.) Norm.il School. In March, 1«78, 
he graduated from the Columbus (( Ihio) Medical 
College, a student under Prof. John W. Hamil- 
ton, and then went to South Milffird. Lagrange 
Co.. Ind.. an<l entered into [wu-tnership with Dr. 
John Dancer, a practicing physician. 

This prtifi-ssional arrangement continued for 
eighteen months, when Dr. Robinson movetl to 
I.^range, Ind.. continuing in the practice of 
nie<licine. where he reside<l for ten months. During 
the time lie s)>ent in both pl.-UM's. South Milff)rd 



and Lagrange, he lectured two terms in the Ft. 
Wayne (Ind.) College of Medicine <m pathology 
and microscopy. Removing from Lagrange, we 
lind him located in White Pigeon as named above. 

.Vfter settling in the city the Doctor devoted 
himself most assiduously to the practice of his pro- 
fession, and conducted himself in such a manner as 
to speedily and thoroughly win the full confidence 
and esteem of the people among whom he had 
settled. A vacancy occurring in the post-office, he 
was appointed to fill that position Dec. 20, 1886, 
by President Cleveland. 

Our subject w.is married. Jan. !. 1879. to ^liss 
Fannie M. Smith, daughter of David Smith, of 
Lagrange. Ind. Her father is now deceased. Our 
subject and his wife are the jiarentsof four children 
—Lulu L.. Helen K., Dora A. and Robert L. The 
entire family circle presents the cinliodiment of a 
ple.asant home. 

The Doctor deserves great credit for the position 
he has won in the hearts of his neighbors and 
friends, not only as a physician and surgeon, but 
in holding the entire conlidence of the ]>eople whom 
he serves. 



V^^.VTHAN FRANK is one of the most enter- 
I /// pi'''''"g 'ind successful merchants in .Sturgis, 
/ll/fe or, indeed, in St. Joseph County. He is a 
dealer in clothing, hats, caps, furnishing goods, 
piece goods, woolen cossimeres, etc., carrying a full 
line of all these articles, .ind having the largest 
establishment of the kind in the county. He does 
a very large business, which is constantly increas- 
ing, the main reason for his enormous trade being 
l)ecause he sells the best class of goods at the lowest 
jirices, so as to astonish the most exacting pur- 
chasers or sejirchers after rare bargains. 

Mr. Frank wa.s born in the Netherlands, May 2, 
1H.')1. His ])arents, Simon and Lina Frank, were 
n,itivcs of the same country. Tlu'v emigrated to 
the I'nited States in 1860, and settled iu Kalamazoo, 
Mich., where the father died in the same year. 

Our subject w:is t-ducated in the Kalamazoo 
schools, and lived in that cit}- until Feb. 19, 1875, 
when he came to Sturgis and bought a half-interest 
in his present store, with S. Hirsh as partner. He 



i~ 



r^::^^^ 



■•»- 



446 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



-=»t> 



-^!l^ 



<tf*S?v 




^i^ 



)ENJAMIN F. FIELDHOUSE is a prosper- 
y ous livei'jnian and grain dealer, residing in 
i^vfcl)!) ^Vliite Pigeon, where he is doing a tin-iving 
^ Imsiness. He is a native of tliis county, in 
which he was born Sept. 14, 1839. He is the sou 
of William Fieldhouse, a native of Yorkshire, 
England, who came to America in 1835, and settled 
in the town of White Pigeon, where he lived until 
the S|)ring of 1840, when he bought a farm two 
miles south of town and moved to and operated it 
for a number of j-ears. He was a strong Union 
man during the war, and was a stanch Republican. 
He wiis a conscientious and consistent member of 
the Cliurch of theSecond Advent. He died in the 
village. iM.irch 30, 1882. 

Our subject resided on the farm with his father. 
and obtained his education by attending the com- 
mon schools and the academy in Wliite Pigeon. 
He has been very prosperous in his farming opera- 
tions, and has become the owner of 140 acres of 
well-improved land, which at this time is leased. 
He followed farming and stock-raising until 1886; 
he has been a resident in the town for the past nine 
years. The time since 1886 has been devoted ex- 
clusively to his livery and grain business, and both 
his business ventures have proved very successful. 



afterward bouglit the latter's interest in the busi- ' 
ness and the building in which he conducts it. | 

ilr. Frank w.as united in marriage to.AIiss .iennie 
:Meyers l^ec. 14, 1879. She is a daughter of Samuel 
Mevers, formerly the largest clothing merchant in 
(ioshen, Ind. Mrs. Frank was horn in Alliany. X.Y'.. 
Dec. 4, 1860. 

:Mr. and Jlrs. Frank have three bright and 
interesting children. Harry, Hattie and IJellc, and 
theirs is an attractive, happy home. 

Our suliject is a thorough l)usiness man, prompt 
and systematic in his methods, and always dealing 
squarely. His whole-souled generosity, his courteous 
and obliging manners, and his attempts to entertain 
and satisfy his customers, render him a general 
favorite. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. .ind of 
the I. O. P>. B.. the latter being a benevolent insti- 
tution. 



A\ hen he began buying stock for shipment there 
was a very jKjor market at White Pigeon for stock 
of an}- description, but owing to his efforts and 
square, straightforward manner of transacting 
business, he made the market of the town tlie Iiest 
for many miles around. 

( )ur subject is one of the most public-spirited 
citizens of the town, and takes a lively interest in 
all matters pertaining to the prosperity of the peo- 
jile. He was married to Miss Mary A. Swartz, Feb. 
2, IHfi'); lliislady is a daughter of Solomon Swartz, 
of Fairbury. .Jefferson Co., Neb. Mr. Field- 
house and his good wife are the parents of two 
children, one of whom is living. Flora E.. who is 
now teaching in tiic White Pigeon city schools and 
is veiy successful in lier chosen profession. Our 
subject is a member of the Baptist Church, has 
been a Trustee of the society for many years, was a 
Deacon for some time, but resigned; he is now 
Superintendent of the Snnday-school. He is a 
strong temperance man, .ind takes an active part 
in all religious and moral work. 

Mr. Fieldliouse has been a member of the .School 
Board for the past five j'ears. Willi this exception 
he has steadily refused to accept any position of 
official trust at the hands of his neighbors, although 
repeatedly requested to do so. All his life he has 
taken a greiit interest in educational matters. Ik- 
is public spirited, and is foremost among liis ncigli- 
bors in all plans designed to bestow any lasting 
benefit on the people about him. 



-^f^- 



IdllHS FOLWKl.L. Of the number of men 
; who have contributed largely to the ma- 
terial wealth and prosperity of White 
(^J Pigeon, the subject of our sketch has not 
done the least. He has been a resident for several 
j-ears. and has conducted his business, that of gen- 
eral blacksniithing, with great benefit to the town 
and prosperity to himself. He is the son of James 
and Elizabeth ^Davenport) Folwell. The father 
was of Welsh ancestry, and is now deceased; the 
mother was of English descent, and our subject, in 
his characteristics and peculiarities, possesses the 



■^^i-^ 



; 



-^•■ 



ST. .lOSKlMl COUNTY. 



44'i 



many lifood ((unlitios of hulli riict's. His fnthcrdied 
w lien In' w.'is very yuuii':, .Tfler wliicli lie lind to 
work liiird to assist in tlic sii|)])ort of the family. 

« )ur subject was l>oin in Holmes County. Ohio. 
No\-. .•?(!. 18'24. in wliicli State he lived until he 
reached his majority. Durini: the earlier years of 
his lioyhood he devoted what lime he eould take 
from his work to .-ieeurinjj an education, and hy 
dint of hard study lunl close a|i|ilication to liis 
hooks, and an umdlerable dcterndnation to succeed, 
he took a course of instruction in the N'erinillion 
Intitute. at Ilayesville. ( )liio. .\fter this he went 
to Lajrrange County, hid., in A|iril. 1M.')1: he 
worked at his trade of hlacksmithinii: in La<>r,injre 
County for two and one-h:df years. .Vt theencl of 
that time he removed to I,im:i. in the same count3', 
livinij there until 1867. lie learnwl his trade in a 
country shoji in his native county. 

.Mr. l-'olwell came to ^\■hite Pigeon March \2. 
1H67. and entered upon his busuie.ss. which he has 
steadily folloNve<l to the [iresent time. Jle was mar- 
ried, Oct. 2, l84;t. to Mary K. liennett, a dausrliter 
of Aquilla Bennett. Iler father is now dead. They 
are the parents of two chiUlren — Rufus II. and 
Cora K. Hiifus married .Vnna Helle Caseman; he 
is telci^raph operator and Station Aueut for the 
Lake .Shore iV: Michijran Southei'n Hailroiid. Kala- 
mazoo hrancli. at Flowerlield. in this county. 
Cora is now the wife of Prof. David A. Ham- 
mond, who is at jjresent Superintendent of the 
city schools in Charlotte. Katon Co.. Mich.: she 
is the mother of one son, Harry V... who is a very 
hrijrht lM>y. four years old. Before her niarriaife 
.she was a prominent and very successful teacher in 
White Pigeon and Bli.sstield. Mich. .She is not en- 
gaged in teaching at ]>re.<ent. as her househcdd 
duties wcupy her time to its fullest extent. 

The sul>je<-t of this sketch is deei)ly inten-sted in 
the .Ma.sonic fraterinty. He is connected with the 
Columbia Commandery at Sturgis, is a member of 
the .\. F. iV -V. M., nt White Pigeon, and has been 
.Ma.«ter of the loilge for some time, anil lie has 
also held other important offlces in the lodge. 

.Mr. Folwell is one of those enterprising, indus- 
trious, and at the same time una.ssuniing men. who 
possess an inherent force of character, which, 
without any great amount of loud talking, makes 




itself felt, and exerts a marked inHuence in all 
affairs in which they become interested. He is 
I favored with a good physical constitution, which 
he maintains by leading a life of strict sobriety. 
He combines strictness of moral principles with en- 
ergy and great decision of chai-acter; he is not h.asty 
to arrive at conclusions, but when he is determined 
ui)on any subject, he remains firm until good rea- 
sons for a change are given. .Mlhough he li.as fol- 
lowed a comparatively liiiinlile following, the 
inlluences of his life and example are indelible- 
stamped <ni the history of the town. He occupies 
a pleasant, comfortable home, nicely furnished, and 
it is the abode of contentment nii<l peace. 

t HS. ( L.M{.\ B. (lAHDNKH.. It gives us 
much pleasure toreconl in this BioiiifAPiii- 
(AL Ai.niM a brief sketch of the life of this 
estimable lady, i^he owns and occupies a 
handsome residence in .'^turgis. where she liius lived 
f<jr more thai} twenty years, enjoying the resjiectof 
those around her. called forth by her many g<io<l 
qualities of head and heait. 

Our subject wjus born in the town of Hatavia. 
Genesee Co., N. Y., ^larcli 18, 1818. Her parents 
were David R. and Sarah (Chapman) Coolev. na- 
tives of Springfield, Mass. They settled in New- 
York after marriage, but in the si>ring of 1837 
brought thei;- family to Michigan, and became 
pioneers of Branch County, settling in the town- 
ship of Sherwood. They had fifteen children, of 
whom our subject was the twelfth in order of 
birth. 

Mrs. (iardner pa.ssed her girllKKxl in her native 
State, and was nineteen years of age when she ac- 
companied her parents to their new- home in the 
wilds of Branch County. M that time Southern 
Michigan wjls sparsely .settled, although emigration 
from <ither States w.as in progress, but not enough 
settlers had conic in to alTccI the general w-ildness 
of the country, or to tr.-nisform the priine\'al 
forests, swamps or open prairies intosmiling farms, 
busy towns and jwpulous cities, so that this 
great change ha.* been brought al»out within her 



V 






J^ 



448 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



^•^^^tT^ 



remembrance and in part under her observation. 
On the 2Htli of .lune. 1841. her union with .lames 
Bisliop was solemnized. He was tlie son of Will- 
iam and Sybil (Ilurd) Bishop, and he was born in 
Dryden. Tom|)kins Co., N. Y., Oct. 27. IHHi. Of 
his mariiage with our subject four children were 
born, three of whom are living — Charles, Dellie 
and .lessie. Olney died in 1880, at the age of 
thirty -eight years; he married Kttie Ferguson, and 
they had one child, Clara, who is now Mrs. Howe, 
of La|)eer County, Mich.; Cliarles, a merchant, 
grain and live-stock dealer, of IJuchanau, Mich., 
married Delia Long, and the3' have one son. John; 
Dellie mai-ried Frank McCrary. of Chicago, and 
they liave one child, Zora; .lessie married Fred 
W. Shoecraft. the leader of the Sturgis band. 

Mr. Bishop was smitten with the gold fever, and 
bidding farewell to his little family, lie started for 
California overland witli tiie last ox-team tiain 
that crossed tlie plains in 181!(. He remaincil in 
the gold diggings until the fall of 18;jl, meeting 
witli fair success, and tlieu retraced his steps over 
the long and lonely way that separated him from 
his wife and children, with whom he was anxious 
to be reunited. On the way out to tlie Pacific I 
Coast his party had been attacked by the Indians. 
and two of his comrades were killed. Mr. Bishop 
■was wounded by a gunshot in the leg. and the ball 
remained in that limb until his death. After his 
decease our subject had his remains disinterred and 
brought to Sturgis for burial, and the ball was 
found among his bones, and is now In the posses- 
sion of his .son Charles. In the spring of 1852 Mr. 
and ISIrs. Bishop removed to Lconidas Townsliip, 
this county, and there ^Mr. Bisho]) died in 18()7. 

In 18(58 Mrs. Bishop moved to Sturgis, and has 
ever since been a resident of this town. Maj- 27, 
18fi;i. her marri.ngc with Bolscr B. (Jardner was con- 
summated. He wiw a native of \'irginiu. He had 
been previously married, and liad the following 
children by his lirst wife: IMkcIic. now Mrs. (iil- 
hams; I'eter; Adaline. now Mrs. Barker; Loretta, 
now Mrs. Cresler; Soph ronia. now Mrs. Smith, and 
Calvin B. Mr. (iardner departed this life Ajjril 
27. 187;). 

Mrs. Gardner is a woman of good understanding, 
and is amply gifted with sound oonimon sense and 



unfailing judgment. She has the heart to feel and 
the hand to respond to calls for aid from tliose less 
fortunate than herself. She is liberal in her 
religious views, holding to good deeds rather than 
to meaningless creeds for her salvation. 



^pj HARLKS .J. LOCKWOOD. The subject of 
III this sketch was born in the township of Burr 

^^'' Oak, St. .loseph Co., Mich., M.iy 18, 18G3. 
His father, .John M. Lockwood, was born at .St. 
Albans. Vt., Sept. 27, 1827. and moved with his 
parents to the Stale of Indiana in earl}- boyhood. 
He received a common-school education, and sub- 
sequently came to the State of Michigan, and mar- 
ried .lulia Moe. daughter of Capt. Charles Moe, of 
Fawn River, in 1853. soon after locating on a 
farm in the township of Burr Oak. where they have 
since resided. Throe children blessed their union: 
Otho M., will) died in infanc}'; Maranda J. and 
Charles .1. The Litter, the subject of our memoir, 
has distinguished himself in various ways. As a 
school bo}' he was bright and of keen perception, 
and possessed the winning grace which made him a 
favorite with teachers and si-hoolmates. He was grad- 
uated at Sturgis Union .School in 1881; then at- 
tended the Michigan Military Acaderaj". and was 
graduated Iherefroin in 1882. Having acquired a 
taste for military discipline, he presented liimself 
as a candidate for West Point at a competitive ex- 
amination held in Kalamazoo, in .July, 1883. where 
he won the distinction over a class of fourteen 
brilliant competitors. Accordingly, the following 
June he entered the United States Military Acad- 
emy at West Point, and by diligent .-ipplication 
did credit to himself during the first year. But 
not all was smiles that fate bestowed upon him. for 
he was now doomed to disappointment. His e3'cs 
began to fail, and he w.as obliged to go to New 
York for treatment; but from constant strain they 
refused to improve, and he was forced to abandon 
this project, the dream of his life, for he had built 
great hopes of eminence upon completing the course 
and attaining a commission in the Regular Army. 
With his acquittal at West Point ended our sub- 



•Mh^ 



M^ 



ST. .lOSKPII COUNTY. 



44'J ' ^ 



jecl's siliool (lays, lie caiiio lioiiii" Mini ciiijjij^cil in 
toncliiiiuf for a lime, until he as.siiiiK'd tin- iH-sixmsi- 
bilitii's c'omu'cli'cl with the |iulilicati(in <if tlic ^fi(^hi- 
gan Democrat, the R'l'ugiiizi'd iiarty organ of St. 
.Tosi'pli C'diiiitv, having the largest eircnlnlion of 
any paper in ihe cmmty, and whifli. by his di'ter- 
niined .and tireless efforts, is rapidly growing in 
popidarily. 

Mr. Lockwood is heart and soul a Denioeral. as 
was his father before him. He thoroughly believes 
in his part}- and loves its principles, and seeks 
through the inedinni of his paper lo promote the 
growth of the methods of governmental execu- 
tion, to which he so firmly adheres. In |)olitical 
tactics his opinions are sought and his counsels 
heetJed. 

In stature Mr. Lockwood is six feet one inch, 
well proportioned and a line figure. He is still 
unmarried. .Socially, he is benevolent and fraternal, 
a devotee to Free Masonry, having studied its 
teachings as far as the order of Knights Templar. 
He is genial, kindly and gracious, Episcopalian in 
religion, and practical in [irecept. 



R. T. FRANKLIN THORNTON, physi- 
cian, surgeon and druggist, of Sturgis. is 
^ one of the most intelligentand enterprising 
business men of St. .losepli County. In 
liis profession he ranks well, his skill and thorough 
knowledge of surgery placing him in a high position 
among his medical brethren. He was born in 
Huffalo. N. Y.. Aug. 21, IM.'iO. His parents, the 
late .lohn W.and Margaret (Hrailhwaile') 'I'hornton, 
were born in Lancaster. Kngland. and spent the 
earlier part of tlieir lives in their native eouiitrj'. 
In lK4r) they emisirateil to the I'nited States and 
settled in ISutTalo. where the}' remaineii for several 
years. They had a family of eight children, five 
of whom arc now living, namely: Our subject; 
.bihn AV., of Hastings, Neb.; .Lames B., of Sturgis; 
Alice T.. wife of Prof. .1. R. Knight, of Sturgis, and 
Fanny, wife of Samuel .lohnsoii, of Morris, III. 

The subject of our sketch moved with his |)arents 
to Grundy County, III., when about eight years of 
age. and there, in the town of Morris, received a 




*■ 



good education, first in its public schools and then 
in its classical institute. He was sulisrqiiently 
graduated from the Normal rniversity of liloom- 
ington. III., which was then in elinrge of the noted 
e<lu(ator. Prof. Richard Edwards, the present .State 
Superintendent of Schools in Illinois. In IHC'J 
our subject went to Hamilton. Province of Ontario, 
Canada, and reail medicine with Dr. C. F. Rullen. 
Surgeon of the Great AVestern Itailway, and after- 
ward practiced for two years in the Hamilton hos- 
jiital. Dr. Thornton then took a course of study 
at the Medical College at Detroit, being graduated 
from there March .5, 187.3. Our subject did not 
wait long after obtaining his diploma before establish- 
ing himself in business, but in the ensuing month, 
April !), he formetl a partnership with Dr. Nelson I. 
P.ackard. of Sturgis. After the dissolution of the 
partnership Dr. Thornton openeii a drug-store in 
connection with his profession, which he has since 
managed successfully. He carries a large and 
select stock of valuable goods, inclu<ling a full line 
of drugs, medicines, toilet and fancj' goods, jewelry, 
watches, silverware, wall papers, paints, oils and no- 
tions, all of whi<'h he sells at reasonable prices. .Soon 
after settliiig in Sturgis the Doctor was appointed 
United States P^xauiining Surgeon for this place, an 
office which he held for seven years, when he 
resigned, to accept the position as Special Kxn miner 
of the Pension Rureaii, which place he filled with 
acceptance to all concerned rluring 1882 and a part 
of 1883. Our subject is, and has for several years 
been the surgeon of the Grand Rapids <t Indiana 
Itailwaj'. Besides attending to his professional 
duties and the care of his store. Dr. Thornton does 
a good deal of literary' work, and w.as the publisher 
of the Sturgis Journal from 1875 to 1883. He now 
publishes the Island Park Assembly, or the 
Weslern Chniilnufjua, which is conductecl with 
great literary ability, and the Rural Home, a paper 
which is devoted to the interests of the farm and 
the family. Our subject is a prominent member of 
the American Medical Association, and also of the 
.St. .loseph Valley Medical Association. 

The marriage of Dr. Thornton with Miss Liie. 
daughter of the Hon. William Allman, of Sturgis, 
was celebrated on Dec. 11, 1873. Their union 
has been blessed by the birth of five children. 



JL 



4:)0 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



■*Tr^ 



-t 



namely: Allie L., Xellio M.. Bernice M.. T. Frank- 
lin. .Ir., and William, fifceased. Dr. Thornton and 
family ocuiipy a leading social position in their 
commiinit}', and though not an office-seeker our 
suliject lends his influence toward proniotino; the 
welfare of his town and county, and gives substan- 
tial aid for all beneficial schemes for its improve- 
ment. 



-<i= 



Jf 0SK:PH B. ZINK, deceased, w.as for several 
I 3'ears a well-known and highly respected 
\' resident of Sturgis. with whose stock-raising 
}j and farming interests he was actively identi- 
fied. He was a man of an energetic and enterprising 
disposition, possessing a keen vision and good 
business tact, and in his various undertakings ever 
met with substantial success. 

He was born in Indiana County, Pa.. March IG, 
1816, and was derived from a notable Puritan 
ancestry, he being a lineal descendant of the cele- 
brated Joseph Zink, who was once Lord Chancellor 
of England, and was afterward a passenger on the 
"Mayflower," landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620, 
and became one of the founders of New Eng- 
land, he having fled to the wilds of this then 
almost unknown country for consciepce sake. 
Our subject's father, Jacob Zink, was a native 
of Lancaster Countj', Pa. He was reared to man- 
hood in his native county, and married Margaret 
Blackburn, who was born in Penn.sylvania. They 
spent the early years of their married life in 
Pennsylvania, and in 1829 migrated thence to Steu- 
benville, Ohio, out subject, then a lad of thirteen 
years, driving a yoke of oxen all the waj*. Their 
stay in .Steubenvilie was short, as in the same fall 
they settled in Fredcricktown, Knox Count}', where 
the father died about 1849 or 1850. The mother 
died in 1836. 

As before mentioned, our subject passed the first 
thirteen j-ears of his life in his native State, and his 
j'outh was sjjent in Ohio. He grew to a vigorous 
manhood, possessing a fine physique, an iron consti- 
tution and a strong will; and thus well equipped 
for life's battles, he entered the arena earlj', and 
sustained his part honorabl}' until death closed his 



earthly career. While residing in Knox County, 
Ohio. Mr. Zink engaged in freighting for several 
years, and he was one of the first to cross the 
mountains to Philadelphia, Baltimore and other 
Eastern points with a six-horse team, and he also 
m.ade many trips to places on Lake Erie. He 
finally turned his attention to farming, and btn'ing 
eighty acres of timbered land in Middleliurv 
Township, Knox Co, Ohio, began the hard task 
of carving out a home from the wilderness. In the 
few years that followed, by incessant labor .-ind 
through the force of an indomitable will, he cleared 
200 acres from the primeval forests. In the 
}"ear 1856 he began to engage in the stock busi- 
ness very extensively', shipping horses to the East. 
The following spring he began to deal in sheep, cat- 
tle and hogs, with a partner, but after the financial 
crash of 1857 he conducted the business alone 
until 1861, when he formed a partnership with 
Philip E. Frederick, now manager of the stock- 
3'ards of St. Louis, and during the late war they 
furnished 5,000 horses to the United States Govern- 
ment. In 1862 our subject removed to Coles 
County. 111., and there purchased 280 acres 
of land, which he sold at a good advance a 
j'ear and a half later, and then returned to 
Ohio. In the spring of 1867 he removed to Kan- 
kakee, III., and from there came to Sturgis in 
October of the same year, settling on what is now 
known as the Fisk farm. In 1872 our subject 
visited Nodaway County, Mo., and coming back to 
Michigan in the following year, took up his abode 
in Branch County. Early in 1875 he returned to 
this county, where he resided until Februar}', 1879, 
when he went to Columbia Count}', Wis., and there 
made his home until his death, Jan. 6, 1886, 
from cancer of the stomach, and thus a busj- and 
eventful life was rounded out and finished. During 
its course he had displayed those sterling traits of 
character that made him exemplary as a citizen, 
honorable as a man, kind as a neighbor, and as a 
husband and father, tenderly devoted to the inter- 
ests of his family, and to his beloved wife, son and 
grandchildren he left the priceless legacy of a good 
name. Mr. Zink was brought up in the Quaker 
faith, but never identified himself with anj' church. 
Socially, he was a member of the I. O. O. F. 



«» ■ 4t 



-•^^h-^ 



ST. .lOStPH COUNTS. 



451 



Our sulijpcl iin(loubU'tIl3' owed imuli nf liis suc- 
cess in life to his luilijc wife, who, (liiriiig the 
period of nearly fort3'-six years that they traveled 
life's patli together, faithfully iifTorded liini all tlie 
assistance in her power. Their marriage was 
solemnized Nov. 10, lH-10. Mrs. Zink's maiden 
name was Anna M. Parker, and she was born 
March ',(, 1 S-JO, in Baltimore County, nine miles 
South of 15altinu)re. Md., her parents having been 
Robert and Elizabeth (Shultz) Parker. Of her 
marriage with our subject one son, Jacob Black- 
liuri), was born .Sept. 10, 1841. She is now 
spending her declining years with him at his pleas- 
ant home in Sturgis, surrounded by ever}' comfort 
that Qlial devotion can devise. 

Jacob Zink assisted his father in his stock busi- 
ness for nian\" years, and did niucl; hard farm woik. 
He has been twice married. His first marriage, 
which took place .Sept. 10. 186 1, was to Miss 
Mary K. Strubel. a daughter of Henry and Harriet 
Strubel. She was born in New York, and died 
May 1(). 187(1, leaving two sons, William U. and 
Frank 1). The former is engineer on the Wiscon- 
sin Central Railway and the latter is fireman on the 
same. Mr. Zink's second marriage, July 31, 1871, 
was to Miss Sarah A. Allgire, a daughter of John 
V. and Nancy ('Ihuma) Allgire. Mrs. Zink was 
born in Richland County, Ohio, Sept. 5, 1847. 
Of this union five children were born, namely: 
(Jeorge P., John M., Thomas S., Charlie R. and 
Mary E. Mr. and Mrs. Zink are among the most 
respected citizens of Sturgis. Mr. Zink isa man of 
sterling character, inheriting much of his father's 
strong sense and capacity, and in him his present 
employers. Chapman Bros., of Chicago, pubIi^hers 
of this work, find one of their most able and faith- 
ful employes. 



]yj^ H. ISAAC D. HOWARD. In the person 
of this gentleman we find that of a m.an of 




more than ordinary intelligence and men- 
tal capacities, a man of thorough educa- 
tion and much culture, a student and well informed. 
He began life on the soil of the Old Dominion, 
near the town of Bath, in Morgan County, ^'a., in 



18.39. iuid was taken thence when a cliild by his 
parents to Trumbull County. Ohio, they settling 
on a farm in Ellsworth Township. There young 
Howard remained until a youth of sixteen years, in 
the meantime pursuing his early studies in the 
common schools. He now entered Cott.nge Hill 
Academy, about two miles from his home, and later 
we find him a student in the Western Reserve Col- 
lege, where he completed the literary and classical 
course. 

At an early period in lii.s life our subject had 
determined uihju following the profession of medi- 
cine, and after leaving college entered the office of 
Dr. 1). B. Wood, of Warren. Ohio. uu<ler whose 
instruction he remained until twenty years of age, 
making good progress and giving his close atten- 
tion to the best medical works of thed.ay. Eate in 
1848 he repaired to Philadelphia. Pa., entering the 
medical college there, which he left in the spring, 
returning to Warren. In the fall of that year, how- 
ever, lie went back to the t^uaker City, and pursued 
his studies in the same college until March. I84'.t. 
when he was graduated with honors. 

Dr. Howard returning now again to Warren, 
gave still further attention to his medical studies, 
being a,ssociated for a short time with Dr. Wood, 
but finally returning to Pennsylvania, began the 
regular practice of his profession in the city of 
Pittsburgh. He was located in the Seventh Ward, 
and remained there until the fall of 18.>l. Then 
returning to the Wes;t. he took up his abtnle in 
Portage City. Wis., where he was continuously 
engage<i in the practice of his profession for about 
three years. The spring of 1850 fountl him a 
resident of Parkville. this county, where he prac- 
ticc<l six or seven velars, then transferred the scene 
of his o|)erations Ui Klowerlicld Village, of which he 
has since been a resident. 

Dr. Howard met bis fate in Portage City. Wis., in 
the |)erson of .Miss Harriet Childs. She was Uirii 
in Danville, Pa.. June 13. 1830. and is the daugh- 
ter of .Vndrew and Margrett (Arnwine) Childs. 
who were also natives of the Keystone .state. The 
mother is living in Danville. Pa.; the father die<l in 
M.ay. IKCl. The l)<«'tor and his wife lH\<ran their 
wedded life together in Portage City. Wis., and in 
due lime became the parents of live children, one 



i 



-•► 



"^^ 



t 



452 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



of whom died when two \-ears and five months old. 
Ella M. is engaged in the ministiy of the Protestant 
Methodist Church, .and located at Lansing; John 
is engaged as clerk and book-keeper in a lumber 
establishment at Prescott in the northern i)art of 
the State; he has chosen the medical profession for 
his calling, and is at the same time prosecuting 
his studies; Lola, an estimable and accomplished 
young lad}-, remains witli her parents at home; 
Childs Howard, youngest ciiild of our subject, wa5 
born May 28, 1876, and he is yet attending school. 
The parents of our subject were AVilliam and 
Mary (Uosc) Howard, the former a native of York- 
sliire, Kiigl.and, and the latter born near Bath. 
Va.. and both spent their last years in Ohio, 
the mother dying at tlie age of sixty-five and the 
father at the advanced age of ninetj'-five. William 
Howard emigrated to the United States at an early 
period in his life, and did good ser\ace as Second ! 
Lieutenant in tiie War of 1812. The maternal I 
grandfather of our subje;^t did good service in the 
Revolutionary War.aud spent his last years in Ohio. 
Dr. Howard has been identified with the Repub- 
lican ijarty since its organization in 18.50. and both 
he and liis excellent wife are members in good 
standing of the ilelhodist Episcoi)al Church. As 
a practitioner, our subject is f.aithful and conscien- 
tious in the discharge of his duties; as a business 
man, prompt to meet his obligations, and as a 
citizen, he jmsscsses those (pialities most useful and 
valuable in an intelligent communitv. 



l\ ,.. 



nILO INGRAHAM. a pioneer of 1833, made 
his advent into Miciiijinn Terrltor_v when a 
vouth of fifteen years, having been born 
April 21), 1818. in Vermont. His early 
home was on the shore of the Iteautiful Lake Cliam- 
plain. but before he was able to appreciate tlie world- 
renowneil scenery of tiiat region, circumstances in- 
duced his parents to change their residence from 
the Green Mountain Slate to Ohio. They settled 
in the town of Madison. Lake Count}', where they 
lived until coming to Michigan in the spring of the 
j'car above mentioned. Here they settled in Kala- 
mazoo County, where the father improved a farm, 



and where the education of our subject was com- 
pleted in the common school. Upon approaching 
manhood he began an apprentlcesliip at the cooper 
trade, whicli he followed afterward in Elowerfield. 
In the spring of 1844 he, in company with his 
brother Alvin, purchased the cradle manufactory 
of Ami Palmer, which the}' conducted successfully 
three years together, when Milo purchased the in- 
terest of his brother in the business, and has since 
carried it on himself. This has proved a very 
profitable enterprise, he some j'ears turning out as 
high as 600 craflles, which he shipped to different 
States, and which have attained a wide reputation 
throughout the West. 

Mr. Ingraham has been a resident of Flowerfield 
Township for a period of over forty years. Here 
he was first married, Aug. 4, 1844, to Miss Jane 
Leonard, who became the mother of four children, 
and died at the present homestead Sept. 14. 1803. 
Mr. L w.as married a second time, Nov. 2, 1867, to 
Mrs. Ann (Hair) Briggs. This lad}' was born in 
Lincolnshire. England, M.ay 20, 1830, whence she 
came to the United States in 1852. She was first 
married to John E. Briggs, who served as a Union 
soldier in the late Civil War. and died of fever at 
Fairfax Court House at the age of thirty-seven 
years. Mr. and .Mrs. Briggs were the parents of the 
following cliiidr. n : Hannah Is the wifeof John Beam, 
and lives in Ilowardsville, Mich.; Sarah Elizabeth, 
Mrs. Prank Roach, is a resident of Flowerfield, 
Mich.; Edward \V. is married, and engaged in the 
Upton machine works at Port Huron, Mich. 

Our subject's children by his first marriage were: 
Mary, who became the wife of Harrison Surdam, 
and they are living in Western Oregon; Isabelle, 
Mrs. Robert P.ashby, is a resident of Iowa City, 
Cal.; Irene Is the wife of John E. Jones, and they 
live in Iceland. Ore.; Celia married Mr. Mark 
Stoughton. and they are residents of Waveriy Town- 
ship, Van Bureii County, this State, living on a 
farm. Tu our subject and his present Wife there 
has been born one child only, a son. John M.. Feb. 
1, 1870. He is a bright and promising young man, 
and has obtained a practical education in the schools 
of Flowerfield. 

Daniel and Betse}' (Day) Ingraham, the parents 
of our subject, were natives of Vermont, and spent 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



•«► 



453 



[' 



tlip Inst ypifs of tlii'ir livus with their son Miio, in 
Flowerliflil. who proviilcd for their nceils with 
tili:ii care nntil Ihey no more leqnired liis :iffeetion- 
ate services. Daniel Ingr.-iliam departed this life in 
18-J."), and the faithful mother Oct. «, 1807. Tliey 
were the parents of nine children, six sons and three 
daughters, of whom there are living three sons and 
two daughters. Norman and Alvin have arrived 
at the advanced ages of eighty-three and sixty- 
seven years respectively; the former makes his 
home in Three Rivers, and the latter in Flowerfield 
\'illage. .Miirie. Mrs. .I(»lin IJarlo, is seventy-six 
years old. and a resident of Lansing; Martha Ann, 
the wife of .Joseph Williams, lives in Iowa. The 
father served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and 
one brother of our subject, Lysander, was a soldier 
in the late war. and died at Three Uivers when 
sixty-one years old, from disease contracted wliile 
in the army. 



•eca'®*®'" — M 



^SfSVSW»»- 



^jULir.S M. BAUUOWS, a prominentand pop- 
I ular citizen of Sturgis, is one of the leading 

dl architects. contractt)rs and builders in Soutli- 
^Jl em Michigan. He does a large and extensive 
business not only here but in other States, even as 
far west as Kansas, he having been the superin- 
tendent of buihling of the Fifth Aven\ie Hotel in 
Km|H>ria, that .State. 

Mr. Harrows is a worthy descendant of good New 
Kngland families, and is himself a native of the 
famous .State of Ct»nnecticut. the city of Hartford 
being his birthplace, and Oct. 2;5. I82!t, the ilate of 
his birth. His father was the well-known Dr. Ashal 
Barrows, a native of Vermont, born Oct. I). 17U4, 
and his mother was Mrs. Amelia Lamphier. a native 
of Kliode Island. To them were born six children, 
of whom our sul>ject was the fourth in order of 
birth. In 1 ^30 or 1 8;jri the Doctor moved to Cleve- 
land, Ohio, and practiceil medicine there until IK^t'J. 
he having begun its practice in 18*25, while still a 
resident of \'ermont, although before that he had 
been a .Sergeant in the War of 1812. He was quite | 
3'onng then, not having nltained his majority. In i 
184'J he removed with his family to near Grand | 



Rapids, this State, and settled on a farm adjoining 
the city, whi-re he spent the reniaimler of his days. 
He lived a retired life mostly, practicing only a 
limited portion of his time. 

Mrs. Lamphier was a widow with one chilil, and 
the father, Ashal Bariows, was a widower with five 
children at their marriage. 

The childhood of our subject was passed mostly 
in Cleveland, and in tiie cilj' schools he gaineil the 
preliminaries of a liberal education. At the age 
of fotn-teen he left home to attend the Nutting 
Aca<lemy at Romeo. Mich., pursuing a thorough 
course of study in tiial institution. After leaving 
school he learned the caipenter's trade, and then ac- 
quired a good knowledge of the cabinet-maker's 
trade. He became a citizen of (Iraml Rapids in 
1849. and signed the petition for the city charter 
and voted on its a(lopti<jn. He there established 
himself as a contractor and builder, which business 
he has carried on for thirty years with ever increas- 
ing success, and I)}' his enterprise and industry he 
has accumulated some property and is classed 
among the well-to-do citizens of .St. .Joseph County. 
He came to .Sturgis in 1851, and has made his home 
here ever since, although the demands of his busi- 
ness have frequently calleil him to other parts of 
the countiy. He has been the architect and con- 
structor of the finest resideni?es here, and he built 
the Methodist. Baptist and Lutheran Churches, be- 
sifles doing most of the work on the Free Church. 
He built the residence of the late John B. How in 
Lima, Ind., which is the finest dwelling in tliat part 
of the country, and he also erected two fine 
churches in Lima and also the Presbyterian Church 
in l.,agrange, Ind., a handsome structure, besides 
being the architect and builder of some fifteen 
churches in other places and .Slates. He haserectetl 
a handsome residence for himself and family in 
.Sturgis. which is a fine specimen of modern archi- 
tecture; the interior decorations are es|»ecially fine, 
and we in.ay mention some handsomely executed 
hand carving in his parlor and » series of carvinus 
on the folding cloors as deserving special notice. 
Our subject is regarded as an architect of supj-rior 
attainments, and he is commended for his good, 
substantial and durable work as a builder. 

Mr. Barrows was married, Sept. 2, 184 'J, lo Miss 



-•► 



^' 



J. 



4«- 



454 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



Eliza, flaiiglittM- of Elijah and Mary Hammond. 
Slie was horn near London, England. March 7, 
1830. Their union has been productive of four 
chihlren, three of whom are living. The eldest, 
Mary, died at tlie age of eighteen months; Anna 
M., Frank R. and Charles V. Anna, a teacher in 
the public schools of Sturgis, lives at home with 
her p.irents; she married Alva T. Cathcart, and bus 
one child. Ja}' M. Frank, a photographer of Ft. 
Wayne, Ind., married Abbie Hanson, and they have 
two children. Lulu G. and Raymond; Charles is 
also a photographer at Ft. Wayne. 

Mr. Barrows is noted for his liberalitj- and public 
spirit, and any movement set on foot for the im- 
provement or advancement of the town is sure to 
receive his hearty support and encouragement. He 
has long borne a conspicuous part in the administra- 
tion of public affairs, has been City Councilman 
for many years, and was Chief of the Fire Depart- 
ment for two years, and is still popidar with its 
members. He belongs to the L O. O. F., and he 
and his family are people of social prominence in 
this conimunit}-. Although not a church member 
he contributes generously toward the sui)port of 
the Gospel and of benevolent institutions. In his 
political sentiments he is a firm believer in the pol- 
icy of the Republican party, and supports it at the 
polls. 



jf? EA'ANT E. WHITE, .lustiee of the Peace, 
ll (^ real-estate and collection agent, is one of 
^fc:^ the leading citizens of Sturgis. and he has 
been jn'omiuently identified with the various move- 
ments to advance its interest for several years. He 
is a native of the State of New York, his birth 
t.iking place in Genesee County, .Sept. 26. 1833. 
His parents. Ezekiel and Clarissa.!. (Strong) White, 
were natives of the same county, and were there 
reared and married. Three children were born of 
their union, namely: .John, a citizen of Ottawa, 
Kan.; .Jay, a resident of Lincoln, Neb., and our 
subject. 

The Latter received his education in .Mbion 
College, .Mich., which well fitted him for the busi- 
ness career which he afterward pursued. In the 
fall of 1853. after leaving college, he accepted a 



position as clerk in a store in Hillsdale County, 
and acted in that capacity for four years, thus gain- 
ing a good, practical knowledge of business in all 
of its details. In 1859 he came to Sturgis and en- 
gaged in general merchandising business on his 
own account, being engaged in that very prosjjer- 
ously for twenty years. He became prominently 
identified with civic affairs in St. .Joseph County, 
and was elected County Clerk in 1879. He serveil 
two terms, or four years, with distinction, and then 
returned to Sturgis, where he has since lived, and 
here he b.as .ilso taken a conspicuous part in the 
administration of public affairs, his fellow-citizens 
having a just appreciation of his ability and worth. 
He was Supervisor of the township for three terms, 
and held the office of Township Clerk for four years, 
and President of the Vill.age Board for six terms. 
He was elected to the oHice of Justice of the Peace 
in 1885, and is also one of the County Superintend- 
ents of the Poor. He is one of tlie financiers of 
the town, is a Director in the First National Bank 
of Sturgis, and holds a considerable amount of the 
stock in that institution. Mr. White is largely en- 
gaged in a general collecting business, and sells 
and transfers property, etc. In the perusal of this 
short sketch it will be seen that our subject leads a 
busy and varied life. His duties are numerous, 
and he discharges them all, whether of a public or 
private nature, with the same conscientious fidelity, 
and thus his fellow-citizens have learned to confide 
in him as an honorable man. above reproach. He 
is liberal in his donations for charitable or religiotis 
objects, although not connected with any church. 
He is a valued member of the ^lasonic fraternity, 
both of the Chapter and Encampment. 

!Mr. White has been twice married. He was first 
wedded to Miss Louisa Buck, in Decemlier. 1864. 
She was a daughter of the late Philip II. Buck, a 
well-known pioneer of St. Joseph County, and our 
subject owns the old homestead where he settled in 
the early days of the settlement of this county. 
Mrs. White was a lady of high character, who pos- 
sessed many amiable qu.alities that endeared her to 
a large circle of friends, who mourned with the 
berejived family over her iintimely death, .Aug. 19, 
1871. By that uni<m two children were born, 
Mary L. and Lee W. The former is a pupil in the 



ss"*' 








Ct^j^^-i^ 



ff. 




o 



V-^^J 



-^^ 



^•^r^ 



ST. JOSia'II COUNTY. 



4.">7 



NorniMl Sfliool at Y))silniiti. miuI tin- hitter is nt- 
trudinif sc'liiKil here. Mr. W'liile was married to 
his present wife Sept. 26, ISTO. She presides over 
their iittraetive home, in one of the finest residences 
in the town, witli the sfraeiousness and courtesy of 
the model liost^ss, and looks well after the comforts 
of her household. Mrs. White is a native of Sturgis, 
and her maiden name was Fannie Hill. 



//„ BKAM II. V001lIIEi:s. Among the lead- 
ft^/iJI ' ing men of Mendon Township and St. Jo- 

,// A sepli C'oMiity entire, there are none held in 
|j? higher respect than the gentleman whose 

name stands at the head of tliis article. His is a 
peculiar character, strong in its convictions of 
right, a Christian although not a mem her of any 
church, hut a man seeking to do good as he has op- 
portunilj', irrespective of creed or prejudice. He 
is noted for his liberality to the poor and his con- 
tributions to educatit)nal enterprises. Providence 
h:is blessed him in hislabors through, the vicissitudes 
of a long and useful life, anil he has his reward 
even here in the esteem and confidence of all who 
know him. 

A native of the town of Lysander, Onondaga 
Co.. N. v.. our subject was born March 23. 1824, 
and is the son of William and Alclie (Van Doreii) 
Voorhces. His father was born near Monmouth, 
N. J., and the mother near Trenton, that Slate. 
They were reared and married in Xeiv.Iersej'. Af- 
terward, in 1822, they moved to Onond.iga County, 
N. Y., where William Voorhees engaged in farm- 
ing, but was cut down in the prime of life, dying 
about 1H;50, when his son, our .subject, was a little 
lad sis years of age. 

.Soon after the death of his father Abram H. 
Voorhees was taken into the home of his maternal 
grandfather, William Van iJoren, in the village of 
Lysander. where he was ke|)t in school until twelve 
years old. Then, deciding that he would like to 
become a fanner, lu- went to live with a nuin by 
the name of David Helyea, about five miles from 



the village. This farmer was a good man, and mas- 
ter of his calling, and the agreement was that he 
was to give the boy his board and clothes an<l three 
mouths' schooling each year, providing he remained 
with him until twenty-one years olil. At the ex- 
piration of this time he was to present him with an 
extra suit of clothes and $100 in mone3\ Young 
Voorhees staid with Mr. Relyea three j'ears, and 
then his mother was married to|a Mr. .Jacob Spring- 
stead. The latter offered the youth his board and 
clothes and §100 when eighteen years of age, if he 
would come and live with him. This offer he ac- 
cepted. 

In the spring of 1810 the family' ail came to 
Jlichigan, and sojourned in Washtenaw County one 
year. Then coining to St. Joseph Connt^', they 
settled on a tract of land three miles north of the 
present site of Mtudon Village. In the spring of 

1842 the three years had expired. The stepfather 
of young Voorhees met his obligations by giving 
him one pair of oxen worth ioO, one pair of three- 
year-old steers worth §;!.), three yearling heifers 
worth $1.5, and in addition made him a present of 
a two-year-old heifer besides. He was now his own 
"boss," and ready to start out with what seemed to 
him a very fine capiUd. He comnienced operations 
on his own hook liy building a good log stable and 
sheds for his cattle on a tract of land which he had 
rented of his stepfather. The next spring, after 
planting ten acres of corn, on the farm of Jloses 
Taft. our hero found work by the ilay. which snpplieil 
him with the necessary capital for future operations, 
his oxen by their labor contributing to the general 
income. He thus paid for his board, and for the 
use of a horse to cultivate his corn. During that 
summer he put up in stack nearly twenty tons of 
marsh hay for himself. During the winter he 
bought a lot of whitewood trees, cut them in saw 
logs, and got them to the mill. In the spring of 

1843 he put in a crop of oats and corn, sold his 
steers, and with the proceeds purchased a few sheep. 
The summer following he added to his live stock 
by the purchase of a number of young cattle, and 
in the fall his mother gave him ^300 in cash as his 
share of hers ami his father's estate. .Soon aftcr- 
wanl he purch.-ised seventy acres of laml ailjuining 
the prairie on section 20, Mendon Township, for the 



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y 458 



-► II ■» 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 




consideralion of 8600. pnyiiig 8300 down nnd giv- 
ing his note for tiie balance. 

Mr. Voorhees was united in marriage with Jliss 
Sophia Taft, Feb. 27, 1844, at her home in Mendon 
Townsliip. By tiie request of liie parents of the 
bride the young peo|)le took up their abode with 
them for a couple of years. 

In .January. 1845, Mr. Voorhees purchased 120 
acres of land on section 12, and in December, 1846, 
he moved with his little family into the house he 
had built on the land he first purchased. In April, 
1847, he added to his real estate, securing eighty 
acres on section 1 1 , for which he paid 8800. In 
1849 he purchased anollior eighty acres on section 
1 1 , paj'ing therefor 8600. That same year he was 
obliged to accept forty acres of land in Kalamazoo 
County to .square a debt, giving in addilit)n to the 
anmnnt of the sum due him 8400. It will linis be 
seen that he was uniformly prosperous from the 
outset, while iiis industry and energy niaile him the 
object of general interest anil admiration in all 
that section of country. 

Jlr. Voorhees now conceived the idea that he 
would like to visit the Pacific Slope, and accordingly 
sold a portion of his land and all of his stock. He 
set out on the long journey early in the spring of 
1851, making his way lirst by way of New York 
City to Chagres, and then across the Isthmus of 
Panama, in the meantime speniling seven days in 
I'antuna Cit}', where he met with man}' curious 
jjcople. and gained a good idea of life in that por- 
tion of the world. After a voyage of twenty-five 
days on the steamer '• Republic " lie arriveil in San 
Francisco, an<l went frt)ni there to the mines by way 
of Sacramento. Afterward he was engaged in a 
search for the yellow ore until April, 1852. This 
enterprise was attended with fair success, and he 
now returned home by the Nicar.agua route. 

Soon after his return the mother of Mr. Voor- 
hees was taken with fatal illness, and died in .Sep- 
tember, 1852. His stepfather then insisted upon his 
purchasing the homestead, which he did, paying 
therefor 81.200. In the spring of 1854 Mr. 
Voorhees sold the seventy acres he had first pur- 
chased, and soon afterward became owner of the 
farm upon which he now lives, besides forty acres 
one-half injlo north of the village, for wliich- he 



paid the snug sum of 82,300. In 1 859 he pur- 
chased eighty acres in Brady Townshi|), Kalamazoo 
County, for which he paid 8400. In 1 8()0 he 
bought sixty acres on section 2 in Mendon Town- 
ship, p.aying 8600. In 1868, in company with A. 
W. Glaring, he secured a one-third interest in the 
Gilbert Laird estate, for which they paid 86,000. 
In 1874 he added to his possessions by the pur- 
chase of Mr. Maring's interest in said estate, and 
in the division of the Land acquired 160 acres ad- 
ditional on section 24. 

Mr. Voorhees' public career began when he was a 
3'oung man. As carl3' as 1854 he was elected 
Treasurer of Mendon Township, and the year fol- 
lowing was elected Supervisor, holding this office 
until the spring of 1857. The ^-ear following he 
failed to secure the nomination, being defeated by 
the whisky element. It is proper to mention in 
passing that Mr. Voorhees is a confirmed temper- 
ance man. and has always given his encouragement 
to the Proliibilion sentiment. In the spring of 
1859 the anti- whisky people rallied to the fray and 
placed their favorite in his old position. In 1860 
the whisky element came uppermost again, but in 
1861 our subject weighed dovvn the scales by a 
larger mijorit^' than ever before, ami retained peace- 
able possession of the office a period of three years. 
In the meantime he was appointed United States 
Marsiial of his district, also enrolling officer of the 
township. The Civil War being in progress it be- 
came one of tlie duties of Mr. Voorhees to enroll 
all tiie men subject to a draft, notify them of their 
fate, and arrest and return deserters. In the various 
discharge of these delicate and important duties ho 
ever preserved that dignity and discretion which 
made hiui perhaps as few enemies as any man who 
ever occupieil these posts. 

In the si)ring of 1864 Mr. Voorhees with several 
of his neighbors and acquaintances set out once 
more for the farther West. Upon reaching Ft. 
Laramie, there was made up a train of 124 wagons, 
manned by 418 men under command of Capt. 
Hulbert, of Illinois, who appointed Mr. A'oorhees.as 
his Marshal. The latter was thereafter in effect 
Captain, being invested with full authority, with 
power to direct the movements of the train by ad- 
vice of his superior. They left the California trail 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



459 



4 



near Ft. Laiainic and directed their coui-se to the 
north of the BifT I [urn and Bear River Mountains. 
Soon after crossing tlie Big Horn River Mr. Voor- 
hees was ciioscn Captain of the train, of which he 
had the entire eomtiiand until their arrival in Vir- 
ginia City, Mont., when the train was disbanded. 
Mr. Vooriiees sojourned in this region onl}' a few 
days, and then returned to liis old haunts in Michi- 
gan, quite well satisfied to remain thereafter within 
the liounds of civiiiicaliun. 

Our subject now took up the mantle of a citizen 
whose ]iublic services had been such that the ])coplc 
were not willing he should remain absorbed in the 
concerns of private life. In the spring of 1866 
he was again called to the front, being elected 
.Iiisiicc of the I'eace for a term of four years. In 
IHCT there was conferred upon him the oflice of 
Highway Commissioner for a term of two years. 
\l its expiration he was re-electeil for three years. 
We must not omit to state that in the year 1860 
he waselcctcil Deputy Sheriff of St. Joseph County, 
in wliich otiice he served a number of years, and to 
wliidi he proved himself admirably adapted by his 
courage and coolness in the discharge of his duties. 

I'pon the approacli t)f the Nationtil Centennial, 
.Mr. \'oorhees. like thousands of other patriotic citi- 
zens, aroused himself and proceeded with his fam- 
ily to the City of Brotherly Love. This wa.s an 
epoch in his life from which he takes just satisfac- 
tion. He crowned the expedition on his return 
with a visit to the home of his chiblhiKid, which he 
had not seen for a i)eriod of nearly thirt3- -seven 
_\ears. In the spring of 1880 he was again elected 
.lusticeof the I'eace for a term of four years, re- 
elected in 188-t and 1888, and up to this time there 
has not even been an appeal from his decision to 
the Circuit Court. 

A man sensibly alive to the beauties of Nature, 
the smiling fields and growing cro|is. Mr. \'oor- 
hccs has also loved the other things connected with 
farm life, especially fine stock. In his younger 
years he raised and owned some of the best young 
cattle and oxen in his town-hip. and later exhibited 
•Mime of the finest horses to lie found in St. Joseph 
County, .\inong them was the high-bred stallion 
".Michigan Hertr," who became famous inlhis region. 
.Mr. \'oor|;ees has now at the bead of his stahle«> a 



standard-bred and registered young stallion, sired 
by '•Epicure" and he by "I'rinceps," one of the most 
noted of Kentucky stock. In this industry Mr. 
V. has taken great pride, and has been instrumental 
in raising the standard of fine stock lioth of horses 
and cattle in this county. 

At the commencement of his voting days Mr. 
Voorhees was a member of the old Whig party, 
who gave him his first ofHce, that of Constable, 
in which he served a nuinl)cr of years. He identi- 
fied himself with the Republicans at their organiza- 
tion in 18")(!. but is now a (ireenbacker, with strong 
I'rohibition sentiments. This sketch would by no 
means be complete without further mention of the 
excellent lady who h.as borne his name now for a 
period of forty-five years. Mrs. .Sophia (Taft) 
Voorhees was born in the township of Ellicott, 
Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Feb. 4, 182.'). She came 
to this county with her i)arents in June, 1 8.3.5, and 
was reared to womanhood at their homestead in 
Men<lon Township. Of her union with our sub- 
ject there were born four children, the eldest of 
whom, a son, Charles G., is now operating his own 
farm in Mendon Township; Maria is the wife of 
E. A. Fletcher, and they live on their own farm 
near our subject; Alche E. died in infancy; Ellen 
S. is the wife of fl. W. Hinkle. a well-to-do farmer 
of Mendon Townshii), and they are pleasantly situ- 
ated near the Voorhees homestead, the latter of 
which will be her property when her |>arents no 
longer nee<l it. 

Mr. anil Mrs. Voorhees are people of intelligence 
and gooii information, arc liberal in their religious 
views, and though the supporter of church organi- 
zations, have never been identifie<l with .iny one of 
thc-<e. .Mr. X. became a member of the Masonic 
fraternity in 1 8(51. and is now a member of .Mendon 
Lodge No. i;i7. He also belongs to Centreville 
Chapter No. II. R. A. M. 

December 14. 1887. marked one of the pleasant- 
e^t days in the life of our subject, when he was 
presented by the member^ of the (i. A. R. Post of 
.Mention with a heavy, gold-headed, ebony cane, us 
a testimonial of rt'spect from the veterans of that 
binly. 'I'hey nn-: at their hall in the afternoon of 
that day and <u\gani/.ed a relief corps, an<l in the 
evening sat down to a bountiful repast. Later the 



f 



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4(iO 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



*t 



companj were invited to attend a public installa- 
tion of oflicers. the meeting lieing- called to order 
by the Commander of the post, George Ford. Mr. 
A'oorhees was elected to preside over the meeting, 
:ind took his seat by the side of the Commander; 
the Chaplain. Rev. A. II. Wisner. was called upon 
to deliver an .address. In opening he referred to 
the trials and hardships of the Inion soldiei-s dur- 
ing the Civil War. their sacrifices and sufferings, 
and later referred to the trouble in organizing the 
Grand Army of the l{e|)ublic. He spoke feelinglj' 
of Abram H. Voorhees as tiie stanch friend of the 
hoys in blue when others failed them, and of the 
deep satisfaction it gave him to bear testimony to 
liis services, and present to this gentleman a slight 
token of the regard in which he was held by the 
members of V. W. Curtenius Post. He then turned, 
and taking in his hand the beautiful cane, pre- 
sented it formally to ^Ir. \'oorhees. It bore the 
following inscription : 

A. II. ^'00RHKKS, 

from 

F. W. Curtenius I'.ist No. 19.3. 

G. A. K. 

Dec. 14. 1X«7. 

Mr. ^'oorhees returned thanks for the handsome 
gift as follows: "Commander, ollicersand members 
of this Grand Army Post, as well as the ladies who 
are present with you to-night: Let me say that most 
of 3"0H should be well enough acquainte<l with me 
by this time to know that I have not words to ex- 
press sutricient thanks to you for the honor that 
you have conferred upon me this evening, not only 
by making me presiding odicer of this meeting, but 
by the presentation to nie of this l)enutiful cane, 
that I have just received from the hands of your 
reverend representative of this evening. Its beauty 
of design, the skilled workmanship thereon, the in- 
trinsic value it represents, together with the knowl- 
edge that it is presented to me by members of the 
Grand Army Post, make it of more value to me 
than I shall ever be able to repay, anti of more 
worth than if it were given to me by a Prince or a 
King. 

•• Vou saj- this is given me in appreciation of favors 
from me to you as soldiers. Let me say tluit what- 
ever favor I may have done for you or for an)- 



other soldier, was nothing more than what I con- 
sidered my duty. Not onl)' that, but a privilege 
anil a pleasure. Therefore, I think it is yon who 
should be the receiver of gifts and tokens of respect 
and friendship instead of me, for it was the soldier, 
3'es, it was 3'ou, and not me, that left your homes 
and firesides, your families and friends, an<l went 
to the field of battle, tlvere fighting the insolent foe 
to keep the union of our I'nited States from being 
dissolved or severed in twain. It was you, and not 
me, who marcheil over hill and plain, through mud 
and mire, through rain and sleet, and exposed 
yourself to rebel bullets and bayonets to keep 
our Government from being destroyed b}' rebel 
or guerrilla bands. 

"It was^ou and not me wiio stood and fought be- 
fore the rebel cannon mouths, and might have re- 
ceived their shot and shell as well as did many a com- 
rade by 3'our side, whose bodies to-day lie buried in 
unknown graves if buried at all, farawa)- from home 
and frienils. It was the soldier, and not me, who 
suffered untold agony, not only from ghasth' wounds 
received upon the field of battle, but from sickness 
and disease, torture and extreme cruelty, and star- 
vation in rebel prison pens, until death came to 
their relief. Many a bi-ave soldier in the pride of 
his manhood laid down his life that the life of our 
Constitution and Government should remain as our 
forefathers had willed it. Therefore let me saj-. that 
it is the soldier who should receive tokens and em- 
blems, not onl}' of respect and friendsin'p, but of 
gratitude; but I accept this gift, and will ever re- 
gard it as a memento of friendship from the Grand 
Army boys of the F. W. Curtenius Post, hoping 
that it will prove as true to my support when lean- 
ing ui)on it as I pass along the pathway of old age, 
as you were true to our Government when it leaned 
upon you for support, when its life w.as .assailed by 
a rebellious foe, and, while I thank you over and 
over again for this mark of your esteem, ma}' I not 
sincerely hope that the friendship which now ex- 
ists may ever remain." 

Moses Taft. the father of Mrs. Voorhees, w.as 
born in Mendon. Mass.. July 8. 1792. In 1«16 he 
went to .lamestown, N. Y.. and afterward married 
^liss Ksther Staples, a native of Westmoreland, 
that State, and who was born Sept. 6. 17^6. For a 



■^•■ 



i4»> 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



461 1 * 



numlicr of years he was occupied in rafting lumber 
down the Ohio Uiver to Cincinnati. In 18.30 he 
went via the Ohio River and up the Mi.ssi.ssippi to 
the Falls of St. Anthony, makinj^ the latter jjart of 
the journey in an Indian canoe. r|X)n his return 
he passcil throufch thLs county, and was so well 
pleased with its appearance that in 1H.3J he came 
and located on Nottawa Prairie. On the 17th of 
.June, is:j.j, he wa.s joined by his wife and Ave chil- 
<lren. There they took up their abode, and their 
children, .lune 17. 188.5. celebrated the tiftieth anni- 
versary of their arrival. This wa.* made the occa- 
sion of a family gatherinjr. and an address wa.s 
delivered by Mr. .\. II. Voorhees, the whf)le 
of which is well worthy of reproduction, but 
from which we can only extract a few elo(|Ucnt 
.sentences. In speaking of their .settlement here, 
he remarked: "This home was commence<l upon 
the unbroken sod of the beautiful prairie when 
nearly all of its surface wa.s covered with native 
trrass and wild flowers. It has now been made more 
beautiful by improvement. At first it was a home 
of toil, care and many privations, but it w.-is dearly 
love<l by the parents, for here their children grew 
t^) maturity, and here e.ich child lived after mar- 
riage and reared a jjortion of their families. In this 
home the parcnt-s livefl .something over forty years, 
onlv leaving it when they were conveyed to th.il 
home of eternal rest whence no one ever returns. 
How will it Ik* fifty years from to-day.- Will this 
home then be owned and liebl by the legal repre- 
sentatives of those parents.' Will there be a cele- 
bration here then of a home of KM) years, a centen- 
nial celebration instead of a .semi-centennial.' You 
three, as well as a number of others that are here 
to-flay. will never know but some of your children 
and grandchildren that are now here may l>e here 
on the 17th of June, 1935, to celebrate a home of 
100 years." 

Mr. Taft was a man of great energj- and lienevo- 
lence. He could never say "no" to a |>oor person 
who asked of hira a favor. In polities a stanch 
Whig, he abhorred the instituticm of slavery, 
and later joined the Itepublican party. He was lib- 
eral in his religious views, but was a little incline<l 
tu the I'niversalist doctrine. He was successful 
financially, and had many friends. His death took 



phace Sept. 21. 1874. and that of his wife May 17, 
187."). They left a good pro|ierty. which wa.s satis- 
factoril}- divided among their children, the home- 
stead reverting to the only son. Seth. and at this 
pl.ice was the g.athering alreafly s|Kjken of. and 
which was attended by all the living children and 
grandchildren. 



-^^ - ^ ' I ' i^ - 



J^EORGETHLKSTOX is an honored and ven- 
;— , erated citizen of .Sturgis. to whom belongs 
II the distinction of having been one of the 
very first settlers of St. .Joseph County, the late 
Judge .Sturgis sharing that honor with him. No 
history of the county would be com|)lele without 
mention of him. ami feeling sure that a sketch of 
his life and work would add greatl3' to the interest 
and value of this volume, xe have secured from his 
lips and those of his friends the material for this 
biography. No one now living within the bounds 
of .Michigan can have had a more extensive ex|)eri- 
ence of pioneer life than our subject, as when he 
was but a boy of eight years he accompanied his 
parents to the then Territory of Michigan, in Febru- 
arj', 1817, and settled with them in their pioneer 
home among the early settlers of Brownstown, at 
the head of Lake Erie, in Wa3-ne Count}'. At that 
time it was the general impressiuo that the interior 
of Michigan was worthless for purp<jses of colo- 
nization, as it was supposed to be a vast swamp, 
and but few white men had penetrated the primeval 
forests of this part of the countr}-, and none had 
made an}' attempts at settlement, leaving the wilder- 
ness to the domain of the Indians and the wild ani- 
mals, the aborigines not moving beyond the Mis- 
sissippi until several years later. In 1827 our sub- 
ject, then a stalwart 3'outh of nineteen, accompanied 
Judge Sturgis to this count}', with two j'okes of 
oxen, and wagons in which they had broyght seed 
wheat, provisions, plow and harrow teeth, intending 
to secure a location for farming pur()oses. They 
made their way through the forests by Indian trails 
uutil they came to the eastern part of what is now 
known as .Sturgis Prairie, and our sulject being 
much impressed with the beautj- of its situation 
and its value as an agricultural region, persuaded 



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4C2 



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ST. .JOSEPH COUNTY. 



V 



his fiipiifl to pitch thtir tents, ai.d lliey spent the 
season there. They made iiumedlate preparations 
to prei)are the land for cultivation, and our snlijeet 
turned the fiist furrow ploweil on Slurgis Prairie, 
and helped to sow the first wheat ever raised within 
its precincts. Mr. Thurston and Mr. Sturgis cut 
twenty-five tons of hay that same season, and it 
being stacked on the closely cut stubble, was saved 
from destruction by the fire that swept across the 
l)rairie in the fall. They started homeward on the 
19tii of September, and overtook the fire about 5 
o'clock in the afternoon, but for four consecutive 
niglits they were obliged to rest, and their oxen had 
nothing to eat during that time except the grass in 
tlie streams. After that experience our subject 
finally regained liis father's home in Wayne Count}', 
and .ludge Sturgis his. For further particulars 
concerning the latter see biography of his son 
Amos on another page of this work. Later Mr. 
Thurston became a prominent member of the farm- 
ing community of St. .loseph County, and to hira 
and men of like energj-. forethouglit and capacity, 
is the county greatly indebted for its high standing 
as a rich and prosperous agricultural region. In 
the first few years of the settlement of Southern 
Michigan Mr. Thurston greatly aided its upbuild- 
ing, for, .as was necessary in those days, the earl)' 
pioneers seemed banded together for mutual self- 
helpfulness, and in flve3'ears after coming here our 
subject assisted in raising eighty-six houses, some 
of which still stand. He helped to raise the first 
house in Kalaniaeoo County, forty miles distant, 
that of Judge Harrison, the first .settler in the 
county. He was of Scotch ancestry, inherited an 
iron constitution, and lived to the advanced age of 
one lumilred and three years an<l fifteen days. Our 
subject and his neighbors went over into that 
county where the said house was to be raised one 
da}', did the work, and returned the next da\'. 

We must now refer to the birth and antecedents 
of our subject. He was bom in the town of Lisle, 
Broome Co., N. Y.. April 11. 1808. He comes 
from good Revolutionary stock, his grandfather. 
Joel Thurston, having been a ])atriolic soldier in 
the Continental Army when the American colonists 
were having their great tight for libert\". and his 
son Joel, the eldest of his eight sons, was likewise 



a brave soldier in that contiict. .Samuel li. Thurs- 
ton, the father of our subject, the youngest member 
of his father's family, was born in Dutchess County, 
N. Y. He was reared in his native State, and was 
there married. His wife was also a native of 
Dutchess County, and the first years of their wedded 
life were passed in New York. In the second month 
of the year 1817, as before mentioned, they c.ime 
to this State. From malaria, caused by the un- 
drained swamps, newly broken land, and from other 
causes, there was much sickness in Michigan in early 
times, and Mr. Thurston and his family were greatl\' 
afflicted, his eldest daughter dying three months 
after their arrival in Brownsville, the failure of his 
wife's health and her ultimate death two^'ears later, 
and his own confinement from sickness for five 
3'ears. After the sad death of the good mother, 
whose loss could never be replaced, the care of his 
father and four small children fell on our subject, 
and nobly did he perform the hard t.isk of attend- 
ing to their wants and supplying the necessaries ot 
life, working when he was so sick himself that he 
could hardly stand. What education he obtained 
he was obliged to pick up the best wa}' he could, 
as his school privileges were very limited, he hav- 
ing attended school t)nl)' two months when a child 
in his native State, as for four years after settling 
in Michigan no man or woman could be found 
competent to take charge of a school. In the De- 
cember following his return from .Sturgis Prairie our 
subject and his brother Ira started for this place 
again, but when they reached Hillsdale County they 
met a traveler who told them that the hay that he 
(our subject) and the Judge had stacked on the 
prairie had been burned by the Indians and traders, 
so he and his brother concluded to stay where the)- 
were for awhile, as they could obtain em|>lovment 
of Moses Allen, then the onlj' settler in Hillsdale 
County, his place being Bft^'-flve miles west of 
Ypsilanli, and there was no settlement between the 
two points. That winter they made rails in snow 
that was over knee deep, our subject getting $13 a 
month, and his brother $11 a month. One of our 
subject's oxen died that winter, and he bought an- 
other from Mr. Allen, p.\ving $50 for it. Mr. 
Thurston and his brother i)ut in a crop of corn the 
next spring, and then came on foot to White Pigeon, 



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>ST. JUSliPll COUNTY. 



403 



u 



loiikiiifi at their wlipat ns tliov ()ass<'(K am) sponding 
two (lays tliiMi', tlic3' stnitoil hack to see aftir their 
corn. Kast of iiere tliej' met .Iiidge Stiirgis and 
family, May 'J, 1 8-2H, ami they tiirne(l ami came 
liack lo help the .Judge put in his spring crop, he 
having stopped at Mr. Allen's place and brought 
their two yoke of oxen along with him. They 
helped him for three weeks, and then returned to 
Allen's farm, forty-five miles distant, to attend to 
theirown crop. Our subject's father, having regained 
his lieallh, came here in the fall of I82M and bought 
a tract of land, which he afterward improved into 
ft fine farm. With the assistance of his .sons he 
luiilt an unhewed log cabin, with knees and weight 
poles to keep the clapboard roof in place. 

In those days Indians were numerous, but were 
|x»aceable and very sociable. Hears, wolves, minks, 
beavers, muskrats. otters, deer, and other wild ani- 
mals, were very plentiftd in the forests, butoursub- 
ject was too bn.sy to hunt much, lie once, how- 
ever, killed a fine bear, weighing about 300 pounds, 
and the next day (iov. Cass, on his way to hold a 
treaty with the Indians at Bertrand, near where 
Xiles now is, j)aid him a visit, remaining over 
night, and was feasted on bear steak. The next 
morning when he departeil on his mission Mr. 
Thurston gave him half of the bear to treat the 
Indian^ on. 

.September!!. 1H32, was an eventful day in the life 
of our subject, as on that date he was united in mar- 
riage to .Miss Sarah, daughter of Thoniasand Lydia 
(.I(jnes) .Uines. .She w.-js a native of I'ittsley, I'a., and 
was born April 22, 1812. Their marriage was blessed 
to them by the birth of ten children, six of whom 
live, namely: Lydia, Sarah, Catherine, Phcbe, Ma- 
tilda, Alice and GriMln I), (i. The wife of our 
subject closed her eyes to the scenes of earth .Sept. 
10,1883. They had lived together fifty-one years 
and one day, and their unusually long period of mar- 
ried life was t>neof happiness from beginning to end. 
She was a type of the noble pioneer women who, by 
their presence, cheerful assistance and self-abnega- 
tion, inspired and encouraged their hnsbamls, fathers, 
brothers or lovers, in the gigantic labors of clearing 
and preparing the land for culture, and building 
up comfortiible homes in the wilderness that once 
prevailed here. .She was a good Christian woman 



and a f.'titliful member r)f the Baptist Church. As 
no sacrifice was loo great for her to make for her 
home and loved ones, so the needy, sick and poor 
were never .allowed to suffer when she could succor 
them. In her good work she was heartily seconded 
by her husband, whose great heart feels for 
'the sorrows and troubles of the unfortunate, 
and he is never so happy as when he can relieve 
them. In the early pioneer days, when the hard- 
ships and privations of the settlers were often very 
bitter, their kindness and bounty to those less able 
and poorer than tliemselves called down blessings 
on them. Besides giving to the poor around his 
own door Mr. T. gives of his means to support 
benevolent institutions. Our subject is an exem- 
plary member of the Baptist Church, and as " By 
their fruits ye shall know them, " no one has ever 
had reason to doubt the sincerity of his Christianity. 
Mr. Thurston has always led a busy life, and has 
never engaged in any other occupation but farm- 
ing. He began to plow when only teji years of 
age, and cfmtinued to till the soil until his retire- 
ment to private life in the fall of 1888, thus making 
over seventy years of active farm labor. He has 
always loved the Sturgis Prairie ever since he set 
bis eyes on it for the first time in that summer so 
long ago, and he still owns eighty -six .acres of land, 
which he lets to tenants, but he has given much of 
his original homestead to his children as each began 
life for herself or for himself. He was .active in 
the public life of Sturgis in its early days, and was 
the first Assessor of the township. He was promi- 
nently identified with the .State Militi.-i, and was 
Ensign of a company. 



JIJOIIN WKSLKY .IKWKLL. The Krapire 
|{ .State has produce*! some of the best elements 
|{ of social and business life, men who have 
fj migrated from her borders to all |)ortions 

of the (ireat We.st. and contributed of their intelli- 
gence and capital to the development of its re- 
sources. .Vmong these the subject of this biography 
deserves more than a passing mention. A native 
of .Vllegany County, he was born in 1823. and 
when a little lad of six years came with his par- 



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404 



ST. .JOSKPH COUNTY. 



•f 



ents to ^licliigan. jiikI developed into manliood 
amid the scenes of pioneer life iu St. Joseph 
County. In the meantime he obtained such educa- 
tion as was given in the public schools, and from 
his youth up has lieen a tiller of the soil. In con- 
nection with tills he operated a threshing-machine 
for a i)eriod of forty -three jears. 

Sias Jewell, the father of our subject, also a 
native of New York .State, was born and reared in 
Diitclu'ss County, where he learned the trade of 
wcavi'r and ;ilso shinirle-inaking'. At the same 
time he was employed consideniblx in farniino; pur- 
suits, sufficient to gain a good idea of the proper 
manner in which to carry on agriculture. In the 
fall of 1832 he emigrated westward, locating in 
Lockport Township, this county, and entered forty 
acres of Government land. lie occupied this six 
years, effecting considerable improvement, then 
sold out and purchased 160 acres in the vicinity of 
Mooiepark in Park Township, of which proiierty 
he retained possession until his clenth. which took 
place in 18G2. lie had married in early iiinnliood 
a French lady; she died iu the East when a young 
woman. They were the parents of two children, 
Snlly Ann and Henry. The former went West, and 
nothing more is known of her; Henry went North 
after marriage with his family. 

The father of our subject after the death of his 
first wife contracted a second marriage, with Miss 
Charlotte Davis, a native of his own State, and of 
this union tliere were born eight children, four of 
whom are living. The eldest. Mary Jane, is the wife 
of Mr. Sylvester Wood, and tliey reside in Tiiree 
Hi vers: John Wesley, our subject, is the second 
in order of birth; the residence of Catherine is 
unknown to our subject, and William 1). is carry- 
ing on farming in Allen County, Kan. .Airs, Char- 
lotte Jewell departed this life at the homestead in 
Lockport Township, in 1834. Sias Jewell was the 
third time married, in Flowerfleld Township, to 
jMi.ss Polly AN'alker. 

The subject of this sketch w:;.s liist married in 
Flowerfield Township in 1851, to Miss Clarissa 
Maynard. a native pf New Y'ork State, who only 
survived a lirief time thereafter, dying at the earh" 
age of twenty-two j-ears. Gilbert and Cyntha 
were the two children born by this union: both are 

4> 



dead. In the summer of 1858 he contracted a 
second marriage, with Miss Lucy J. TJrown. daughter 
of L. G. Brown, the wedding taking place at the 
home of the bride. This lady was bom in Park 
Township, this county, Feb. 19, 1839. Her mother 
was in her girlhciod ^Miss Hester Reigle. Her par- 
ents are both living. 

Of the second marriage of our subject the follow- 
ing children were born, two of wliom are deceased: 
Isadore IL, born Sept. 8, 1859; Ch.arles. Jan. 31. 
18G2; Ellen M., April 4. 18(54; IdaM.iy .and Edith 
Bell, twins. Aug. 31, 18G5; Ida Flora. Oct. 2(t. 18G7; 
Oscar, Sept. 6, 1870; John, July 31, 1 872; and Char- 
lotte, March 12. 1875. Mr. Jewell, as one of the 
pioneers of St. Jo.seph County, and one who has 
been no unimportant factor in its growth and 
develoimicnt. is k)oked upon by the people around 
him with that affectionate regard always due the 
peaceable and law-abiding citizen who has made it 
his business to countenance every enterprise calcu- 
lated to benefit the community at large. He cast 
his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk, 
and almost since the organization of the Repub- 
lican part^- li.as been a stanch supporter of its 
principles. A man prompt to meet his obliga- 
tions, frowning uixm everything wrong and en- 
cour.aging everything right, he is one of those who 
has ni.ide for Himself a record whicli will be re- 
verted to in after years with pride by his descend- 
ants. 

\*i^ H. JOHN U. Wll.LlAM.S. Resident within 
the borders of St. .loseiih County there 
arc many men whose names are an honor 
and credit to its records, and prominent 
among them will be found that of our subject. He 
is a well-known and widely rcsjiected gentleman, and 
is noteworth\ not only for his straightforwardness 
and honorable characteristics, but for that pros- 
perity and success which gild their possessor with 
the light of public admiration. He is one of the 
leading phvsicians and surgeons in this part of the 
State, and resides in White Pigeon, where he has 
a large and growing practice, to which he is devot- 
ing his life and energy. 

This gentleman was born in Columbiana County, 







■^•■ 



ST. .lOSKPlI COUNTY. 



Ifi5 



Oliin. .I:in. 7. IMK;. llii* fatlier. John \l. W illi;niis. 
wti- a iialivi' of Caiiiarvoiisliire, Wales, and caini' 
to .Vnu'iica wla-n he wa,-* .seventoen years of atje. 
ami lived in Haltimore. and later in I'ittshurjrh. for 
twenty years. He then went to Ohio and settled 
near Salem, where he lived nntil 1X72, when his 
rleath oeeurred. Our subjeet was rearefl in his na- 
tive town of .Salem, and prepared liimself in the 
jrood seliools in that town for a eolleijriate course, 
lie then entered .Mt. I'nion College in Mt. liiioii. 
Ohio. In IKC!) Mr. Williams began the study ot 
medicine, .\fter reading under Thomas 15. Will- 
iams, of Angola, Ind.. he attended the Cleveland 
(Ohio) .Medical College; then going to Chicago 
in later years, lie w.as graduated in 1871 from the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons. In addition to 
his regular course in the college, he received special 
instructions from various leading specialists in that 
city. I'nder the instruction of Prof. A. Reeves 
.lackson he was thoroughly instructed in the sci- 
ence of gynecology ; and from Prof. X. Senn, of ^I il- 
waukcc. he received special instruction in opera- 
tive surgery; a special course in genito-ui-in;uy 
surgery under the tutelage of Prof. .1. i". .lelks. of 
Chicago; a thorough knowledge of tlie projier 
treatment and cure of the diseases of the eye w.as 
received from Prof, llarix-r, of Chicago. Prof. II. 
.1. Reynolds, of Chicago, gave him full information 
relative to disea.ses of the skin, and Prof, (iibson. 
the thoroughly informed Professor of Chemistry 
of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chi- 
cago, inducted him into the secrets and mysteries 
of analylic.'d chemistry. Taken as a whole, the edu- 
cation the Doctor has received h.as been very 
conii)lete in .-dl directions, and the immense prac- 
tice he now enjoys is evidence that the people ap- 
preciate it at its full value. 

The Doctor came to White Pigeon in the spring 
of lis7!l. where he has built u)) a large and lucra- 
tive practice among the liest families in this ])or- 
tion of the county. lie .seems to be peculiarly 
ad.'ipted in disposition to the successful practice of 
his profession. Kind and sympathetic at all times, 
his entrancj' into the sick room inspires a great de- 
griH" of confidence in the patient and his friends, 
and when it becomes necessary to jjerform a serious 
surgical operation, the Doctor, though kind and 



gentle as the exigencies of the ca.se will allow, pro- 
ceeds with his duty w'ith a firm and unfaltering 
hand, and for the lime puts all rpiestion of pity 
juside, and is wholly and entirely a scientific sur- 
geon. It was due to the skill which he has evi- 
denced in many successful oi)erations that the 
Lake Shore A* Michigan Southern Railway C'om- 
l)any ap|>f)inted him their local surgeon, which ])osi- 
lion he now holds for the third year. 

The suliject of this sketch was married to Miss 
.Mattie K. Fox..Iune 3. 1H7G; this l.ad\ is a daughter 
of Peter Fox. a resident of (irand Traverse County, 
Mich. They were the parents of one child, Ches- 
ter (;., who died at the age of two years. Himself 
and wife are devout members of the Christian 
Church; he is a member of the I. O. O. F.. and 
stands high in the councils f)f the Knights of 
Pythias. 

There are but few men in the county who can 
count on such a large circle of friends as our sub- 
ject. The degree of iiopularity to which he has 
attained he richly deserves. He is conscientious 
and earnest in the discharge of his professional 
duties, and makes no distinction between his pa- 
tients, treating the poor and humble with all the 
skill, care and courtesy th.at he would extend to the 
family of a millionaire. He recognizes the fact 
that every human creature is one of God's chil- 
dren, and in times of sickness and suffering no 
one is more deserving than another. He and his 
good wife take an active part in the social life of 
the town, are both kind-hearted and generous, .ind 
any community in which they live may well be 
proud of their presence. 

-^ ■ 43 ' c|: ' ^~ 



JOHN DIDKR is one of those energetic, 
hard-working, industrious German-Ameri- 
can citizens who have contributed .so largely 
to the welfare of their adopted country; 
he is now a resident of White Pigeon. He 
was l)orn in Bavaria, (iermany. May .'). 1S17, in 
which country he lived until 1X4. 'J, when became 
to America, and .«ettled in M«mroe County. Mich. 
Our subject entere<l the service of the Lake 
Shore Railwav. which was then under construction. 



*~ 



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4G6 



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ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



tlie nature of liis employment requiring his pres- 
ence in sever.al places, at (lltTiTeiit times. In 18.02 
he came to White Pigeon, wiiere he lias lived ever 
since, engaged in the service of the railroad com- 
pany until December. 1884. lie w.is married in the 
spring of 1846 to Mary Hetzner; siie was a native 
of Germany. They were the parents of eleven chil- 
dren, seven of whom are living, named: .Tohn, 
3Iarv, Carrie. George, Anilrew. Ilattie and Emma. 
.Tolin married Anna Stewart, and resides in Chilli- 
cothe. ^lo., and is the father of tw<^ children — 
Carrie and Jolin; JIary married Lewis Taber, and 
resides in Huntington, Ind.. and she is the mother 
of two children — George and .lolin; Carrie mar- 
ried Daniel W. Kank.a ])ros|)erous baker and busi- 
ness man of White Pigeon, to wliom no ciiildren 
have been born. 

Mrs. Dider. the wife of our subject, departed 
this life Sept. 27, 1885. She. her husband and a 
larger portion of the family, were meniliers of the 
Lutheran Church. Earnest and consistent in her 
belief, she died with the Christian's hope of a 
brighter and better life in the world to come. 'Mr. 
Dider has earned the confidence and respect of all 
good people. 

IIARLES PETTI 1"KH is a h>comotive en- 
gineer on the Kalamazoo Division of the 
Lake Shore & Micliigan Southern Railroad, 
residing in White I'igeon. He is a rejiresentative of 
that empire on which the sun never sets, alt liough for 
many j'ears he has been a resident of this, his adopted 
country, and h.os become thorouglily imbued witii 
thesi)iritof American progress. He |)resents many 
of the national characteristics of his race. He came 
to .\merica to procure a home. and. being English, it 
is needless to add that he has clung tenaciously to 
his purpose, until the object was attained and he 
now owns a neat and comfortable home, of which 
he may justly feel proud. 

Our subject was born at Great Caybrook, in 
Leicestershire. England, Feb. 14, 1840. His father, 
Nicholas Pettifer. was a native of Northampton- 
shire. England. Charles came to America in 
Febriiarv. IHftfi, landing in Xew York Citv. He 




procured employment in a machine-shop in Brook- 
lyn, L. I., where he worked for three months. 
Going from there to Riciimond. Va., for four 
months he was on a plantation in Caroline County. 
From tliere he went U) Montreal. Canada, where he 
entered the service of the (irand Trunk Railway, 
running a locomotive between Montreal and Island 
Pond, Vt., and Brockville. Canada. At the end of 
two years he went West, and was engineer in tlie 
service of the Cnion Pacific Railroad from Omaiia 
westward. After three months' .service there, lie 
came e.ist to Port Huron, Mich., where he was Act- 
ing ^Master Mechanic on the Port Huron iV Lake 
Michigan Railroad, now the Central (fc Grand 
Trunk Railroad, where he remained for six months. 
He then went to Adrian, Mich., and Nov. 10. 
18G9, ho took charge of an engine on tlie Lake Shore 
ct Michigan Southern Railroad, and has been in 
their employ continuou,sly ever since. 

When only eleven years old our subject began 
working in a machine-shop in Wolverliampton, on 
the London it Northwestern Railroad, where he re- 
mained until \XR(\. Tn the autumn of 1869 he 
came to Wliite Pigeon. He was married, Nov. 10. 
1861. to Sarah Reeves. She was the daughter of 
John Reeves, and he is now deceased. She w.as the 
mother of one child, who is no longer living. 
She died Jan. 17. 1884. Our subject was miyried 
again. Feb. 18. 1884. to Minnie Kl.ayman. the 
daughter of John Klayman, one of the early set- 
tlers of the vicinity. This Lady was born in ^^'llite 
Pigeon. Her father is now dead. She is the mother 
of two children — Edith J. and Charlie. In ad- 
dition to their own children this worthy couple 
have .adopted two orphans. Thomas .and ^lary 
Chapel, now Pettifer (by law), the children of 
Edwin Chapel. Mrs. Pettifer is a inenilu'r of the 
L\itheran Church. 

In Mr. Pettifer the community has a citizen who 
is earnest and thorough-going, devoting his time 
to his ever hazanlous calling. He belongs to a 
sturdy class of men to whom the country at large 
is greatl}- indebted. They are men who under any 
circumstances and conditions, in fair weather or 
foul, early and late, are found at their posts, facing 
danger and death everj' moment of their lives 
while on duty. He pursues a vocation that de- 



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ST. JOSKFH COUNTY. 



467 



ninnds a complete knowledge, and suflieient nerve 
to meet .ind overcome <l.Tii<;er.< .Tiid trouliles. lie 
has led an eeonoiiiieal life and lias aci-nniulated 
aliout him a jilea-^ant and eomfortalile home. He 
is an esteemed inemlier of the Mnsonie fraternity, 
also an active memtier of the H. of I^. K. 



-"^-i-^- 



) 



"iffOIlN G. .SC'IHRTZ is one of the sulistantial 
and financially solid citizens of White I'iir- 
eon. where he is enijaged in the business of 
jfeneral banking, and the manager of well-lo- 
cate<l and highly improved farms, containing .^10 
acres, situated in White Pigeon Townshi|). He was 
lK)rn where lie now lives. Oct. 6. 18.")7. His home 
has always been in this place, where he enjoyed all 
ailvantages for receiving a d.a.ssical education, which 
he completed bj' going through a full course in the 
Michigan rniversity at Ann Arbor, where he w.ns 
grailuatcd with lionors in June. 1881, receiving the 
degree of A. M. He then entered ui>on the study 
of law, with a view lo practicing in that profession, 
which he c<mtinued to the time of his father's death. 
He then entered the Farmers' National IJank of 
Constantine. where he remainetl four years; he was 
Cashier a portion of the time, and was elected \'ice 
President. He is still a stockholder in that concern. 
15y the death of his father he was prevented from 
continuing the study of law. as the various business 
interests flemanded his full attention. 

Our subject is the .son of Daniel and ( harlotte 
(Markham) .Schurtz. The father was born near 
Milton. Cumberland Co.. Pa.. Dec. 12. 181.-,. He 
was a farmer, and when a young man he was a mer- 
«'hant. but his later yeiirs were devoted to agricult- 
ural pursuits. He emigrated to this county in the 
spring of 18.10. when the country w.-js new. He 
died .Ian. 2.'). 1882. He was marrie<l to Charlotte 
Markham. in November. 1846; she is a daughter of 
Aralzamon .and Flora (Case) Markham. Hotli her 
parents were born in C<mne<'ticut ; her father died 
in 1867. and the mother .\ug. 1 1. 1887. at the ad- 
vanced age of ninety-one years. The father was 
the son of Tobias Schurtz. of Oerman descent. 
He is now deeoasod. 

Our subject is the second son of his father's 



family. His brother. Charles H., w.as grnduate<I 
from Hillsdale College, and later married Augusta 
Walker. He ilied in IKH.^, from consumption, at 
the age of thirty-seven years. He left three chil- 
dren — .Vrthur, Zoe and Daniel. His wife and chil- 
dren now live in (ioshen. Intl. The mother of our 
subject came to this county with her |>arents in 
18:18, from Connecticut, The family settled at the 
west end of White Pigeon Prairie in Mottville 
Township, where her father bought a large tract of 
land. He lived there and brought his farm to a 
high state of cultivation. The lady was born in 
Massachusetts. Nov. Id, 1H2:?. Our subject lives 
with his mother on the old homestea<l: the residence 
first erected on the farm was burned in 188i>. bv 
the explosion of a gasoline stove. IJy this fire they 
lost the greater jtorlion of their household effects, 
and were left without even a plate or a knife and 
fork. They erected their present magnificent resi- 
dence in 1886. It is built of brick, is 40x48 feet, 
two stories and a ba-sement. 

The entire establishment is lighted with and the 
cooking is done with gas. which is made on the 
premi.ses from gasoline. The building is warnie'l 
bv hot air from one of the latest improved furnaces, 
located in the ba.semeut. Hard coal is used for 
fuel. Kach room in the house has a cold and a foul 
air chamber which connects with a Hue adjoining 
the chimney, and by this system all the vitiated air 
is drawn off. and the entire house is kept con- 
stantly supplied with pure air from the outside. 
The house is also equip|ied with all necessary 
bathnMims. water-closets, sewers, and the latest 
appliances calculated to bring the residence to 
the highest |tossible sanitary condition. A larire 
tank in the top of the house is filled with soft 
water, which is carried from the roof during the 
rainy seasons into the tank. When the tank is 
filled the surplus water j)a.s.ses through an over- 
flow pipe into large cisterns underneath the house. 
From this t.ank the soft water is supplied to all 
parts of the building. The entire house is fur- 
nisl>.e<l in an exceedingly lavish manner from 
kitchen to parU)r. 

The old hvmiestead, fin which our subject ri-sides 
with his mother, contains 200 acres, and his brother 
Charles, at the time of his death, owned a farm ad- i 



h' 






J^ 



.t 



468 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



joining; which contained 340 acres, tlie manage- 
ment of which, in addition to the lionie farm, 
devolves on our subject. Tlie entire tract of land 
under his control is devoted to general farming, is 
thorougiily equipped with all labor-saving devices, 
and a full complement of the necessary- barns, 
cattle-sheds and other out-buildings for the prolita- 
hl(> conduct of the business. 

Kroni the foregoing sketch it i^i obvious that Mr. 
Schurtz baa always fully availed himself of all the 
l)rivilogcs of instruction to wiiich lie found .access. 
A distinguishing characteristic of liis is the posses- 
sion of a great quickness of mind and a talent to 
grasp the details of any matter or business that 
may claim his attention. He takes a leading place 
among the noble, high-minded citizens of the 
country, who are foremost in all matters pertain- 
ing to the educational and ])olitical advancement 
and general welfare of the public in the communi- 
ties wliere thev live. 



ANIKL R. PARKER. .lustice of the Peace 
of Sturgis, is an old and time-honored citizen 
^J^^ of St. Joseph County. He was for many 
j^ears a prominent member of its farming 
community, but in 1884 retired to his present 
home in town, although he still owns one of the fin- 
est and best improved farms in .Southern Alichigan. 
His parents, John and Elizabeth (Leiser) Parker, 
were among the earliest pioneers of this county, 
and were well known and highl^^ respected in their 
d.-iy. Our subject, coming here with them in 1830, 
when a bright, intelligent, observing lad of twelve 
j'ears, has witnessed almost the entire growth of 
this and adjoining counties from the wilderness 
that then jirevailed, and as soon .as he became old 
enough he shared the labors of clearing awa3' the 
primeval forests, draining the swamps and other- 
wise preparing the land for cultivation, and li.is 
done his part in promoting the material prosperity 
and advancement of St. Joseph County to one of 
the richest and fairest agricultural regions to be 
found in the Northwest. 

Mr. Parker talks very interestingly concerning 
those old pioneer days, and the hardships and trials 



endureil liy the courageous, patient. self-sacriBcing 
men and women who came here more than half a 
century ago. determined to conquer the wilder- 
ness, and build up for themselves and their children 
comfortable, happy homes. He tells us also of the 
great and almost marvelous change that has been 
wrought by them and their successors within the sixty 
years that he has been here, wherein the primeval 
forests have given way before the march of civili- 
zation to busy towns and thriving cities, as have 
also the malarious swamps and wild prairies, which 
have likewise been turned into smiling and pro- 
ductive farms in many places. Thus by the luind 
of man the verj- face of Nature has been greatly 
changed. The native tribes of the forest who once 
made their home here were still numerous in the 
third decade of this century, they not having been 
removed beyond the Mississippi, and there were 
many wolves, deer, wildcats, turkey's, some bears, 
and a panther was killed at King's I>ake b}' an In- 
dian after Mr. Parker came here. Much of the 
food of the pioneers consisted of game, and our sub- 
ject became an expert huntci', and kept the larder 
well supplied. The people generally made their 
homes in rude log cabins, there being but few frame 
houses here in the early days of settlement, and 
they lived in the most primitive manner, as they 
were obliged to dispense with many luxuries, so far 
were thej' from the centers of civilization. But 
few of the clearings of the pioneers were fenced, 
Messrs. Buck, Sturgis, Hopkins and Stewart bemg 
the only men who had fences around their farms at 
that early date. 

Our subject was born Oct. "27, 1818, in Lycom- 
ing County, Pa. He comes of good stock, and his 
uncle. James Parker, w.as a gallant soldier in the War 
of 1812. The father of our subject was born in 
Lancaster County, Pa., of which .State his mother 
was also a native. In 1823 they removed to 
Livingston County. N. Y., and from there in 1830 
came to this count}'. They settled on a tract of 
wild land on section 1 1, Sturgis, township 8, range 
10, and began the pioneer task of developing a 
farm. 

Our subject grew to a stalwart and active man- 
hood under the pioneer influences that prevailed in 
this count}' in the early daj's of its settlement. He 



•4^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



-•»> 



469 



n'roive<l his pdiication in a subscription scliool, 
which was CDnducleil in a U)g cabin, witli slab 
benches on pins for seats, and a board against liie 
wail for the pupils to use for a desk to write ou. 
lie was reared to the life of a farmer, and lias always 
pursued that callinjj. He has a valuaiile farm of 
140 acres on section 1*2, this township, and also 
owns eii^hty acres on sections 14 and 1.'), sixty 
acres of which are well improved. All the lan<l 
devoted to tillage is under a high state of cul- 
tivation. The farm is finely situated, and is ami)ly 
provided with a good class of buililings. admirably 
adapted to their various uses, ami among them we 
may mention a commodious and pleasant dwelling, 
and a large and substantially- built barn. 

.Our subject was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
J. Aikin, Aprd i;5, 1848. Their pleasant wedded 
life was of brief duration, for Sept. 5, 185G, tiie be- 
loved wife closed her eyes to the scenes of earth. 
She was in evcrj- respect a womanly woman, a true 
homekeeper, of whom it may be .said "It is good 
to know they have been although they are no more.'' 
.She was a daughter of .lohn and Elizabeth Aikin, 
and was a native of Delaware. Of her marriage 
with our subject four children were boin, three of 
whom are still living, .as follows: Olive, who keeps 
house for her father and looks after his comfort; 
Henry, who married Lizzie Wikle, and lives in 
Toledo, Ohio; Homer, who niarrie<l Mary Scher- 
merhorn, and lives on the old homestead ; Ibey 
have one child. J. Bruce, who was born June 5, 
1885, and is a fine little fellow, his grandfather's pet 
and pride. 

Mr. Parker is a man of great practical sagacit}'. of 
sound common sense, and is advanced and pro- 
gressive in his views. He is a stjilwarl Republican, 
uniting with the parly on its formation ; in early 
days he was a Whig, and voted for the hero of 
Tifipecanoe in 1840, and for his granflson, Benjamin 
Harrison, in 1H8K. Ueligiously, he is broad and 
liberal in his sentiments. He is an esteemed mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity anil also of the Grange. 
He was elected .luslicc of the Peace in April. 1883, 
and served so satisfactorily that he w,as re-elected to 
the same position in 1887. He has held the various 
school otlices. anil was Highway Commissioner for 
twij terms. He, however, is not an ottlce-secker. 



l~ 



much preferring the quiet of his comfortable home 
to the distractions of public life, and when he was 
elecleil Supervisor of the town he declined to serve. 
His career through life shows bim to be a man of 
unblemished honor, whose acts are guided by high 
principles, and none know him but to respect him. 

JOHN KKKK.M AN. 11 le most successful far- 
mers are those who were inured to its la- 
bors from boyhood, and of this cla.ss the 
subject of this sketch is an admirable ex- 
ample. Born In Yate.s County, X. Y., July 2, 18.33, 
he was reared upon one of the most ])le.asant farms 
of the Enii)ire State, situated in Milo Township, 
near the city of Penn Yan. His education was ac- 
quired in the common school, and he was trained 
to those habits of industry .and economy which in- 
sured his success in life. He is now one of the 
most prominent and highl^^ resix>cted residents of 
Flowerfield. a man looked up to by his fellow-citi- 
zens, and one wliose personal and business life has 
been eminently worthy of record. 

John Freeman, the f.ather of our subject, was a 
native of New Jersey, and was born Feb. 24. 1788. 
He was a fanner by occui)ation, and departed this 
life at the homestead in Milo Township. Yates 
Co., N. Y., in February, 1869, at the age of eighty- 
one years. The mother, Mrs. Lydia (Briggs) Free- 
man, was born ;^Iay .30, 1804, in Yates County, 
within whose limits she spent her entire life. .She 
too pa.ssed away at the old homestead, before the 
decea.sc of her husband, her death taking place 
about 18."i8. The household circle included ten 
children, five sons and live daughters, eight of 
whom are now living. Benjamin F.. the eldest, 
married Miss Esther Mclntyre. and is farming in 
Harrington Township. N. Y.; Oliver married Miss 
.Sarah (lark, and is living in Clinton County, this 
State, engageil in farming; Elizal)etli became the 
wife of Augustus Bain, anil died in Yates County, 
N. Y., in May. 1887; .Marietta married .Stephen .1. 
Raymond, and they live on a farm in Yates County; 
John, our subject, w.as the fifth child. 

Our suliject continued a resident of his native 
county until reaching man's estate, and was mar- 



f 



t-if^a^ 



,t 



470 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



ried in Milo Township. :Marcli 20, I860, to Miss 
Adelia AVheeler. Tlii.s lady is a native of the same 
county as her liusband, and w:is born Sept. 20, 
1839. Her parents. George C. and Polly (Shaver) 
Wheeler, were natives of Easton, that State. The 
former, bom .Tan. 15. 1804, died June I'.l, 188.5; 
the latter, born Dec. 21, 1807, resides in Yates 
County, X. Y. Of this union there were burn three 
children: Edson W., the eldest, was born April li). 
1863. in Milo Township. N. Y.; he is now a resi- 
dent of Dubuque, Iowa, and in the employ of the 
Chicago, St. Paul lir K.ansas City Railroad. Ella 
D.,the second child, w.is born in Flowerlicld Town- 
ship, this county, April 20. 1868, and married Will- 
iam IT. Weinberg, Nov. 8, 1888. Delia E. was born 
April 20. 1868, and is now the wife of Mr. Fred 
Hammond, a well-to-do farmer of .Schuyler Countv, 
N. Y.; Mr. Hammond is a native of New York 
State. Ella D. and Delia E. were twins. 

Mr. Freeman came to the State of Michigan 
in the winter of 1863, settling in Decatur, occu- 
pying himself thereafter for a ])eriod of one year 
in the lumber business. Later we find him other- 
wise engaged as an emjiloye of tiie Michigan 
Central Railroad Company. After three years of 
this service he came to this county, settling on his 
present farm of 170 acres on section 24. Flower- 
field Township. I'pon this he has effected good 
improvements, and has a ready market for his prod- 
uce at Three Rivers. He lias been foi-tunate in 
his farming operations, having accumulated a good 
property and gathered around himself and his fam- 
ily all of the comforts and many of tlie luxuries of 
life. 

A member of the Republican party since its or- 
ganization. Mr. Freeman cast hi< first Presidential 
vote for John C. Fremont, and h.as remained faith- 
ful to his first principles for a period of over thirty 
jears. .Soon after coming here he w.as elected 
Highway Commissioner for a terra of three years, 
and re-elected, serving from 1868 to li^li). with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to his constitu- 
ents. Later he was made Township Tre.a-surer, 
holding this otlice six years, and w.is subsequently 
elected a Justice of the Peace, being the inenmlicnt 
of this otlice sixteen years. In tiie spring of 1887 
he was elected Township .Supervisor, and re-elected 



in the spring of 1888. In addition to his farming 
operations he has been largely engaged in the buj-- 
ing and ship|)ing of grain. Mrs. Freeman is a lady 
greatly resixjcted in her comnumity. and a member 
in good standing of the Baptist Church. 

The wife of our sui)ject w.ts the youngest of 
seven children, .and her father spent his last years 
in the Empire State. The mother is still living at 
the old homestead in Milo, being cared for by her 
daughter .Janet. One brother. Aaron, died in in- 
fancy; Catherine E. became the wife of William P. 
Capell, a native of Yates County. N. Y.. .and died 
in Milo in 1882; .\ngeline married John E. Harris, 
and died in the j-ear 1874; Carlton is carrying 
on a grain business at Wall Lake. Iowa; he mar- 
ried .Miss Caroline Trowbridge, who dietl in Deca- 
tur. .Mich. His second wife was Miss Cora Bugbee. 
a native of this .State. Minerva married .Archibald 
Th.ayer. of Milo. N. Y.. and resides in that place. 

-. .^^ ^ 



\f OII.X CILOW. The subject of this sketch 
is one of the most thrifty German farmers 
of Flowerfield. the record of wliose life is in 
its main points as follows: He was born in 
the (Jrand Duchy of ^lecklenburg. in 1826. where 
he spent his boyhood and youth and was reared to 
man's estate, receiving a practical education in his 
native tongue. While still a youth he learned the 
trade of tailor, which he followed until coming to 
the I'nited States in 18.57. His first experience .as 
a farmer in the New World was upon the soil of 
Michigan, he coming direc'tly to this county and 
locating in the vicinity of Centreville. Here he 
was employed by the month for one Mr. Patchen. 
and later f)perated the farm of the latter on shares 
a period of five years. luid until 1863. In the fall 
of that year he made his first purch.ase of forty 
acres, and the spring following purchased .another 
fort}' acres adjoining the first. In the fall follow- 
ing he .added to his real estate by the i)urcli.a.<e of 
120 .acres in Flowerfield Township. In 1876 he 
sold this to his son-in-law. He hiis been abundantly 
prospered, and is nuniliercd among the well-to-do 
citizens of the county. 

Mr. Culow was married in While Pigeon. April 



t 



•» I I 4* 



■•^Hh-^ 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



471 



17. 18.57. to Miss Sopliia Timm. Tliis lady was 
also .a imtivc of (K'niiany. and born in 182!(. She 
is till' (lauffhtei- of Lewis and llattie Tiinm. and of- 
licr union witii our subject tiiere have been born 
four c-iiildren. of wiioni but three are livinij. The 
elder daujjltter. Klizabetli. is the wife of Christo- 
pher Tinini. a well-to-do farmer of Flowerfield 
Townsliip: Lydia, Mrs. Thomas Holmes, is a resi- 
dent of Marcellus. her husband beinsr a popular 
salesman in a dry-SToods liouse. Their only son. 
Charles, remains at home with his father; he mar- 
ried Miss Henrietta, dausrhter of Henry Cooper, 
of Flowertield. and tliev liave three children — 
Myrtic. John and Klsie. 

Mr. Cnlow is one of the most reliable members 
of the Republican i)arty. a man in favor of the en- 
forcement of law and order, and willing to give 
his support to the measures calculated to advance 
the people. .\s a farmer he has attained a line 
reputation for thoroughness and skill, and stands 
second to none, both as connected with his vocation 
and .ns a member of the community. He and his 
excellent wife are members in good standing of the 
Evangelist Church, and the family is held in the 
highest respect in the township, where they have 
made for themselves a g(x>d record. 



1 



*■ 



OHN (;. NOlMHRir. widely and favorably 
known throughout Flowerlidd and vicinity, 
came with his stepfather. .loseph Noyes. to 
Manchester, Washtenaw Co.. Mrch., when 
a little larl six years of age, from (lenesee County, 
N. Y., where he was liorn Oct. 17. lK2i>. He was 
reared to manhood in this county and acquired his 
education in the common scIi(m>1s of Flowcrliehl 
Township. The family removed to the village 
about 1H.'?(), where .Mr. Noyes carried <m black- 
smithing. 

The parents of our subject wer • .Samuel and 
Sarah (Hicks) Northruj), the latter of whom 
died when »)ver sixty years of age. The father 
was a farmer by occupation, ami upon first com- 
ing to Mii-higan lived in different parts of the 
county, eflijiloying himself at whatever he could 
find t<» do in order to gain a foijtiiold. Our sub- 

4» 



ject in the fall of 18.54 took up eighty acres of 
(Jovernment land in Flowerlidd Township. He 
w.as marrit'd, Aqg. 23, 18J7, to Miss Maria .1. Fonda. 
This lady was Iwrn in Home, N. Y.. Dec. (5. 
IHIl, and in 1H47 came with her parents to this 
county, they settling in Fabius Township. Her 
father, Jacob L. Fonda, was also a native of New 
York .State. He was a farmer by occupation. 
He died in Fabius Township in 1800, at the .age 
of fifty-nine years, five months and ten d.ays. The 
mother. Mrs. Nellie Ann (\'an I'atton) Fonda, 
died at the homestead in Fabius Township, Dec. 
.5. 188(1, at the iidvanced age of .seventy-nine years 
and nine months. She was a member of the Bap- 
tist Church. 

Mr. and Mrs. Northrup began tlieir wedded life 
in Flowerfield Township, and of their union there 
wiis born a family of fourteen children, t«n of 
whom are still living and residents mostly of 
Michigan. Three of the deceased died in infancy. 
Lydia Ann w.-us married. June .30. 1888. to !Mr. 
(Jeorge Hardy, and they are living on a farm in 
Marcellus Townsliip; Sarah J. is the wife of Emery 
.Swinehart. and they live in ^larcellus Township; 
Charl»'s A., a promising young man nearly twenty- 
four years of age, makes his home at Flatbush; 
Miirv L. if the wife of Jackson Homick. of Marcel- 
lus; Oscar F.. Florence. Rlanclie. Clifford. .lohn 
an<l Freddie, are all at home with their parents. 
Mr. and Mrs. Northrup have had a full experience 
of pioneer life. Flowcrlicld at the time of their 
coming here giving little evidence of its present 
imi)ortance. being only a station from which to ob- 
tain supplies. Mr. Northru|) has signalized him- 
self as a thrifty and useful citizen, one held in due 
respect amon'jf his neiglibors. 



\I'SAAC G. BLl.SS. The spring of 18.54 found 
II the subject of this sketch establishing his 
Ji residence on section IC in Flowerfield Town- 
ship, where he had purchased eighty acres of land, 
twent3' acres of which had been broken and upon 
which stood a log house. He hail purchased this 
property of William Wliiled. and at once proceeded 
with its further improvement. He was prospered 




-4«- 



472 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



in liis laliors, bringing this farm to a good state of 
cultivation, erecting the necessary buildings, and in 
(hie lime adding to his possessions until lie became 
the owner of 480 acres, nearly the whole of which 
has been brought to a good state of cultivation. 
It is located about one and three-fourths miles from 
Howardsville, and constitutes one of the most desir- 
able estates in the county. The Bliss family has 
become widelj- and favorably known throughout 
this region as the S3'nou}"ra of all that is substantial! 
and the exponent of the best element of the civili- 
zation of the present day. 

A native of Ontario County, N. Y., Isaac G. 
Bliss was born in the town of Bristol, in 1823, 
and grew to manhood in his native State, acquiring 
a Common-school e<luealion. He was at an earl^' 
.age made familiar with the various employments of 
farm life, and thus upon coming to the new State of 
Michigan was fairly well fitted to enter upon the 
duties before him. He had been married in his 
native county to Miss Louisa Pi.xley, who lived to 
be onl}- a little over thirty years of age, her death 
taking place at their home in Flowerfiehl Township 
about 18C7. Mr. Bliss, on the 7th of June, 18C8. 
contracted a second marriage, with Miss .Margaret 
Huber. This ladj' was born Nov. 2i), 1852, in 
Pennsylvania, and was brought by her parents when 
an infant to Michigan. The latter. George and 
Fanny (liigle) Huber, were natives of Pennsylvania 
and the father a farmer l)y occupation. lie died 
in Marcellus, this Slate, at the age of fifty- four 
years. The mother is still living there, being aged 
about si.\ty-tw<). Mrs. Bliss Ii.ts five brothers ancl 
two sisters. The eldt st brother. Nelson, is a fanner 
in Marcellus Township; Loren lives in Otsego, this 
State; Alfred, Kersy and William are also residents 
of Marcellus Township, the latter making his home 
with his mother and oceup3'ing himself .as a teacher; 
Lucy is the wife of Ransom Butler, and they live in 
We.\for<l County on a farm; Mary is the wife of 
Benjamin ^'all Valkenburg, and they live in the 
village of Marcellus. One brother, .lohn, died in 
Marcellus when tiiirty-thrce j'ears of age. 

There were also five brothers of the Bliss family. 
Joseph, the eldest, was farming in Texas when last 
heard from; Isaac, our subject, is the next in order 
of birth; Joshua is married and lives at Tona- 
♦ 1 



wanda, N. Y. ; John dieil at the home of our subject 
in Flowerfiehl, at the age of fifty-six years. One 
sister. Zilplia. is the wife of Andrew Conklin. and 
lives in Van Biiren County, this State; Jenett. the 
wife of Anson Owen," is a resident of Canada. The 
brothers deceased are: Otis, who died when an 
infant, and Selh, who died in Buffalo at the age of 
fiftj'-eight years. 

To Mr. Bliss ami his first wife there were born a 
fine family of five children: Hiram O. married Belle 
Hull, is a resident of Three Rivers, and a practicing 
attorney and insurance man; Grant is married and 
carrying on farming near the homestead of his father 
in Flowerfield Township; Utith Alice died when 
about three years of age and Phebe KIsie at the age of 
four; William died when a little child of two. The 
mother of these children died at the homestead in 
Flowerfield Township, in 1867. Of the second mar- 
riage of our subject there were born four children — 
Nellie, Ada, Bertha and fi^arl. Nellie w.as born 
.Sept. 6, 1870. married Weslev Guthrie, and died at 
her father's home. June 28, 1888, at the early age 
of seventeen years, nine months and twenty-eight 
years. Ada was born July 8. 1874; Bertha, March 
•28, 1878; Earl, May 6, 1879. 

Ill politics Mr. Bliss is a stanch Republican. 

JAMES THORNTON, a dealer in grain, has 
long been iniimately connected with the pros- 
peril}' of Slurgis as one of its foremost busi- 
^^ iiess men. He is a native of Lake Count}-, 
Ohio, where his birth occurred Feb. 1."). 1820. He 
comes of sturdy New England stock, and from his 
ancestry inheritcil those trails whereby he has made 
life a success. His father, Mathew T. Tlmrnton, 
was a native of New Hampshire, and an early set- 
tler of Lake County. Oliio. Thence he brought his 
family to Jackson County, .Mich., in 1838, and 
settled in Pulaski Township as one of its pioneers. 
In those early days tlie country roundabout was 
mostl}' wild and unsettled, as our subject, then a 
bright, observing lad of twelve years, well recol- 
lects. A few Indians still lingered, and used to 
coinc to his father's house to beg or trade. Wild 
animals were plentiful, and our subject remembers 



-4^ 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



473 



having seen (Iroves of as many as ten or fifteen deer 
at (liffiTt'iit times. IIill!*<l:ile was at that time l»ut 
a feeble setlienuMit, and the oidy railroad in the 
State was the primitive one of wooden strappeil 
rails, with cars drawn b}' horses, whieh connected 
Adrian and Toledo. 

He of whom we write gleaned his education in a 
subscription school that was conducted in a log 
cabin, which was provided with slab benches for 
seats, and had a huge fireplace across one end of tlie 
building, the chimney being of sticks anil cl.ay, and 
the roof of clapboards. After he became of age 
our subject engiiged in farming until 1853. when 
he followed the gold seekers to California, going 
by the Panama route. He mined for gold until the 
fall of 1854, when he came back to .Jackson, Mich. 
In the spring of 1855 he traveled through Illinois, 
and then returning to Michigan, embarked in the 
lumber business at Otsego, continuing in that line 
until October, 1856. Then, after a visit in Jack- 
son, he came to Sturgis and opened a small grocery 
store in an old wooden building on the northwest 
corner of Chicago and Nottawa streets. He carried 
on the grocery business until the spring of 1864, 
when he sold (mt in order to cross the plains to 
Montana, to prospect awhile. He returned in the 
fall of that year, and established himself in the grain 
business in this place. The following winter he 
went to Iowa to engage in buying and feeding 
stock at Wilton Junction, and closing out his 
stock business in June. 1865, he once more came 
back to Sturgis, and resumed his dealings in grain 
ai the old stand, ami has ever since been profitably 
engaged in it, carrying on a large business. He 
owns five-sevenths of the brick l>l<ick on the corner 
where he now has his headquarters, it being on the 
same ground where he first began business here 
more than a quarter of a century ago. The build- 
ing is three stories in height. 33x75 feet in dimen- 
sions, ami contains a store, meat-market, the print- 
ing-ollice of the Journal, an<l a commodious hall 
in the third story. 

.Mr. Thornton has been twice married. His first 
marriage was to Miss Julia .lones. a daughter of 
Horace Jones, of Mendon Township, the date of 
their wediling being Oct. 16, I860. Of the two 
children born of 'iial diiion but one, Hattie, is now 



living. Mrs. Thornton died in 1H72. Mr. 'riiorn- 
ton's marriage to his present wife took place in the 
fall of 1873. Mrs. Thornton's maiden name .was 
Melvina Wing, and she was born in the .State of 
New York. Her father was Jason Wing. Mrs. 
Thornton is a zealous member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and works earnestly for the good 
of the cause. 

Mr. Thornton h.is alw.ij-s been an active, wide- 
awake man, and has h.adan extended and varied ex- 
perience in life. In all his business transactions he 
has conducted himself with the same honest3' and 
piobit}- that long ago gaine<l him the trust and re- 
spect of all with whom he came in contact. He is 
a valued member of this community, and through 
his enterprise h.as added to its material wealth. He 
takes a genuine interest in the welfare of his adopted 
town, and is active in promoting the various meas- 
ures for its advancement, freely using his influence 
and money for that. purpose. In him the Repub- 
lican party of this locality finds one of its most use- 
ful members. 



-!-Hf=S>^=^-i-H 



ri^'Ri:DI-:i{ICK WOODS. This venerable pio- 
IH^®) '"'''^' ^^ Michigan Territory came to what 
iL, was then the Far West as early as 1 833, at a 

time when the deer were roaming plentifully over 
the country and the Indian still hovered around 
the place from which the smoke of his wigwam had 
not long since departed. It is over fifty-five years 
since Mr. Woods took up his abode in this county 
of which he has since been a resident. He is now 
well advanced in ^ ears and has had an experience 
which, if properly related, would fill a good-sized 
volume. In his prime he was more than ordinarily 
active and industrious, and met with success in his 
labors of subduing the soil and building up a 
homestead. He was at one time the owner of 208 
acres of land; he now has 172 acres, but every foot 
of this is in productive condition and fully adapted 
to the rich crops of this section of country. It is 
located in Moltville Township anil forms one of 
the oUI landmarks which will endure long after its 
builder has been gathered to his fathers. 

Our subject is of old New England ancestry, and 



_ ■► __ ■ 4* 



*^i^^ 



474 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 






was born in ^Merrimack County. N.H., Sept. 10, 1806. 
His parents v.ere William L. and Betsey (Dutton) 
AVoods. also natives of the Old Granite State, the 
father born Jan. 7, 1776, and died March 29, 1847. 
His wife. Betsey, was born April 11, 1783, and died 
at the age of sixty-six j'ears. Thej- had a family 
of ten children, the record of whose Itirlhs is as 
follows: That of Frederick, our subject, is already 
given; Maria W. was born Jan. 21, 1808; Dtitton, 
Oct. 19, 1809: Fidelia, Dec. 1, 1811; Jeanette, 
Oct. 12, 1814; Lovillia, June 20, 1816; Julia A., 
Oct. 1, 1818; Benjamin F., Aug. 8, 1820; Will- 
iam D. D., Jan. 17, 1823; George A., July 29, 
1826. Maria, Dutton, Jeanette and Julia are de- 
ceased. Fidelia is a resident of I'ort Hope. Can- 
ada; Lovillia resides in New Hampshire, and also 
George. 

The father of our subject during the latter years 
of his life was a stanch Kepublican, and a regular 
attendant of the Presbyterian Church. Inoccupa- 
tion he was a clothier and miller combined. The 
mother belonged to llie Baptist Church. Frederick, 
our subject, attended the common schools of his 
native State during his boyliood and was also em- 
ployed on the farm. With the exceiHion of four 
}-ears spent in a factory, this has been bis life occu- 
pation. His attention was attracted to the Great 
West in !833, at a time when there were three In- 
dians to one white man in Michigan Territory. 
This was about tlie time of the close of the Black 
Ilawk War, and although various wanderers of the 
different tribes passed through this county after 
Mr. Woods had settled here, he never experienced 
any trouble with any of them. 

Shortly after his arrival in the count}' Mr. Woods 
took up fortj'-seven acres of land, and his career 
was one eminently successful from that time. Ten 
years later found him the owner of 280 acres, 
which even at that time was considered valuable. 
As a young man, he was fond of woodland sports; 
W.1S an expert with his rifle and brought down manj' 
a deer which pulled the scales at 150 pounds. At 
one time upon a wager he drove fifty deer to an 
island, and in one week he had killed six big fel- 
lows, winning the wager. His exi)erience was sim- 
ilar to that of the other early settlers of this 
county, and he displayed in a maiked degree their 



sturdy perseverance, never admitting an}' such 
word as " fail," and closely clinging to his first de- 
termination to st'i}' •• and grow up with the coun- 
try." Like his father before him, his later ye.irs 
have been signalized by a close adherence to Re- 
publican principles. He has never been identified 
with any religious organization, but has always 
been careful and conscientious in his walk and con- 
versation, aiming at all times to do what is right. 

The ancestral history of the AVoods family is one 
of more than ordinarj' interest, and from David P. 
Perkins, of Manchester, N. H., our subject ob- 
tained the earlier records which we herewith sub- 
mit. Samuel Woods was the original proprietor 
of the town of Groton, Mass., where he settled 
prior to his marriage about the year 1662. He is 
supposed to have been the ancestor of all of that 
name in Groton and the adjoining towns. The 
town as laid out originally was eight miles square. 
He ownitl an 11 -acre right which entitled him 
and each of the other original proprietors to an 
equal division of the common lands of the town- 
ship in jjroportion to the number of acre rights 
which they severally owned. His residence lot was 
situated a little south of the Lawrence Academy. 

To Samuel Woods and Alice, his wife, there were 
born the children named as follows: Thomas, 
M.irch 9, 1663; Elizabeth, Sept. 17, 1665; Na- 
thaniel, March 27, 1667; Mar}-, Aug. 2, 1670; Abi- 
gail, Aug. 19, 1 672 ; Hannah, July 18. 1674. To 
Nathaniel Woods and Alice, his wife, there were 
born: Nathaniel, Oct. 19, 1694; Daniel, Aug. 10, 
1696; John, March 4, 1698; Isaac. Feb. 20, 1699; 
Bathsheba, April 5, 1702; Hannah, March 16. 1704; 
Phebe, Feb. 13, 1705: Aaron, May 26, 1707; 
Moses, July 6, 1709; Reuben, April 11, 1711: 
Phebe, March 13, 1713; Jonathan, June 4, 1716. 

John Woods niiirried Sarah Longley, June 3, 
1725. and his offspring were: Sarah, born May 6, 
1726; John, Aug. 27, 1728 (this one only living 
four days); Susanna, May 5, 1730; Alice, May 30, 
1732; Lucy. May 18, 1735; John. Aug. 1, 1737; 
Benjamin, Oct. 13. 1739: Abigail, Jan. 21. 1745; 
David, Dec. 31, 1746. 

David Woods married Deborah Swallow, and to 
them were born David, April 25, 1771; married 
Miss Brooks, and dieil Oct. 19, 1848. Deborah" 
♦■ 



.ST. JOSKl'lI COUNTY. 




475 



Mrs. McClnre. was liorn Oct. 5, 1772, uiul died 
Au",'. 18, l.S,);?; Snrali. Mrs. Barron, was l)orn May 
11, 1774. aiitl died April 10, 182.'); William L., 
born Jan. 7, 1770, married Betsey Dutton,and died 
March 20, 184G: Kzra. born Jan. 12, 1778, married 
Miss Lyon, and died Nov. 0, 18GG: Warren, born 
March 12, 1780, married Deborah Brooks, and died 
Jnne 22, 18G6; Silas was born Nov. 23, 1781, anil 
was kill(Ml at the battle of Little Rock, Canada 
West, April 27, 1813, unmarried: Emerson was 
born March 21, 1783, married Miss Richardson.and 
died July 10, 1802; Charlotte, Mrs. Isaac Farley, 
born Aug. 25, 1785, and died Dec. 2, 1850; Ziba 
was born Feb. 22, 1787, married ILaniet M. Smith, 
and died Aug 4, 1809: Imri was born June 14, 
17811, niMiried Hannah Patterson, and died Feb. 10, 
180'J. The wife of Uncle Ziba was the grand-niece 
of the celel>raled Ethan Allen. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject died 
about the year 1790, and his widow subsequently 
married an Eastman, and moved to Iloliis, N. H., 
where she dieil. After their father's death the 
children separated and provided for themselves as 
best they could. William L., Ezra. Warren, Em- 
erson and Imri lived and died in New Hampshire. 
David died in Ohio; Deborah and Sarah in Ver- 
mont; (harlotle in New Hampshire; Zilia in Illi- 
nois. 

Phiiindia Fowler was born March 22, 1803, and 
married to Frederick Woods April 22, 1833; she 
died March 2, 1843. Mr. Woods then was married to 
Mrs. Lucy Stuart, Jan. 30, 1844. Mrs. Lucy Woods 
died Nov. 7, 18.jy, at the age of fifty-seven years 
and eight months. Jeanetle died March 10, 1847; 
William L. died March 29, 1847. Mr. Woods was 
a third lime married, to Miss Caroline A. Vankirk, 
July 18, 1860. She was born July 14, 1835. 



— MN^ 




4 



.VNIF.L B. BLUE has been a prominent 
figure in the growth aiid development of 
Mottville Township, and there is in con- 
nection with his life and character a rec- 
ord of more than ordinary interest. A native of 
Northumberland County, Pa., he was! born April 7, 
1840. and leaving that region in his childhood came 



to this county with his parents, they locating on a 
tract of (iovernnicnt laud near tlie present site of 
Three Itivers. It will rcarlily be guessed that his 
parents were of more than ordinary intelligence 
when W(' find that he wa.s given a tirst-d.ass e<luca- 
tioii, completing his stiiilies in Hillsdale C<»llege. 

About this time the outbreak of the Civil War 
called forth the best element-; of patriotism in the 
country, and young Blue wjts among the first of 
those who signalized their desire to have a hand in 
the preservation of the Union. His hopes, how- 
ever, were doomed to disappointment, .as lieing a 
non-resident of Hillsdale he was not accepted as a 
volunteer. He conse(|uently remained at the home- 
stead, and in due time was n]arried. He and his 
3'oung wife commenced the journey of life together 
on the old farm which he still occupies, and which 
remained the home of his honored parents until 
thej' departed hence. 

Isaac Blue, the father of our subject, and a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, was born May 5. 1809. Dur- 
ing the years of his early manhood he evinced more 
th.in ordinary skill as a mechanic, and his services 
were much in demand. He was equally as good a 
farmer, and spent the closing years of his life en- 
gaged in agricultural |itirsuits. He was called from 
his earthly labors April .'>, 1875. He was an influ- 
ential member of the Presbyterian Church, in which 
he had held all the oflices and contributed liberallv 
to its support. His wife. Catherine Bellmyer. was 
born in Montour Count3-. Pa., in November. 1812, 
and they were married in 1830. They remained 
in their native State until after the birth of their 
six children. The record of these is as follows: 
Miss EUie Blue became the wife of Frank Wilson, 
real-estate dealer of Faribault, Minn., and they 
have two children; Margaret married Horace Rey- 
nokls. who oi)erates a vegetable farm of forty acres 
in the vicinity of (iolden City. Col., and the\- also 
have two children; Daniel B., our suliject, was the 
third child; John B.. the youngest son. married 
Mi.ss Jennie Boudman; they reside in Constantine 
Township and have three children, all daughters. 

When the parents first located in this county the 
Indians were still roaming over the country, and 
on his way to school Daniel B. often encountered 
deer and bears, which tied at his approach. They 



•^f^^ 



470 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



*t 



sojourned on the land wliieli tliey first inircliased a 
period of seven years, then purcliased a jiartially 
improved farm of 112 acres, eighty of this being in 
timber. In due time there were added thirty -two 
acres, and in 18(52 seventy acres. This land is all 
in one body. ;nid makes cme of the finest estates in 
the county. 

The parents of oui- subject after the marriage of 
their sons removed from the farm to White Pigeon, 
where they remained until the death of the mother, 
which occurred Oct. 11, 1879. She was a member 
in gO(jd standing of the Presbyterian Church. The 
father then lived around among his children, and 
spent considerable time in traveling. His death 
occurred in Constantine 'rownshii>on the old home- 
stead, April 3, IbS.O. when he wa.s nearly seventy- 
six years of age. He was a man universally re- 
spected bv all who knew him. and an expert hunter. 
Daniel B. excels in the use of the rod ami line. 

Our sul>ject upon emerging from the district 
school took a course of study at Hillsdale College, 
and afterward was for a number of terms engaged 
as a teacher. On the 22d day of October, 1867. he 
was married to Miss Kittie L. I.averty. of Constan- 
tine Township, and in due time there were gathered 
arouud their hearthstone seven children, all of 
whom are living and at home with their parents. 
Their eldest son, Charles T., was liorn in Mt)ttville 
Township, March 13, 186!), and in 1887 was grad- 
uated from the White I'igeon school; he is now one 
of the most jiopular teachers of the county. M.ittie 
was born Aug. 14, 1871, and is jjursuing her studies 
in the above-named school, being one of its bright- 
est lights; Harry was bt)rn Oct. 20, 1873, and is 
also attending school at White Pigeon; Minnie 
May was born May 22. 1877, and is pursuing her 
studies in the district school; Frank was born May 
9, 1879, and Katie :\I. Sept. 23, 1882; they are at- 
tending the district school, .lolin .). was born Feb. 
2.'), 188.J, and remains the baby of the f:imily. Mr. 
Blue, politically, is a decided Republican, and al- 
though no ottlce-secker. keeps him.^elf well [losted 
upon current events, and gives his siipjiort to the 
projects calculated to advance the interests of his 
party. 

In the spring of 1880 Mr. IJlue purchased 213 
acres of land, which he now occupies, it being the 



old homestead. This farm is all under a high state 
of cultivation, supplied with substantial and con- 
venient buildings, neatly enclosed and crossed 
fenced, and having all the other essentials necessary 
to the modern rural estate. Politically, he affiliates 
with the Pepublican i)arty. and with his excellent 
■wife, is a regular attendant of the Presbyterian 
Church, to the sui)port of which they contribute 
liberally. 



^^ 



y^ILLlAM liKAKD. Under Sheriflf of St. Jo- 
seph County, and a man finely adapted to 
^J^' his responsible position, is numbered among 
the prominent nienof Mendon Village and vicinity. 
His native place was the town of DeKalb. St. Law- 
rence Co.. X. v.. where he w.as born Jlay 12. 1840. 
His ]>arents were John and Percis (Pcttcngill) 
Beard, who were n.atives of Vermont, where they 
were reared and married. 

John Beard soon after his marriage left >«'ew 
England with his young wife, and took up his abode 
in St. Lawrence County. N. Y.. where he carried 
on farming successfully and lived to be seventy- 
eight years c>ld. his death taking place April 19. 
1875. Leaving the Empire State in 1843 he came 
to ^lichigan. locating in Waukesha County, where 
both ])arenls spent their last years. The mother 
survived her husband until 1881. |iassing away 
when eighty-four years old. The family is of 
Scotch descent, and were originally numbered 
among the solid element of New England. The 
father was successful in his labors, financially, 
and accnmidated a comfortable property. Their 
children, twelve in number, were named respect- 
ively: Caroline. Adeline. Ceorge. AVarren. Samuel. 
Eveline L.. lAniisa. Holding, ^laria, William. Dex- 
ter and Leveret. 

William Beard was reared a farmer's boy. and 
conipletc<l his studies in the district school. He 
came to -Michigan with his iiarents in 1844, and 
commenced farming on a tract t>f wild land, fol- 
lowing this occupation until 1878. He then di- 
rected a portion of his capital into mercantile 
channels, engaging in general merchandising .it 
Leonidas. and was thus occupied a period of nine 
years. At the expiration of this time, selling out. 



»» ■ 4* 



>» ■ <• 



ST. .lOSKl'Il COUNTY. 



lie nindc arraiifreincnts to enter upon his oflicial 
enreer as I'nder SlierilT of St. .losepli County. In 
the (lisclinrn-e of his duties lie has made some d;ir- 
in<j arrests, and proved himself a couraireous and 
etliciont otHeer. Politiealiy. he atliliates with the 
Hepul>liean party, and has been (|uile prominent 
amonir its councils, olliciatinjf as Chairman of tlie 
Republican Club, and otherwise workinij in the in- 
terests of his |)arty. lie has been T<iwnship Treas- 
urer two years, and is President of tlie Driving 
Park Association. .Socially, he belongs to the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, in which he is a Senior Warden, 
and by virtue of that ollice has frequently olliciated 
in the Master's Chair in the absence of its regular 
imcumbent. He is a great admirer of the princi- 
ples of Maiionry, and during his twenty-two years' 
association with the fraternity has fully acquainted 
himself with its designs and labors, tinding them 
notlung l)ul good. He is also a K. of I'., and a 
member of the I. O. O. V. In the latter he has oc- 
cupied the various offices of his lodge. 

Miss l>ydia Nichols became the wife of our sub- 
ject in 1868. and of this marriage there were no 
children. Within the last year Mr. Heard has 
erected a tine cottage in the eastern part of town, 
witli a good barn and other conveniences, the whole 
forming a snug home for some fortunate family. 
In .Mecosta County he has .'^id acres of good land, 
improved with the necessary buildings, and op- 
erateil bv I. W. Ferris. 



'^->^:i^^it><^«?-^ 



t 



V.\l -I. KNAl'SS. the leading liarne-ss and 

fturf goofls manufacturer of Mendon Village. 
deserves no unimportant notice in a work of 

this kind. He carries on <iuitv an extensive busi- 
ness, being not onlv a manufacturer of, but a flealer 
in all kinds of road vehicles, besides their locomo- 
tive [lower — horses. His establishment is located 
on the south side of Main street, and he enjoys the 
|)atronage of the best element of St. .loseph Countv. 
Of excellent Pennsylvania sUx'k. our subject was 
born in Northampton County, that .State. Feb, 27, 
IH.'il, and is thus a man in the prime of life. He 
W!is reared on a farm until a lad of fourteen years, 
then with the natural desire i>f voiith for change. 



repaired to the town of Hath and commenced an 
apprenticeship at the trade of a harness-maker, serv- 
ing three years. .\t the expiration of this time he 
journeyed eastward to Newark. N. J., where he wa> 
employed as a journeyman one year. He now de- 
cided to visit the West, and accordingly in the 
s|uing of IHC'.l came to Michigan. 

Mr. Knauss upon coming to this State located 
first at \'icksburg. Kalamazoo County, but not be- 
ing particidarly jileased with the country in that 
section made his way to Memlon. this county, and 
worked at the h.'irness trade two years. He had 
been fortunate in saving something from his earn- 
ings, and invested his little capital in livery stock, 
carrying on business in this line four years. Then 
selling out he established a harness business at 
Colon, where he operateil two years. Selling out 
there also he returned to Jlendon. Oct. 2. 1877. of 
which he has since been a resident. 

In this place .Mr. Knauss made the acquaintance 
of the lady who afterward became his wife, he l)e- 
ing married. Feb. 18. 187J. to Miss Ksther Wool- 
ford. Mrs. Knauss w:l>^ liorn Nov. 1. 18.')5. in 
Randolph County. Ind.. and is the daughter of .lohn 
and Mari.aii ((iable) Woolford. wiio were both na- 
tives of Indiana, and are now living in Michigan. 
Mr. and Mrs. K. are the iiarents of two children: 
Nettie H.. born .\uril .?. 1H7(!, and ,\nna M.. M.ay 
211, 188;^. The family residence is pleasantly lo- 
cated in the central part of the town, and its in- 
mate--* number many friends among the people of 
this vicinity. 

Jlr. Knau.ss carries about ^."i. 0(1(1 worth of stock, 
and gives employment to ten men, operating the 
largest shop of the kin<l in .St. .loseph County. As 
a harness-maker he h.os few cquids. and has manu- 
facturcKl harness worn by the fastest trotters in the 
I'nited .States, among them "Roy Wilks." who shows 
a record of 2.12i. It is hardly necessary to say 
that these fast horses require the finest and best 
made harness, both for safety and good work. The 
liriKluct of the shop of Mr. Knauss finds a market 
all over the I'nited States, from Maine t<i Califor- 
nia. Considering the fact that he commence<l in 
life a poor boy, (le]>endent upon his own exertions, 
his career h.as been one remark.-dile for |>erseverance 
and industry. While serving his time without 



^ 



478 



ST. .lOSEPH COUNTY. 



^i^l-* 



i 



t'oin])eiis{itioii from liis employer, lie was obliged to 
work in tiie harvest field at intervals to obtain his 
clotiiing. He now occupies a good position .amoDg 
his fellow-citizens, .sociall}^ and financially. He 
votes the straight Democratic ti;ket. and has been 
a member of the City Council a period of five 
years. He is also Secretary of the Driving Park 
Association, in which position he has served three 
years. 



UI LLI A M B. W Y A N DT. Over thirty years 
ago. in the spring of 1856. the subject of 

W^ this sketch journeyed from his native State 
of Pennsj'lvania to the promising young common- 
wealth of Michigan. Like most of his brother pio- 
neers, his pockets were nut filled with silver and 
gold, and he commenced life in the West on a 
moilest scale, locating on a tiact of wild land on 
section 23 in Flowcrfield Township. Since that 
time he has mostl}' been a resident of the Wolverine 
State, watching its growth and prosperity, and eon- 
tribnling his industry and worth}- qualities ps a 
citizen to her development and re|nitatiun. 

Our subject is the oflfspring of substantial stock, 
his father, John Wyandt. also a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, having been born in Union Coutity, Jan. 30, 
1799. He married Miss .Tulia Ann Barbin. a native 
of the same count}', and who was born Ma}- 8, 
1801. The parents accompanied their son to the 
West, and died in Flowerfield Township, this county, 
the mother Oct. 8, 187G, and the father Jan. 30, 
1887. The household circle included twelve chil- 
dren, eight of whom are living. Catherine became 
the w-ife of Samuel Siiiggeluiyer, and isa resident of 
P'abius Township ; John chose his home in the Buck- 
eye State, and is now- a resident of Tuscarawas 
County; Lewis died at the old homestead. Sept. 16. 
1883; Polly is the wife of David Kline, and lives in 
Flowerfield Township; Joseph is carrying on farm- 
ing in P'lowerfield Township; Elizabeth is the wife 
of Isaac Smith, a well-to-do farmer of Mottville 
Township; Hannah is a resident of Mottville Town- 
shi|), and resides with her brother-in-law, Isaac 
Smith. 

William B. Wyandt was born in Decatur Town- 
ship, Mifilin Co., Pa., Dec. 24. 182S, where he 

^> 



developed into manhood and acquired a common- 
school education. In the meantime he learned the 
trade of blacksmith, which he followed in his native 
State until coming to Michigan. Although after- 
ward working at his trade considerably, he was 
soon seized with a desire for farm life, but not until 
he had operated for a time as a blacksmith in Van 
Buren. Lagrange Co.. Ind. Thence he returned to 
Michigan in the fall of 1805, and purchased a farm 
on section 23 in Flowerfield Township, where he 
also erected a shop, which he conducted in con- 
nection with agriculture, and which proved a great 
convenience to both himself and his neighbors. 

In the spring of 1878 Mr. Wyandt disposed of 
his property in this county, and crossing the Mis- 
sissippi jiurchascd 160 ncrrs of land in Garfield 
Township, Pawnee Co., Kan. Two years later, 
however, he came back to Flowerfield Township, 
and in the spring of 1 880 purchased his present 
farm. He still retains his Kansas property. In the 
spring of 1883 he moved to the old homestead on 
section 23. where he has since resided. Over thirty- 
four years ago, on the 3d of August, 1K54, he was 
married, in Snyder County, Pa., to Miss Judith 
Ranch. This lady was born in Middleburg. Union 
County, March 29, 1835, and is the daughter of 
Henry and Rebecca (Siep) Raucli, who were also 
natives of the Keystone State, and who sjjcnt their 
last years in Pennsylvania. 

To our subject and his excellent wife there were 
born six children, one of whom, a little daughter, 
Lucina, died when eleven months ("Id. The eldest 
son. John II.. was born Jan. 27, 1856, and was mar- 
ried to Miss Jennie Rand, of Miiuicapolis, Jlinn. ; 
he is now a resident of .St. Paul, Minn., and is oc- 
cupied as a railroad engineer. M.ary Ann was born 
Sept. 12, 1858, and married Daniel T. Fox. a native 
of .St. Joseph County, this State, and the son of the 
well-known Charles Fox; they are living in Inde- 
pendence, Kan., where Mr. Fox is employed as 
a mason ; they have one chdd, Myrtle Orrilla, 
born Oct. 31, 1882. Irven, born July 28, 18C1, 
remains at home with his parents; Charles, born 
Juno 28, 1864, is also a railroatl man, makir.g his 
home near his brother in St. Paul; Fred Loren was 
born Sept. 28, 1866, and is now at home; Lucina, 
born May 29, 1870, died March 28. 1871. 




-4^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, 




During llie progress of the late war Mr. WvaiiHt 
eiilisleil US a L'liioii soldier Sept. 3, 1HG4, in Com- 
pany A, 142(1 Indiana Infantry, serving until the 
elosc of the war, doing duty mostly in Tennessee, 
and being mustered out at Nashville. June '28, 
IrtGo. Politically-, he is a sympathizer with the 
Greenback and Union Labor parties. Both he and 
his estimable wife are connected with the United 
Brethren Church, attending services in this town- 
ship. 

-^m- 

'^1^,-^ III AM CASE is an old and honored resident 
of St. Joseph Count}', he having lived here, 
^^' with the exception of three years spent in 
■S0I Indiana, ever since 1834, there being but 
few men now living who were here at that earlj- 
period in the settlement of Southern Miohigan. 
For many years he was actively and prosperously 
identified with the farming interests of the county, 
but having gained a competency he has lived in 
retirement in his comfortable home in Stiirgis since 
1874. He still owns, however, a farm in this town- 
ship, which, in point of improvement and cultiva- 
tion, is as valuable as any within a circuit of many 
miles, and from it he derives a good income. Mr. 
Case was a boy of fifteen when he came to Michi- 
gan in Territorial days, fifty-five years ago, and he 
has thei'efore witnessed the great strides that this 
part of it has made from its primeval wildness to 
its present high state of civilization, and as soon as 
he was old enough he took a hand in its develop- 
ment, and has done his share toward promoting its 
grt)wt!i. 

Mr. Case was born in the town of Spencer. Tioga 
Co., N. Y., March 20,1819. His father, William 
Case, was a native of Hebron, X. Y., and was there 
rcare<l and married. Miss Polina Rohelee, a native 
of Washington Count}', X. Y.. becoming his wife. 
When our subject was quite small they removed to 
Ontario County, N. Y., and there the father died 
in 1H31. His wife died in 18.^)0. 

Hiram Case spent the early years of his boyhood 
in Tioga and Ontario Counties, gleaning an educa- 
tion in the primitive schools of those days. After 
his father's death he went to Washington County, 
in the same .State. Jiud from there came to Con- 



stJintine, in this counly. in 1834. April 7. 1842, he 
was married in that place to Miss Laura Kelohiim, 
and in their pleasant wediled life of forty-seven 
years nine children have been born to them, six of 
whom are living. Tlie deceased were Richmond 
(who <lied Sept. 7, lM8i), at the age of thirty -eight 
years), William au<l Harriet. Those living are 
Mary. Caroline, George, L. Alice, Sarah an<l Eben T. 
Mary married Albert Ives, and they had one child, 
Hiram. Mr. Ives died, and Mrs. Ives married 
John Edwards; by this marriage she has three chil- 
dren — George, Laura and Carrie. Caroline mar- 
ried Delos Weatherwax, who is no'.v deceased, 
leaving one child, Lewis Edwin; George married 
Matilda Beck, and they live in this township, and 
have two children — Hiram E. andZella; Alice mar- 
ried Minor Hil)l)ard. of this townsiiip, and they 
have two children — Clarence and Arthur; .Sarah 
married George Hopkins, of Sturgis, and they have 
one child, Eben ; Eben T. is Postmaster at Esconada, 
Cal. Mrs. Case was born in Allegany County, N. 
Y., July 23, 1823. Her parents, George and Sa- 
rina (Gray) Ketcluim, were natives of Connecticut 
and Massachusetts. In 1835 they left their home in 
Allegany County, N. Y., and settled on White Pig- 
eon Prairie, thus becoming pioneers of this county. 
They died in Illinois, the former Nov. 18, 18G5, 
and the latter July 4, 18G1. 

In the spring of 1843 Mr. Case removed to a 

] farm in Park Township, this county, and was act- 
ively engaged in agricultural pursuits in that place 
until March, 1854. At that time he moved to La- 

1 grange County, Ind., and remained there until 
March, 1857. Then, settling his affairs there he 
returned to this State, and took up his residence in 
Sturgis Township. In the busy years that followed 
he devoted himself to the management of his farm, 
and so well did he succeed in its cultivation that he 
was enabled to lay up a handsome competence, and 
ere old age, with its attendant atHictions. came upon 
him he was justified in retiring from the hard labor 
and cares of a farmer's life to as cozy and neat a 
home as can be found in the town of Sturgis, going 
there to live Dec. 14, 1874. 

In the half-century or more that Mr. Case has 
been a resident of St. Joseph County he has become 
well known, and has ever been justl}' regardeil with 



f 



■«► 



480 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



the gicate.'^l respect niu\ consideration, as he is a 
man of solid wurtli, one in whom his fellow-citizens 
may safely Irnst. He is a man of much jiractical 
wisdom, and holds positive views on all sulijects 
tliat interest him. and he is ospeeiall}' outspoken in 
his political senlinuMits. be lieinji an uncompromis- 
ing Greenliacker, thinking that the oidy party for a 
man to belong to "if he has no ax to grind." Mrs. 
Case is a sincere Christian, and a devoted member 
of the Methodist Kpiscopal Church. 



AMDKN A. HECOX. One of the finest 
Yr"^: farms in Nottawa Township belongs to the 
subject of liiis biograi)iiy, and comprises a 
(^ valuable tract of land 360 acres in extent. 
Upon it he has erected good buildings, with an es- 
peciail}- fine risidence. which, with itssurrouiidings, 
forms the ideal rural home, and indicates on all 
sides taste, culture and mean.*. Mr. llecox is a 
gentleman born and bred, as is indicated in his 
daily life, meeting both friends and strangers in 
that courteous manner which at once gives the 
most decided indication of his true character. 

Our subject's ancestors emigrated from Ireland at 
an early day (not on the •' Mayflower," however), 
and settled at Durham, Conn. Just 102 ^-ears ago. 
his grandfather, Adna Hecox, started for the then 
wilderness of Central New Y<jrk, stopping at '• Big 
Tree " on the Genesee River, and engaged in survej-- 
ing a large tract of land purchased of the Seneca In- 
dians li}' Robert Morris. The Indian war came on, 
and Adna Ilecox and six others of the surveying 
party were taken prisoners, and for three years 
lived, dressed and assiniulated themselves as far as 
possible with Indian life, to save themselves. The 
defeat of the Indians in the West by Gen. Wayne 
having restored order, Adna Ilecox married, in 
1797, Polly Andress, and with his young wife 
started for the far western Territory of Michigan, 
and settled on Grosse Isle, eighteen miles below De- 
troit, where lliraui A. Hecox, the father of our sub- 
ject was born, in the year 1800. The family con- 
tinued to reside there until war was declared in 
1812. Being surrounded bj- Indians who were 
massacreing the settlers on every hand, they has- 

4* 



tened to Detroit, and were in the fort when Gen. 
Hull surrendered. After tlie war they moved to 
Brownstown. sixteen miles below Detroit, and there 
Hiram A. Ilecox married Relief llazzard. who was 
born in Connecticut, in the j'ear 1800. and moved 
to the Territory of Michigan in 1816 with her par- 
ents. And here on a farm, the deed of which, 
signed by President John Q. Adams, he now has in 
his possession, Ilamden A. Hecox w.as born, July 
19, 1826. ilis father. Hiram A. Hecox, in Decem- 
ber, 1829, witli his wife and two children, Hamden 
and Polly, moved to St. Joseph County, and here 
continued to reside until their death. Neither lived 
to be aged, the mother dying in 1836, and the 
father two years later, in 183.S. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
five chihben, only three of whom lived to mature 
years. These latter were Polly; Hamden A., our 
subject, and Harriet. Polly became the wife of 
Lewis Harris, and died near Ottawa, III., about 
18.^8. leaving a large family of children; Harriet, 
Mrs. Frank Nichols, resides in Perry, low.a. Ham- 
den A. Hecox was reared to manhood in Nottawa 
Township, where, with the exception of two years in 
California, he has spent the most of his life. Mr. 
Ilecox crossed the "plains" in 1849 with an ox- 
team, requiring months to reach the Pacific Slope, 
where he engaged in mining and trade. For a 
period of nine years he was a traveling salesman in 
the agricultural implement trade, while at the same 
time he superintended the operations of his farm, 
hiring men to do the work. 

Mr. Ilecox was married in Nottawa Township, 
Maich 1.5, 1848. to Miss Mariamnee Gee. Mr. 
Hecox after his marriage engaged in farming, and 
the young people commenced their wedded life in 
a log house on the farm upon which Mr. Hecox 
has resided for sixty years. Of their union there 
have been born six children, two only of whom are 
living, a son and daughter, Frank and Katie. Those 
deceased are: Mabel, Frank, Guy and Charles, who 
all died young. Mr. Hecox, politically, is a Re- 
publican " dyed in the wool," a man of decided 
views, liberal and public spirited, and foremost in 
the encouragement of the enterprises calculated to 
benefit the people around him. He has served as 
Township Clerk and filled other positions of trust. 



^!t^f^ 



-4*- 



ST. .lOSKPH COUNTY. 



481 4 



\ 



lie niifl liis fnmily nre rosular altcndants of the 
Baptist C'limcli at Centri'ville. 

Mrs. IIl'cox was liorii in Ann Ailidr. .Mioli., Nov. 
2.). 1831. Her parents were Ik-iijaniin an<l Sarali 
(Cross) Oee, who were lioth liorn in tlie Slate of 
New Yoriv. Their parents moved to Canaila while 
they were yet j'oniijj. wlierc Mr. and Mrs. (iee were 
married in 1827. In 1828 they moved to the then 
Territory of Michi;;an. an<l settled at Ann Arbor. 
In 1836 they moveil to Centreville. Mich. In 18")8 
Mr. (iee moved to the then Territory of Kansas, tak- 
ing up a large tract of prairie land near Ft. Scott. The 
lie'tellion soon broke out. and bein;; a Union man 
the "border rulMans " made it hot for him, and he 
was obliged to al)andoa everything, and returned 
to Mieiiigan, where he died at the residence of liis 
son-in-law. in October, l.S(.!8. Mrs. Gee was after- 
ward married to John Rutherford, of Centreville, 
and died at her home in October, 1887. 

.Mr. and .Mrs. Hecox, in an industrious life of 
more than forty years, have secured a reasonable 
competency, and have retired from active business, 
and say, that having struggled hard to climb up to 
where their shadows begin to lengthen, they would 
like to slide the balance of tiie w.ay down the " hill 
of life." 

— ^g^J^jL^g: • ■ 

§t -VVID KLINK.' There came to .Michigan 
in tiie early days large numbers of the sub- 
stantial Pennsylvania element of wiiomthe 
subject of this sketch is a nuist wortiiy de- 
scendant, lie is now a well-to-do farmer of Flower- 
field Township, to who.se growth and development 
he ha.s contributed by the o|X'ning up of a good 
farm and establishing one of its well-regulated home- 
steails. \ quiet and unobtrusive citizen, he has 
pur>ued the even tenor of his way. attending cliielly 
to his own concerns, but always willing to give his 
influence and his more substantial supiwrt to the 
pnijerts having for their object the best interests 
of the community. 

The native place (jf our subjei't was Snyder 
County, Pa., and his birth occurred Dec. It. 1M2S. 
lie wa.s reared to manlxMMl on the farm and acquired 
a coranion-scli<K)l e<lucation. being at the same time 
trained to habits of industrj- and economy. He re- 




mained a member of the parental IiduscIhiIiI until 
the death of his father. whi<-h (Jccurreil alMiiit 1M27. 
In the fall of 1HJ8 he t-ame to this county, and for 
two yeai^ lived on the farm of his father-in-law, 
Mr. .lohn Wyandt. He then removed to a point 
on tlie Chicago road about three miles west of 
White Pigeon, now known iis the .Shoemaker farm, 
wliich he occupied one year, and then in the spring 
of 18(i2 purcli!i.sed his jiresent place. 

The property of Mr. Kline comprises eighty 
acres of good land, upon wliicli he h.as erected sub- 
stantial Hnd ccmvenient buildings, has fruit and 
shade trees, a goodly as.sortnient of livestock, and 
the farm machinery necessary for jirosccuting agri- 
culture in a satisfactory manner. In 18.J7 he re- 
turned to his native county, anil was unite<l in 
marriage with Miss Polly Wyandt. This lady was 
a native of that county, and was born .\pril 28, 
1835. After their marriage the young people rc- 
l)aire<l to the home which our subject had provided 
in this county, and where they have since lived. 
The household circle was completed by the birth of 
nine children, two of whom died in infancy. The 
survivors are recorded as follows: Mary is the wife 
of Marshall lieaflle. and they are living on a farm 
in Faliius Township; .\lbert .S.. Lewis W.. Charles, 
Allic. William and Olie. arQ at home with tlicir 
parents. They form a bright and interesting group, 
the youngest a lad of twelve years. The family 
belong to the Lutheran Church, and number their 
friends by the score in the township where they 
have made their residence for a [M?rio<l of thirty- 
one years. 

Both the parents of Mr. and .Mrs. Kline were |)eo- 
])lc held in the higliest esteem in their community, 
and all were members of the Lutheran Church. 
Mr. Kline, politically, votes the straight Republican 
ticket, and has supported the principles of that 
party since exercising the right of suffr.age. 

.lohn and Polly ( Bower.sauck ) Kline, the ]iarents 
of our subject, were, like their son David, natives 
of Snyder Connty. Pa. They both i)a.s.sed away 
many years ago. the mother dying in the year 
1K33 and the father alxiut 18J(i. Their family con- 
sistt-d of twelve children, only four of whom are 
living: Rebecca, Mrs. .lohn Kline, a widow, con- 
tinues her residence in .Snyder Countv. Pa., as do 



"•► 



■<• 



i 



482 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



,t 



also the other sister .mil l>rotlicr of our subject; 
Sophiii married Mr. Georj^e Stuck, and has been a 
widow mau}' years; Samuel is a farmer by occupa- 
tion, although mostly retired from active labor, 
being now flfty-cis>:ht years old. The two sisters 
and Samuel live within a short distance of each 
other, the home of the latter being about one mile 
of the sisters. 





ARON P. EMERY. The industrial inter- 
ests of Meiulon and vicinity And a worth}' 
representative in this gentleman, who is an 
extensive grower of peppermint, and dis- 
tiller and wholesale dealer in essential oils. He is 
of substantial New England ancestry, and was born 
in Northampton Count}', Pa., Nov. 3, 1833, being 
the son of Philip .S. and IClizabeth (Miller) Emer}-. 
The parents were also natives of the Keystone Slate. 
and the father a farmer by occupation. They were 
most excellent and worthy people, and in earl}' life 
identified themselves with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which the father served as Cl.ass- Leader 
many years. 

Philip Eraer}'. leaving Pennsylvania in the year 
1860, came to Michigan, and located in Marengo 
Townshi|i, Calhoun Count}-, where he followed 
agricultural pursuits and continued to live until his 
decease, which took place in 1871. He acquired a 
comfortable properly, and was a man held in high 
respect among his neighbors. The wife and mother 
is still living, making her home willi her son, A. P. 
Emery. They were the parents of six children, three 
of whom are deceased. They were named respect- 
ively: .Silas R., George W., Reuben P., Lewis C, 
Susan and Aaron P. 

Our subject was the eldest child of his parents, 
and acquired his early education in the public 
schools. Being of a mechanical turn of mind he di- 
rected his attention to civil engineering, learning 
the business in Belvidere, N. J., where he lived 
until 18.53. Thence he came to Schoolcraft, this 
.State, and for one year thereafter, changing his oc- 
cupation somewhat, was bookkeeper for .ludge 
Dyckman. Later he taught school in Michigan, 



Wisconsin, New .lersey and Pennsylvania. Jn 1855 
he purchased 120 acres of land on section 17 in 
Mendon Township, this county, the greater part of 
it being improved. To this he subsequently added, 
and now has in Mendon Township a fine tract 300 
acres in extent. His residence in the village forms 
one of the ideal homes of the place, and its inmates 
i are surrounded willi all the comforts of life. Be- 
sides this i)roperty Jlr. Eniery has a hardware store 
which is the source of a comfortable income. 

Our subject commenced the growing of pepper- 
mint twenty-five years ago, and about ihat length 
of time has been engaged in its distillaiion. It has 
proved to him a very profitable enterprise. He 
purchased and sold in 1 878 ami 1 87U, 1 5 000 pounds, 
and the year following probably came up to the 
same figure. He also deals in other essential oils. 
His operations extend not only throughout the 
United States, but to all parts of the world, Lon- 
don, and other principal cities of the Eastern Hemi- 
sphere. His long experience in the business has 
made him an expert, while his remarkable business 
talents attract more than ordinary attention. He is 
strong, physically, and has a large and active brain. 
He has occupied many positions of responsibility 
and trust, and is at the present time (.January, 1889,) 
engaged in settling up the business of the bankrupt 
dry-goods firm of Lewis Van Ness, who failed in 
1885, being the choice of the eighteen creditors, 
whose claims amounted to $35,000. The fact that 
Mr. Emery was not required to give a cent of secur- 
ity is ample evidence of the esteem and confidence 
in which he is held in his community. 

In the spring of 1875 Mr. Emery was elected 
Supervisor of Mendon Township, and by successive 
elections held the otlice for a period of nine years. 
He is an uncompromising Democrat, politically, and 
the fact that he received the majority of votes in 
a Republican township is a fact worthy of mention. 
He was selected as Chairman of the County Board 
of Supervisors, and also to represent them in the 
State Board of Equalization, which convened at 
Lansing in 1881. A man liberal and public-spirited, 
he has been from first to last the encourager and 
supporter of religious and educational institutions, 
and contributed largely to the building of the 
church at West Mendon, which would never have 



-^^ 



ST. .lOSKPH COUNTY. 



-4» 

483 



4^ 



i 



l)peii completed lind it not been for liis libernlity. 
lie in early ninnli(M)fl identified himself with the 
Mcth»>dist Kpiscopa! Church, in which lie hns otfi- 
cinted as Class-Leader an(l .Superintendent of the 
Sunil.ay-school. lioldin<j the latter ulHee n period of 
seventeen years. lie identified himself with the 
Masonic fraternity in 1H72. 

Our subject was married to Miss Elizabeth J. 
Hutchinson in 1 8.S5, and tbej- became the parents 
of six children. The eldest of these, a daughter. 
Kinma, died when aliout ci<;hteen years old: I>cwis 
r. married Jliss Minnie Child, and is living near 
Cenlreville; Alice is the wife of Lib Gakill, and 
they live in St. .loseph County. Mich. ; Georgia. 
Mrs. Ryan, lives in Kalamazoo County; Lottie and 
Klla continue at home with their father. The 
present wife of our subject was formerly Mrs. Anne 
(Smith) Manson, the widow of James Manson, by 
whom she became the mother of two children — 
.lohn and .lames. These boys are living at Mendon. 
Mrs. Anne K.raery is the daughter of John anci .Sa- 
rah Smith, the former born in Scotland and the lat- 
ter in Kngland: she was reared in the faith of the 
Catholic Church, to which she still adheres. 



HARLES J. SLOVER. the druggist of Men- 
don, is a native of this county, and was born 
^^f' in Colon Townshi(> during its pioneer days, 
Sept. 5, 18.58. His parents, John S. and Eunice 
(lirown) .Slovcr, were natives respectively of New 
York and Massachusetts. The father engaged in 
the mercantile business. He died in 1 8G0, while in 
New York City purciinsing goods, and when his 
son, Charles J., was a child of two years. 

John .S. Slover came with his widowed mother to 
M ichi^an, locating in Centreville. this count}', where 
he pursued his early studies in the common schools. 
He took kindly to his books, and also learned to 
speak the German language. When a youth of 
seventeen years he entered the employ of Calvin 
Brunson, of Toledo, Ohio, as a traveling salesman, 
and in this capacity visited several of the Western 
Suites with a team, selling tobaccti, and having a 
man to do his driving. He was thus occupied six 
years, and later was employed in a wholesale to- 



■♦■ 



bacco house at Toledo, Ohio. After marriage the 
parents of our subject took up their residence in 
Uurr (Jnk, this count}', and the father engaged in 
mercantile pursuits. Later he removed to Mendon. 
He made his purchases in New York City, and it was 
while upon one of these trips that his sudden death 
took place. He was a man of note in his commu- 
nity, olHciating as Justice of the Peace a number of 
j'ears. and occupying other positions of trust. He 
was reared in the doctrines of the Presbyterian 
Church. .Socially, he l)eloiigs to the Mas<uiic fra- 
ternit}". The mother is still living, and is now the 
wife of Louis A. Leland, who is a leading citizen of 
Colon, and in good circumstances. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
three children: The eldest, a son, Ossian L., died 
when a lad of eight j'ears; Olivia K. is the wife of 
Mr. Leland, of Colon; Charles J., our subject, 
was the youngest of the family at the time of his 
father's death, and lived with his mother until start- 
ing out in life on his own account. At the age of 
fifteen years he entered the drug-store of Mr. Beall 
at Mendon, with whom he remained until the busi- 
ness changed li;inds, in 188.5. Then going to East 
Saginaw he was engaged there in the drug business 
about six months, then selling out changed his 
residence to Coldwater, where he occupied himself 
as a clerk. He returned home in the fall of 1886, 
and purchased a stock of drugs and other articles 
connected with the business, establishing himself in 
Mendon on the south side of Main street, where he 
is now building up a i)rofitable and lucrative busi- 
ness. He, like his honored father, is destined to 
become one of the leading men of his ct)mmunity. 
He voles the straight Republican ticket, and is at 
present a member of the Village Council, having been 
elected to his .second term. He has held the oHices 
of Township Treasurer and Justice of the Peace, 
being elected to the latter in the spring of 1887, 
and still holding the ofHce. In the Masonic frater- 
nity he is .1 leading light, serving as Junior Deacon 
and Secretary of his lodge in Mendon, and other- 
wise laboring for the good of the cau.se. 

On the \2l\\ of January, 1871), Mr. Slover was 
united in marriage with Miss Georgia IJ. Beall, who 
was born in Mendon, this county, April 2, 1 8.59, and 
is a well-educated lady. Mrs. Slover is the daughter 






484 



,t 



ST. .lOSKPII COUNTY. 



of Orson and Mar}- (Miner) Beall. Mr. B. was born 
in Vermont, anrl came to Mit-liijran at an earl}- daj-. 
In addition to iiis business as a druggist he specu- 
lated considerably in land. Kis death took place at 
his home in Mendon in 1886. Mrs. Mary Heall is 
still living, and a resident of Mendon. They were 
the parents of three children, the eldest of whom, a 
daughter, .Inelma K., died some years ago. Mrs. 
Slover was the younger of the daughters. Of her 
union with our subject there have been horn two 
children — .John S. and Juelnia. 

Mr. Slover has a full stock of drugs and groceries, 
and also a full understanding. of his business. He is 
at present (1889) engaged in a very successful en- 
terprise, the compounding and selling of a remedy 
for the cure of headache, neuralgia and rheumatism, 
which has effected some remarkable cures, and bids 
fair to gain him quite a rei)utation. It is known as 
'• .Slovcr's Cure for Sick Headache." 

^ : :g^^ii^r. • . 

„, NDREW J. KAISER, of the firm of Evans 
'full ik Kaiser, the leading grocers and bakei-s 
jll li of Sturgis, is a man of much prominence in 
^/ this community, where he is justly held in 
the highest esteem and respect bj- all who know 
him. He was a gallant soldier in the late war, in 
which he acquitted himself nobi\-, and received 
praise from the ofliccrs under whom he fought for 
his faithful and eflicient services in the twenty-seven 
battles in which he took an active part. 

Our subject was born in the neighboring State 
of Ohio, in Wayne County, is'ov. 2, 1841. His 
father, Andrew Kaiser, was a native of Baltimore, 
Md.. and at the age of sixteen he went to Ohio. 
He there married Axey Harzett, who was born in 
Portage County, that Stale. To them w-ere born 
nine children, of whom the following still live: 
Jacob, Harriet, Mary A., Elisabeth, Solomon, Jeru- 
sha, and our subject. Isaac wjis killed in the 
battle of Shiloh, while fighting for the l^nion, he 
having been a member of a Wisconsin regiment. 
Solomon was in Company G, 4th Wisconsin Cav- 
alry, and served three years with credit. In 1861 
the father of our subject moved with his family to 
.Jackson County. Wis., and there he died in 1863. 



He was a veteran nf the Mexican War. and was a 
man of strict integrit}' and genuine worth. His 
estimable wife, who has attained the advanced age 
of eighty years, now makes her home here. 

When our subject jarrived at man's estate the 
great Civil War was raging in the .South, and he 
resolved to enlist in the defense of the institutions 
of his country, and he became a member of Com- 
pany C, 4th Michigan Infantry, and w.as in active 
service for three years. He took part in the bat- 
tles of Bull Run (1st), Newl)ridge, Hanover Court- 
House, Gaines' Mills, White Oak Swamp, Malvern 
Hill. Harrison's Landing, Culpeper Court House, 
Antietam, Shophcrdstown Ford, Chancellorsville, 
F'redericksburg, Kelley's Ford, Mine Run, Pe.ach 
Orchard, Gettysburg; and he was in all engage- 
ments under Gen. Grant to Petersburg. Our sub- 
ject was wounded at Malvern Hill by a ball in the 
left lower leg. and also by buckshot in the left 
thigh, the shot being in his jjerson yet. At Mal- 
vern Hill he had three guns shot from his hands, 
and a ball, passing through seventeen layers of his 
blanket, knocked him down, stunning him, and he 
was left for dead on the field of battle. His death 
was reported to his friends at home, who mourned 
him as dead, and held funeral services in honor of 
his memorj', in .Sturgis. Both in camp and in the 
field he proved himself to be a brave, capable sol- 
dier, alwaj's read}' at the command of his Captain 
to attempt any feat or dut}', no matter how difficult, 
dangerous or disagreeable, obeying all orders with 
promptness. After the war our subject returned to 
Michigan and engaged in the trade of brickmason, 
going to Hillsdale in 1869 in pursuit of that call- 
ing. In 1881 he returned to Sturgis, and established 
himself in his present business with Mr. Evans. 
The}- are doing well in their line, and have a large 
patronage. By honest industry and shrewd manage- 
ment our subject has acquired a comfortable cou)- 
petence, and he and his family have a cozy and at- 
tractive home. 

Mr. Kaiser and Helen Barton w-ere united in mar- 
riage .luly 3, 1865. She is a woman of fine char- 
acter, a sincere Christian, and a devoted wife 
and friend. She w-as born in the State of New 
York, in Wayne County. May 9, 1843. She is the 
daughter of Josiah and Susana Barton, of Hills- 



*► ■ "»i" 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



>«► 



485 



dnlo, .Mich., and the youngest of a family of nine 
chiiilron. Iler parents were dpvotcd Christians, 
anil strict nicnibcrs of the Kpiscopal C'hnrch. Her 
father is still living in Hillsdale, Mich. 

Mr. Kaiser is prominently identified with the G. 
A. R., .-IS Commander of the local post in Stnrgis, 
and he is a mem her of the orders of K. of P. and 
K. of L. He and his wife are active members of 
the Kpiscopal Church, he having united with that 
church seventeen years ago. 



'V^ 



^^^^^;^^^i^ 



•f 



most desirable farms within its bounds, said farm 
being pleasantly and advantageously located on sec- 
tion H, .Slurgis Township. Mr. Hil' was born in 
Pennsylvania. March 2.j, 1835, but though a native 
of the Keystone State, but vcrj- little of his life was 
passed there, as when he was still in his infancy his 
parents became pioneers of this Slate, and here he 
was mostly reared. 

The parents of our subject. Thomas and Mary 
(Peak) Hill, were natives of Kngland, and were 
reared and married in the land of their nativit^v. 
In the year 1830 they left their home and friends 
in Derbyshire, and emigrating to the United States, 
settled in Pennsylvania, where they lived until 1 H3G. 
In that year they came with their family to Michi- 
gan. After living for awhile in Tecumseh. Lenawee 
County, in the fnllowing year. 1837, they removed 
to a tract of land in Sturgis Township, which land 
is now owned and occupied by .John Sturgis. The 
country was then in a wild, sparsely settled c«indi- 
tion, with but few improvements, as the climate and 
Soil had been so misre|)resented as to retard emi- 
gration to what afterward proved a veritable ganlen 
spot. With the exception of one year spent in Illi- 
nois, moving there in 1838, and returning to this 
place in 1831). Mr. Hill and his wife >pent the re- 
mainder <if their lives here, the father dying in the 
fall of IH74. and the mother passing away in 1H78. 
They were hehl in universal respect, not only as 
pioneers of St. Jose])h County, but for their many 
fine personal qualities. Of their marriage thirteen 



,SKCK HILL, a practical, successful member 
l^ of the farming coniuiunitj- of St. .Joseph 
1 ^ — ^ County, has one of the best managed and 



children were born, nine of whom are living, namelj' : 
Mar}-, Mrs. Denio; Klizabeth, Mrs. Hunn; George, 
John; Jane, Mrs. Jacobs; Rolterl; Ellen. Mrs. Doug- 
las; Kseck and Thomas. 

Eseck Hill was educated in the common schools 
of St. Joseph County, and when a j'oung man 
learned the mason's trade. The same enterprising 
pioneer spirit that had led his parents to cross the 
seas more than a quarter of a century before, to 
found a new home in the wilds of Pennsylvania, 
and then to iMichigan. moved our subject to trv 
life on the wild |)rairies of some still newer .Suite, 
and in 1859 we find him in Iowa Count}-, Iowa, 
which was then a desolate region, where wild ani- 
mals roamed at will, and the Indians ma<le their 
home, there being but few white settlements there. 
For one j-ear he assisted in the management of a 
hotel in the village of Homestead for the benefit of 
the emigrants and such other travelers as found 
their way to that part of the countiy. He then 
bought some land, which he farmed somewhat, al- 
though he still worked at his trade most of the 
time. Hut the State where he had been reared 
possessed stronger attracticms for him than the 
Hawkeye State, and in 18G3 he returned to this 
township, and has evei- since made his home here. 
He was actively and profiUibly engaged in the ma- 
son's trade until 1874, when he removed to the vil- 
lage to engage in the lumber business, which he 
carried on for two years. At the expiration of 
tliat time he accepted a position as conductor on 
the supply train of the Grand Rapids A- Indiana 
Railroad when it was being constructed, and be 
acted in that capacitj' for one season. He then 
turned his attention to tiie grocery business in .Stur- 
gis. Later he went to Illinois to run a supply train 
on the Chicago. Danville ik Vincennes Railroad 
for three nioulbs. when he returned to Sturgis Vil- 
lage. The next year he removed to his farm on 
section 7, this township, and in the spring of 1881 
settled on his present farm, where he has since made 
his home. He has made many valuable improve- 
ments, among which is a substantial set of build- 
ings, comprising a handsome .and commoil ions brick 
residence, on which he did all the mason work him- 
self, and a fine frame barn. His land is under a<l- 
mirable tillage, and its rich soil yields Abundant 






>► i r^ 



486 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



harvests. His farm comprises 189 acres, and he has 
a. half-interest in a farm of IGO ac-res in Sliennan 
Townsliip. Mr. Hill, besiiles attending to the man- 
agement of his own propertj', is administrator of his 
brother William's estate, and a guardian for one of 
his children, Ida Morris. 

January 1, 1856, Mr. Hill and Miss Eliza Hib- 
bard were united in the bonds of matrimony. Mrs. 
Hill was born in 1835, in York Stale, Cattaraugus 
County, and is a daughter of Arunah and Rachel 
Hibbard, of Sturgis. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are the 
parents of seven children, six of whom live, as fol- 
lows: Nellie, Dora L., Charles, Harry W., Jennie 
M. and Ktlu'l G. Nellie married Porter Garter, of 
Sioux Fails, Dak., and they have one child, Lineus; 
Dora is the wife of George Garter, of the same 
city; Charles, who lives in Sturgis, married Miss 
Ilattie W. Wallace, and the}- have two children — 
Wallace A. and Hazel .M. 

Mr. Hill is an unassuming, frank, kindly man, 
and by his tact and consideration in his dealings 
with others he has won the favor and liking of his 
neighbors, who regard him with thorough respect 
and reliance. Besides [jossessing those traits in a 
high degree that mark hiin an honest man and a 
good citizen, he combines forethought and sagacity 
with those qualities of thrift, prudence and steadi- 
ness of purpose that have made him prosperous. 
He and his wife are prominent socially, and he is a 
member of the Commander^' in the Masonic fra- 
ternity. 



h^ ILTON H. ANDER.SON.attorney-at-law. is 
/// IV a prominent and influential citizen of Stur- 
gis. where he has a large and remunerative 
law practice. He was born in St. Joseph, 
Mo., Aug. 21, 1859. He is of mingled Scotch and 
German origin, some of his ancestors having set- 
tled in the United States in Colonial days, and the 
Andei-son family has since taken an important part 
in National affairs, seventeen of its members having 
represented their respective districts in Congress, 
and two of the family having been mfnibers of the 
United States Senate. Samuel Anderson, the pater- 
nal grandfather of our subject, from whom some of 
the weallhitst families of Lagrange County. Ind., 



have descended, was a pioneer of that county, and 
built the first frame house there, in 1832. His son 
Hiram, the father of our subject, was the first white 
child born in Lagrange County, Ind., and there he 
was reared to manhood. He married Miss Marj- E. 
Miles, who was born in Jefferson County*, near 
Watertown. N. Y.,in 183.'). She is the daughter of 
the late William Miles, and great-granddaughter of 
Samuel Miles, who was a soldier in the Revolution- 
ary War, and loaned the Government a large sum 
of money to .assist in pa^'ing the soldiers who fought 
so nobly in that struggle for freedom and independ- 
ence. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Ander- 
son took place in .St. Joseph, Mo., in 1854, and of 
their union three chihlren were born, namely: Al- 
lie and Mollie, both deceased, and our subject. Mr. 
Anderson was a representative man and a promi- 
nent citizen of St. Joseph, where he continued to 
reside until his death, in 1859. Mrs. Anderson, who 
now lives in Odebolt, Sac Co., Iowa, was again mar- 
ried, in 1864, to Mr. John Fraley, a hardware mer- 
chant of that place, and of her second marriage two 
children have been born : William II., a clerk in the 
American House, St. Joseph, and Leona. 

Our subject spent the first thirteen yeai-s of his 
life in his native city, attending its public schools: 
he then went with his mother and stepfather to 
DeWitt, Clinton Co., Iowa, where he entered the 
High School, from which he was subsequently grad- 
uated, with a good record for scholarship. In the 
winter of 1876-77 our subject took a regular course 
of stud\- at Bryant ir Stratton's Commercial College, 
at Davenport. Iowa, and at the same time attended 
a course of law lectures. The following spring he 
entered the law olflce of K. W. Wheeker, of De- 
Witt, as a stu<lent. and in the spring of 1870 he 
was admitted to the bar of Iowa. In October, 1 880, 
our subject went to .St. Joseph, Mo., and entered 
the law office of ex-Gov. Woodson, with whom he 
remained one year. 

The marriage of Mr. Anderson to Miss Libbie, 
daughter of the late John Barr, was celebrated in 
Sturgis, Sept. 12, 1881. In the fall of that. year 
our subject established himself in business in La- 
grange County, Ind., but his wife's health having 
failed he removed to Traverse City, Mich., where 
he remained until 1883. In the fall of that year 



■» ll ^» i " 



II 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



■•►Hl-^ 



487 



Mr. BniT. fatlicr f>f Mrs. Anderson, havinfi (licH.he 
returned to Lajjr.nnfje Connty with liis family to 
lake cli!ir<;e of tiie estate, and remained lliere until 
it was settled. In the spring of 1885 Mr. Ander- 
son came t<j Sturgis, whieh he has since made his 
home, and opened an office here for the practice of 
his prt)fession. and was admitted to the bar of 
Michigan in 1 8K.'>. He is the representative for 
JSturgis of the Williamson Legal Directtjry and Col- 
lecting Agency of New York City, also general 
agent for Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana 
for the Manufacturers' Accident Insurance C'oin- 
pan3', and general agent for the American Building 
and Loan .Vssociation for the Suite of Michigan. 
Mr. Anderson is a member of the M.nsonic frater- 
nity, and also of the Y. M. C. A., of Sturgis. 

Our suliject is a man of keen, searching intellect, 
and has a marked genius for unraveling the knotty' 
points of law. and is steadily gaining a fine reputa- 
tion for legal ability. He already enjo_vs a lucra- 
tive practice, which is steadily increasing, and has 
been retained as counsel on some of the most im- 
portant cases tried in the courts of Mis-sonri and 
Indiana, as well as of Michigan. Mr. Anderson has 
always, and repeatedly, declined to allow his name 
to be used in political conventions as a candidate 
for public office, _vet he is a stanch Republican and 
an active worker in that party. 



■ — ^•2at''.'5J4@-»^@fe.»®(^a<^OT»~-w>~ 



T^KN.IAMIN C. BICK. To this gentleman 
l^\ bchmgs the distinction of being the oldest 
/J)i it settler of Sturgis. He has been identified 
^•iS^ with the rise and progress of St. .losepli 
County from the verj' beginning, and as a repre- 
scnl<itivc pioneer we are pleased to give a place in 
this Ai.iu'M to his biography. Our suliject and his 
father, (ieorge Buck, who (igiircs in the history of 
this part of the county as one of ius early, well- 
known pioneers, came here in 182.S, and the latter 
built the first ho»i»c ever erected in this township. 
He lived a little over three weeks in a tent while 
buihiing the house on the edge of the prairie. It 
was a primitive cabin, made wilii uiiliewe<l logs, 
with a slick and clay chimney, shakes for a roof, 
with knees and |K>les for weiglits lo keep it on. and 



the one room had a dirt floor, and a blanket for a 
door. Our sulijecl's brother. Col. Philip H. Buck, 
an otlicer in the Black Hawk War, surve^-ed and 
laid out the town of Sturgis in 18.36. 

Our subject has lived here since 1828, a period of 
more than sixty years, and for a long time he was a 
leading farmer of the place, but for the past thirty 
years he has been extensively cng.iged in the stock 
and produce business. Besides the property that he 
owns in .Sturgis Mr. Buck owns a farm in Nebraska 
of 320 acres, finely' located in the most productive 
region in Butler County. 

Benjamin C. Buck was born in Erie County, N. 
Y., Sept. 8, 181'J. His father w.is born in Kingston, 
and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Her- 
she}', was born in Lancaster. Pa. The father was 
killed in a well with one Mr. Waterman in the sum- 
mer of 1829. leaving a widow with eight children, 
and the boys had to work hard to make a living, 
and two of them, Philip and Peter, took an active 
part ill the Black Hawk War. The mother of our 
subject died in 1862. 

When the Bucks came to this part of the country 
it was a vast wilderness, scarcely an}' attempts hav- 
ing been made to reclaim it, and there was but one 
family here, and that was in Fawn River Township, 
that of .Judge .John Sturgis, for whom this place was 
named. Our subject loved the hunt, and was an 
expert in the use t)f the rifle, and there was plenty 
of game here for him to exercise his skill on, such 
as deer, turkeys and prairie chickens. Wolves were 
often seen and heard, but he never succeeded in 
killing any bears. He early gained a practical cx- 
l)ericnce of the hard labors of a pioneer, and being 
a great worker undoubtedly performed his share of 
the har<l task of clearing aw.-iy the forests, draining 
the swarnps and preparing the land for culture, in 
lime becoming a skillful fanner, and contributing 
greatly to the advanccmcnl of agriculture in Sturgis 
Township. He is classed among the best citizens 
of St. .Joseph County, he having been eminently 
successful in his career a« a business man, and inde- 
[lendent in his enterprises, as well as energetic in 
carrying them ouL 

The marriage of Mr. Buck and Miss Adelia 
Green took place Aug. 7, 1841. Mrs. Buck, who 
was a most estimable lady, was a native of New 



i- 



•^1^^ 



488 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 






York State, and was born in Alleganj' Count}'. Her 
parents, Alfred and Alfredia (Peek) Green, were 
natives of tlie Slate of New York. Tiie union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Buck was blessed to them by the birth 
of nine children, .as follows: Marion, Isabel, Charles, 
Estulla, George, Fred, Frank. Katie (deceased) 
and Sil.is. Marion married Jasper La Dow, and 
they have two children. Lulu and Herbie; Isabel 
married Charles E. Stovve, and they have one child, 
Flora; Charles B., who is the pro|)rielor of the 
Elliott House in Sturgis, ni!urie<l Miss Ella Cole, 
and tlicy have one child, llermie; Estella married 
El win Murdock; George, who lives in Rising City, 
Nel).. married Miss Edna Rising, and they have one 
child. Clarence; Fred, who lives in Chicago, mar- 
ried iMiss Emma Bell, and the}' have two children, 
Loi P. and Earl B., twins; Frank, who lives in Chi- 
cago, raarrii'il .Miss Lottie Gt)re. and they have one 
child, Roila; Silas, wiio lives in Chicago, married 
Miss Blanclie Gray, wlio died, leaving him one 
child, Kiina G. The first wife of our subject died 
in August. 1866, leaving manj' friends to mourn the 
loss of a kind-hearted, virtuous woman of many 
amiable qualities. 

Mr. Buck's marriage to his present wife occurred 
May 19, 18i>9. .She is a true helpmate and com- 
panion, devoting herself to her husband's iutei'ests 
most assiduously. Mrs. Buck's maiden name was 
Hannah Ann Kelley, and she is a daughter of Har- 
rison and Xanc}' (Edgar) Kellej', and was born in 
Marion Count}'. Ohio. Her father w.is an early pio- 
neer of Burr Oak Township, of wliicli he is still an 
honored citizen, and he has attained the venerable 
age of ninety-two 3'ears. The mother passed to 
spirit life in March, 1887, at the age of ninetj' 
years. 

Our subject made his mark in .St. Joseph Count}' 
when it was a new country, coming here when its 
vast, primeval forests, which have mostly disap- 
peared before the ax of the pioneer and the 
wooilsman, were the home of the Indians. He has 
materially assisted in the growth and advancement 
of this locality, and long after he shall have become 
a disembodied spirit, his memory and name will be 
cherished and reverenced for the part he has taken 
in its upbuihling. He is a man of weight and inllu- 
ence in business circles, as his transactions are con- 

-<•- 



ducted by strictly legitimate methods, and his in- 
tegrity is inflexible. He never seeks ofUcial h<uiors, 
but has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Con- 
stable, Township Treasurer, and he was Postmaster 
under Taylorand Fillmore's administrations, and at 
the same time was telegraph operator on the old 
Snow's line from Chicago to Monroe. Politically, 
he afniiates with the Republicans. He is President 
of the Harmonial .Society, and an ex[)onent of the 
belief that the spirits of the dead remain on earth, 
and that ".Man is the highest grade of intellisence." 



-~w«v«iije£;©^@«»^^^g->KSJ.a/Z'3'Ti»>»' 



I^ORM G. COOPER. . 

[| jV have contributed to tl 
iy.^) the busine-ss interests 



(i;^t\ORM G. COOPER. Among the men who 

the bone and sinew of 
s of Sturgis. the citi- 
zens of th.at place recognize in ^Mr. Cooper no un- 
important factor. A native of Waterloo, N. Y.. 
he was born July 5, 1838, of the tribe of Levi. 
The family removed to Fulton, N. Y., and young 
Norman entered upon his business career peddling 
newspapers. .\ little later he commenced .an ap- 
prenticeship at the jewelers' trade, an<l finally went 
to H.annibal. JIo.. with his employer, in 18.')(). 

After a brief jieriod spent on the other side of 
the Mississippi tiur subject returned to his home in 
the Empire State, sojourning both at Hannibal and 
Red Creek. About this time occurred the outbreak 
of the Rebellion, and our subject enlisted as a Union 
soldier in Company F. 24th New York Infantry, 
in ^lay. 1861, under the first call for trooi)S. He 
met the enemy in battle and continued with his 
regiment until shot in the right arm and also taken 
prisoner at the second Bull Run fight. Aug. 29, 
1861. He was fxchanged in a few months and 
joined his regiment, after which he w.as presented 
with a Lieutenant's commission. He w.as mustered 
out in ^lay. 186.'J. and rei)airing to his native 
county engaged in the jewelry business and cloth- 
ing trade at Red Creek. 

In 1867 Jlr. Cooper ch.anged the scene of his 
operations to Burr Oak. Mich., opening a store 
with jewelry and sewing-machines. Later he sold 
out and came to .Sturgis. taking up his residence 
here about 1880, and engaged in the life, fire in- 
surance and pension business. AVe next find him 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



48a 



uc'cupyiiis; the editorial eliair of the Coffee Cooler, 
a paper mostly devoleil to the interests of the (1. 
A. K. 

Mr. t'ooper is identified with the Masonic fra- 
tiMiiity, and ha.'* oceiipied the various olHcei^ of his 
1(m1<,'c, lu'lnji; Tasl .Masler of Ka<jle l,odj;:e No. 121, 
at Ihirr t)ak, Past (irand of Sturgis Prairie Lodge, 
I. (). (). P., and a meniherof the C'hapt<>r in Sturgis. 
He is prominently iilentified with the (J. A. P.. be- 
ing Paiit Inspector of the Michigan Department, 
P.T-st Commander of A. H. Sturges Post No. 7.3, 
aid on the staff of Coninian<UT-in-C'hief William 
Warner, and also aid on the staff of Commander- 
in-Chief Oeorge 15. Ahbott, Sons of A'eterans, ('. 
S. A.; also Captain of Woo<l Camp No. Ill, Stur- 
gis. Mr. Cooper is often invited to speak at camp 
fires and other gatherings of the Sons of ^■eterans. 
being a fluent talker and iwssessing eloquence in a 
marked degree. It is hardly* necessary* to say that 
he is an ardent Kepublican and is also interested in 
the success of the temperance movement. 

Mr. Cooper was married at t^uincy, this .State, in 
18G(i. to Miss Lucelia A. C^uereau. They have a 
daughter and son: Ethel A., aged (1H89) sixteen 
years, and Leon N., nearl_v fifteen. Mr. Cooi>er 
observes that he " mjinages to keep prior but some- 
what respectable." Certain it is, however, that he 
manages to maintain a jjosition of popularity 
among his townspeople, and forms a member of the 
body politic with which they could not very well 
dispense. 

' oii6 ' 

'^^ ^ HS. JANE VANDERMARK. There are 
few residents of .Meiidon Village and vicin- 
ity unacquainted with the name of this es- 
timable lad}-, who occupies a beautiful 
home, and is the owner of valuable property in the 
township. A lady of culture and refinement, and 
possessing a good education, she represents the bet- 
ter element of this county, to which she came in 
the d.ays of its early ilevelopnit'nt. She has walche<l 
with warm interest the growth of Southern Michi- 
gan, and as the wife of one of its most prominent 
men assisted by her encouragement and influence 
in his labors toward bringing a portion of its 
territorv to a stale of cullivnlion. ercctinjj tlirrcdn 




a comfortable homestead and accumulating a gener- 
ous portion of this world's goods. The main 
points in a history of more than ordinary interest 
are as follows : 

Mrs. Vandermark was born Dec. 24, 1S17, in 
Murray, Orleans Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of 
Joel and Clarissa (Reed) Warren, who were natives 
respectivel}' of Vermont and Connecticut. The 
father in early manhood learned the trade of car- 
penter, and was a skilled mechanic, becoming in 
due time an architect of excellent reputation. He 
emigrated to Michigan in 1848, anti subsequently 
turned his attention mostly to farming. When 
about forty years old he met with an accident 
which rendered him a crippli; for life, but such was 
his courage and energy that he was enabled to 
carrj' on this business successfully and proviile a 
good living for his fanidy. His death look place 
at the homestead in Holly ,Oakland Count}', in 18G3, 
when he was sixty-three years old. His wife, the 
mother of Mrs. V., died in the fall of 1872, at the 
same place. 

To the parents of our subject there was born a 
family of eleven children. These were named re- 
spectively: Adeline, Jane, Erastus, Charles, Lemuel, 
Joseph, George, Mar}', Sarah, Rhoda A. and Al- 
mira. 

The childhood and 3'outh of Mrs. Vandermark 
were spent under the parenUd nxjf, and on the 2."5d 
of February, 1837, she was united in marriage with 
John Vandermark. They started in .September 
following for Michigan, which had then been a Sute 
but a few inonlhj, having been admilled to the 
Union in January of that year. They made the 
journey by water, canal and Lake Erie to Detroit, 
and thence overland by leam to this count}'. Mr, 
V. purchased forty acres of land in Mendon Town- 
ship, only one acre of which had been disturbed by 
the plowshare. The Indians still lingered in this 
vicinity, and their white neighbors were few and 
far between. Mr. Vandermark put up a log cabin, 
and the young pe<)i)l(' commenced the journey of 
life together with little ca|)itnl save their affection 
for each other, their courageous hearts and willing 
hands. They experienced llie usual hard>hips and 
privations of pioneer life, and lived upon their first 
purchase ten years. Mr. Vandermark then selling 



■•►■ 



J. 



490 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



out purchased 155 acres in Leonidas Township, 
where he improved a fine farm, whicli is still in the 
possession of liis widow and children. Upon this 
has been erected a substantial set of frame build- 
ings, including three barns and a modern residence. 
Mr. and Mrs. Vanderraark occupied that liomestead 
a period of nearly fortj' years, and in the autumn 
of 1883, retiring from the more active labors of 
life took up their abode in the village, where the 
death of Mr. Vandermark occurred Oct. 9, 1886, 
after an illness of five j-ears, during which he liad 
at times been a great sufferer. 

John Vandermark was born in Marble Township, 
Ulster Co., N. Y., Jan. 6, 1813. where he acquired 
a common-school education and was reared to man- 
hood. He followed farming all his life, and after 
coming to Michigan was greatly prospered in his 
labors and accounted pne of the leading farmers of 
St. Jose))!) Count}'. He was a very benevolent 
man and a father to the poor, giving of his means to 
those less fortunate and never turning awaj' from 
his door anyone who was in need. He was a con- 
scientious men) tier of the Democratic party, a man 
decided in his views, and one who advocated his 
principles with all the strength of his character. 
Genial and hospitable, he is kindl}' remembered by 
hosts of friends, and passed away iu peace with full 
hope of a blessed hereafter. We gladly copj' 
from a sketch of Mr. Vandermark wliii-li appeari'd 
in a local paper at the time of his death. This 
clearly shows the estimation in which he was held 
by his neighbors : 

" Our esteemeil fellow-townsman is no more. He 
passed away iieacefully and quictlj", after giving 
full directions as to the preparations for his funeral, 
which he desired to take place quietly- and without 
ostentation. He was held in highest esteem by all 
wIkj knew him, and alw.ays proved to be a worth}' 
citizen, kind neighbor, husband and father, as well 
as of industrious, economical and regul:ir habits. 
John Vandermark was born in Ulster County, N. 
Y., Jan. 6, 1813. He went to Orleans Count}', N. 
Y., in 1835, was married Feb. 23. 1837, to Jane 
Warren, and in the following September moved to 
Michigan, in this county, an<l first settled in Men- 
don. He lived on the jn-airie, just across the town 
line in Lconidiis Town.-hip. on a farm which he 



developed, improved and occupied since the year 
1847, leaving the farm only to occupy a fine 
residence in this place, where he finally breathed 
his last. His occupation was f.irming during all 
these years. The fruits of his marriage were but 
two children ; one of them, the late Mrs. Charles 
Cattell, departed this life about seven years ago. 
The elder daughter, Mrs. John Simpson, still sur- 
vives him. The funeral was very largely attended, 
and the general verdict is Mendon has lost one of 
her most highly respected citizens. His aged con- 
sort still survives him, and has the S} mpathy of this 
entire community in her bereavement, though she 
is well provided for, and has hopes of living some 
years yet to enjoy the fruits of their joint industry 
and economy." 

To Mr. and Mrs. Vanderraark there were born 
two children only: Lydia A. is now the wife of 
John Simpson, a farmer in good circumstances, 
carrying on agriculture successfully in Nottawa 
Township; they have three children — Alice, Will- 
iam and Klwin; Marion, the younger daughter, be- 
came the wife of Charles Cattell, and died at her 
home in Mendon Township, June 4, 1879; she left 
three children, two daughters and a son — Addie, 
Agnes and John C. Marion w.as born April 4, 
1844, an<l was married March 8, 1871. 

^^EORGE DUNNING, a prominent farmer of 
Sturgis, has for nearly thirty years been act- 

_ ively identified with the agricultural inter- 
ests of St. Joseph County, and is a most worthy 
representative of the cl.ass which has done so much 
for its development and for the jjroujotion of its 
nijiterial prosperity. 

Mr. Dunning wjis born in Penfield Township. 
Monroe Co.. N. Y., Sept. IG, 181(5, coming of a 
good New England .incestry. His paternal grand- 
father, Martin Dunning, w.as the son of an English- 
man, wlio was one of three brothers who came to 
America before the Revolution, and cist in their 
lot with the Colonists. The Hon. .losiah Dunning, 
one of the early Governors of Indiana, was a lineal 
descendant of one of the historical three brothers 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



491 



just mentioned. Amos l)iiniiin<>:. tlic father of our 
sulijorl. w:is horn in \'onnonl, and ln'cnnic jiti i-jirly 
settler of Monroe County, and at one time could 
have bought the city of Hoche.ster for %')()(). He 
actively assisted in the development of the sur- 
rounding country from the wilderness that in those 
d.nvs prevailed in Western and Central New York. 

Our suliject receive<l a substantial education in 
his native county, and w.as thus ampiv fitted for a 
teacher, which profession he adopted as an avoca- 
tion, teachini;, however, but a short time, prefer- 
ring to devote himself to his calling lus a fanner. 
In 1846 he moved to Chautauqua County, in his 
native State, and thence came to this county in 
.\pril. 18G(I. He immediately purchased his pres- 
ent ])lace of residence, and ha.s lived there ever 
since. By persistent and well-directed industry, 
combined with sound judgment and prudence, he 
has improved one of the finest and most desirable 
farms in St. Joseph Countv. It comprises 160 acres 
of exceedingly fertile soil, which he cultivates after 
the most ajjproved methods. He lia.s erected a 
(■ommodit)\is and well-appointed house, a fine barn 
and other substantial farm buildings, and hn.s his 
farm well supplietl with nioflern machinery for 
lightening l.ibor. .Mr. Dunning is in prosperous 
circumstances, and is numbered among the solid, 
well-to-do citizens of the county. 

( )ur subject and Miss Maria Shoccraft were united 
in niarri.ige Jan. 8, 1840. and thus for nearly half 
a century they have traveled life's journey together, 
dividing its sorrows and doubling its joys. Mrs. 
Dunning is a daughter of John Shoecraft, a native 
of .Monroe County. X. Y.. where she was also born. 
Of her happy wedded life with our subject five 
children have been born, four of whom are spared 
to blftss their declining years: Laura; Albert B.. a 
prominent attornej' of Sturgis, v( whom .see sketch 
on another jMige; Frank .V. and Marion. Helen, 
the youngest, died at the .ige of twenty-seven years. 
She was engage<I to be married to .lames M. (iuffv. 
natural gas dealer of Pittsburgh. Pa. Laura mar- 
ried (Jeorge flartlner. of this township, and they 
have two children: Matie. a prominent school 
tesicher. and Bertie. Mary married Hubert Heed, 
of Sturgis, and they have one child, Bertie. 

Mr. Dunning is well gifted mentally, [xjssesses 



rare stability of character, and is in every w.ay an 
invahi;il)le citizen. His fellow-townsmen, regard- 
ing him as a man particularly well endowed with 
strong common .sense and other attributes that con- 
duce to success in public life, have often besought 
him to take some otlice within their gift, and with- 
out his seeking otticial honors he has had them 
thrust upon him. so to speak, .as they have often 
elected him without his knowledge or consent to 
some position, and thus he became Highway Com- 
missioner ill 1882, and served elHciently one term. 
He and his family occup3- a high social position in 
the community, and are known and beloved b}' a 
large circle of friends. 



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i:^\ ILAS .STOW has l)Pen an important fuctiM' 
in the iipl>uilding of .Sturgis, where he is 
now prosperously engaged as a dealer in 
produce, and in him the town (inds one of its 
ablestand most trusty civic otHcers, he having held 
the responsible position of Supervisor for eiglityears. 
Our subject is a worthy descendant of well-known 
New Englanil families, who settled in that part of 
the country- when it was under Colonial govern- 
ment. 

Our subject is a native of the good old .State of 
Connecticut, the land of steady habits and blue 
laws, and the pretty town of Colebrook, in Litch- 
field County, was the place of his birth, and April 
20, 1817, the date thereof. He comes of a stalwart, 
hardy, long-lived race. His father, Calvin .Stow, a 
native of Mifldlelown, Conn.. lived to be seventy- 
nine years old; his father's sister Lottie, Mrs. Bell, 
died in Jefferson, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, in 188G, at 
the remarkable .age of one hundred and four years, 
and another sister, Katie. Mrs. Williams, of Bloom- 
ington. 111., attaiiic<l the advanced age of one 
hundred years before death claimed her. The pa- 
ternal grandfather of our subject, Calvin Stow, was 
a native of Kngland. Our subject's mother, whose 
maiden name was Esther De Wolfe, was o{ French 
ancestry, but the family made their appearance in 
New England prior to the Hevolulion. in which 
war her father. Daniel De Wolfe, was a gallant sol- 
dier. Our subject's father in early life was a car- 



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492 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 




penter and joiner bj* trade, and followed that calling 
until he was fifty-five or sixty years old. when he 
turned his attention to farming. To him and his wife 
were born nine children, of whom the following grew 
to maturity': William, Edward, Charles, Harriet, 
Mary, Cornelia, Silas and Emilj', the latter dying 
after reaching womanhood, leaving a family of cliil- 
dren. 

Silas Stow grew to manhood amid the scenery 
of his native county, and received an excellent 
education, the Connecticut schools even in that day 
being famous for their superiority. After leaving 
school he worked two years in a chair factory in 
Barkhamsted, in his native count}', and then went 
to Hartford, in the same State, to act as clerk in tl\e 
dry-gooils store of Bowles, Sexton & Co., on Siloara 
street, and during the seven years that he remained 
in their employ he traveled quite extensivel}' for 
the firm. At one time they sent him into Michigan 
on a collecting tour, and he was infatuated with 
this country, and resolved to settle in St. Joseph 
County if he should ever come AVest. In 1846 our 
subject entered into business on his own account, 
and building a chair factory in Middleville, N. Y., 
ran it two j-ears. In 1848 he moved to Montville, 
Ohio, and erected a chair factory- in that town. 
In 18."»0 he traded it for a farm, but in 18.54 he re- 
sumed till' manuf.acturing of chairs, coming to Sturgis 
and building and operating a factory in this place 
for several years, employing from Mty to sixty 
hands and doing a large business. During the war 
he exchanged his factor}' for a farm in Barry 
County, this State, and for some land in Minnesota. 
In the latter part of the war he bought cavalry 
horses for the United States Government. He era- 
barked in his present business in 18G7. 

Our subject was married, Oct. 20, 1840, to Mary 
L., daughter of Elisha and Catherine (,Coe) Ran- 
som, natives of Connecticut. They are both de- 
ceased. Mrs. Stow was born in Sherburne, N. Y., 
Dec. 29, 1815. Her union with our subject has 
been a happy one, extending over a period of nearly 
fifty j'ears. and ii has been blessed to them by tlie 
birth of two children — Franklin N. and Charles E. 
The latter, who married Isabella Buck, lives in 
Chicago, and to him and his wife has come one 
chilli, Flora; Fnmklin is a commission merchant at 



No. 138 South Water street, Chicago, 111.; he mar- 
ried Sophia Buck, and the}' have two children liv- 
ing — Jessie and Franklin G. Their son Philip S.. 
who died at the .age of nineteen, was a promising 
j-oung man of high character, and was bright and 
well educated. 

Mr. Stow has been an invaluable citizen of Stur- 
gis since his advent here thirty-five years ago. He 
has taken a hearty interest in extending its business 
and commercial relations with the outside country, 
and has ever lent his influence to all good schemes 
for its advancement. He is not a member of any 
church, but contributes generously to the supjiorl 
of religious institutions. His charitj' and benevo- 
lence are well known, and his means are heavily 
taxed to relieve the sufferings of the unfortunate and 
downtrodden. He is an unassuming man, and cares 
not for the emoluments and honors of public ofHce, 
but was prevailed upon b}- his many friends to ac- 
cept his present position of Supervisor, and for four 
years he was a member of the Town Council. 
While a resident of Ohio he was elected Justice of 
the Peace, but refused to serve. He is a Mason, 
and has been as high as the Commandery. 



•'<««ii£'©^@'' — m 



K4— >.'®^§W3'»> 




ENJAMIN F. WEINBERG. This name 
will be recognized as belonging to one of 
the finest old families of Pennsylvania. 
The gentleman herein treated of is a most 
worthy representative of his race, numbers of whom 
are widely and favorably known throughout the 
State of Penns3'lvania. His father, Samuel Wein- 
berg, was born there, in Armstrong Count}', in 
1812, and carried on farming until the removal to 
Michigan in 1840. Here he located in Lockport 
Township on the Buck farm, in the vicinity of 
Three Rivers, but later removed to Park Town- 
ship, where he lived three years, engaged in farm- 
ing. Subsequently he changer! his residence to the 
Lantz farm, which he operateil one year, then re- 
turned to Park Township, purchasing farm prop- 
erty, and sojourning there again three years. We 
next find him in the vicinity of Three Rivers .again, 
where he purchased a half-interest in a spoke and 



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•ST. .lOSKPlI COUNTY. 



41)3 



t 



nx liniidle factorj-, the business of wliidi he con- 
(Iiu'li'il two 3-ears. Upon with'lmwin^ from this 
ill' piiivlinsccl r.'O acres of land in Flowerfiehl Town- 
ship, on section 35. To this he suhsoqiiently adiled 
twenty acres, making: a snnjj farm t)f 140 acres, 
where, with the exception of three years, lie spent 
tiie remainder of his life. During this interval he 
was a resident of Tliree Rivers. His death took 
place on the farm in Flowerfield Township, Sept. 
30, 1887. 

Mrs. Anne Klizal)etli (Orinder) Weinberg, the 
mother of our subject, is also a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and remains a resident of Three Rivers, 
making her home with her son-in-law, William 
Ilepler. The parental household included nine 
children, one of whom died in infancy, and a daugh- 
ter. Anne, died ut the age of thirty-five j'ears. The 
others still survive: Adam G. is a mechanic, and 
makes his home in Florida; Hiram is engaged in 
butcherin<; and farming combined, and makes his 
lK>rue in Flowerfield Township; Susan is the wife 
of Dudley M. Francisco, who is carrying on a 
livery business at Three Rivers; Hannah married 
Frank lluffsmith, who is engaged as a farmer and 
stock-buyer in Flowerfield Township; Ellen is the 
wife of William Hepler, who is conducting a de- 
livery business at Three Rivers; Kdwin Wesle3- is 
a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Washington 
Territory. 

The subject of this sketch was born on the banks 
of the St. .Joseph River, in Lockport Township, 
this county, Oct. 10, 1844. His childhood and 
youth were spent at the old iKunestead, anil his 
education was conducted in the common schools. 
With the exception of five or six years spent as 
clerk in a general store at Three Rivers, he has 
mnile farming bis occupation. In 1873 he took up 
his permanent residence on the old homestead. He 
was married, Dec. lO, 1880, in Flowerfield Town- 
ship, to Miss May Eeklei'. This lady was born in 
("learfield County, I'a., Sept. 2fi, 1 8.i,!. and is the 
(laughter of .loseph and .Mary ( Reigle) Kckley, the 
former of whom died when his daughter May was 
an infant. The motlier was subsequently married 
to Samuel Conser. They came to the West about 
186a. and Mrs. Conser (lied in Flowerfield Town- 
ship, May 11, 18m:{. Mr. C. nwikes his Innne with 




his stepdaughter, and is now sixlj'-seven years old. 
The mother was a member in good standing of the 
Lutheran Church, To our subject and wife there 
have been born four children : Toria, born Oct. 7, 
1881; Winnifrid, June 2, 1883; Fern, Oct. 14, 
1886; and an infant, born April 4, 1888. 

The Weinberg homestead is located about five 
miles northwest of Three Rivers, and comprises one 
of the pleasantest places in this part of tiie county. 
Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for Sey- 
mour, and since that time has been a uniform sup- 
porter of the Democratic party. His brother, Adam 
G.. served sis a Union soldier in the late Civil War. 
The family comprises one of the landmarks of St. 
.Joseph County, to whose development and progress 
they have contributed their full quota. 



KIHEN II. ESTES. The fact that the sub- 
ject of this sketch was tlie first man who 
ever sowed clover .seed in .Mendon Town- 
ship is sullicient indication that he is worthy 
to rank among its honored pioneers. .Vfter years 
of long and arduous labor, in which he was pros- 
pere<l, he retired from the active duties of life, and 
is now living amid the coinft)rts of a pleasant home 
at Mendon. He first oiH?ned his eyes to the light 
on the ruggtKl New England Cojist. in .Vugusta 
County. Me., .March 27. 1817. anil is the son of Ben- 
jamin and Sarah (Kirby) Estes, who were born and 
reareil in the city of Boston. The father in early 
manhood learned the trade of saddletree-maker, but 
later turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. 
The |)arents spent their bust days in Livingston 
County. N. Y.. the father dying in the fall of 1852. 
Henjamin Estes \va.s a man of strong character, 
decided in his views, antl w.a.s one of the most 
worthy exponents of the <loctrines of the (.Quaker 
Church, of which he was a chief pillar. A question 
finally arose among the brethren concerning the 
divinity of Christ; the father, clinging to bis old 
belief, in which he had l)een reared from child- 
hood, continued with th" old division of the Friends' 
Cliun-h. with his estimable wife, until the day of his 
death. The\' were people greatly- resiwcted in. their 
community, and in their daily walk and conver-a- 
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r 



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4'J4 



4- 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



tion were a(lmir.nl)le ex.ninjiles of the principles 
wliich they professed. Tlieir fiimily included ten 
ehildrcn. who were na'med respectively: Alice. Al- 
len, Deborah, Hannah; Sarah, who died at the age 
of five years; Eda. ISenjaniin, Roliert; Reuben II.. 
our subject, and Tliomas. 

Mr. Estes, of this sketch, was the nintli child of 
his parents, and spent his boyhood and youth upon 
the farm, acquiriuij' his education in tlie coninion 
schools. Soon after reaching his majority he com- 
menced farniiui;- on his own account in the vicinity 
of Caledonia, Livingston Co.. N. Y., to which he 
had removed with his parents about 1826. Two 
years later. Feb. 12. 1840. he w.-is married to Jliss 
Lydia l>ewe3'. Squire .\llen olliciatinsr. .Mrs. Estes 
was born April 2, 1817. near I'tica. N. V.. .and was 
orphaned by the death of botii parents when a little 
child six years of age. She was then taken into the 
home of a maternal aunt. Mrs. Wright, remaining 
with her until her marriage. She. like our sul)ject. 
in early years was a member of tlie (Quaker Church, 
but Later they lioth iilcntitied themselves with the 
Congregationalists. Of this union there were born 
five children, namel^y: .Mice. Mrs. \Ve.slcy 1'. Cus- 
tard, and the mother of two children; Almeron. a 
resident of llartland. Niagara County; .Adelaide, 
who died in New York State, in childliood; Arthur, 
who died in 1853, and Eva, who died at the age of 
thirteen years. Mrs. Lydia Estes de]iarted this life 
at her home in Mcndon. Sept. 6, 1887. 

Mr. Estes left the Empire State in the year 1853, 
with a snug sum of money, and coming to Jlen- 
don Township, this county, jjurcliased 313 acres of 
land lying on sections 28 and 33. This jiroperty 
he still retains. Later he jnirchased 157 acres of 
his cousin, which he sold five years later for the 
snug sum of 18,000. He has specul.ited consider- 
ably in real estate, and in addition to his home 
farm lias 302 .acres in Lj'onidas Township. About 
1862 he added lOG acres to the homestead, which 
now embraces 420 acres — one of tlie finest bodies 
of laud in the county. He has eighty- -seven acres 
in Kalamazoo County, and 246 acres on Nottawa 
Prairie, making in all an estate of 1,04(! acres. 

Mr. Estes in due time turned his attention to 
the development of Mcmlon Village, in wliiili he 
has been no unimportant factor. Here he lias a 



business block and two fine dwellings, the latter 
two stories in height and built of Milwaukee brick. 
(Jur subject has assisted in tiie building of every 
church in Meiidun A'illage. and various other enter- 
jirises tending to its growth and develojimcnt uni- 
formly receive his support. He labored industri- 
ously lo have the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad 
constructed through this place, and was congratu- 
lated by numbers of citizens upon his success. Po- 
litically, he is an advocate of prohibition, but cast 
his vote for the grandson of old Tippecanoe during 
the late election (1888). Sochally, he is a Royal 
Arch Mason, and stands high among his brethren. 
In noting men who have been important factors in 
bringing St. Joseph County to her present condi- 
tion, ^Ir. Estes is worth}' of more than passing 
mention. 



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"T 



<i|7 U'l'lIER r. WILCOX. Cashier of the Three 
I (^ Rivei-s National Bank, and having the prin- 
/*'— ^\ cipal management of the institution, which 
is regarded as one of the most solid in the city, en- 
gaged in banking in this place firet in 1883. He 
came to Three Rivers in 1857. and was variously 
occupied for a number of years thereafter. He wa.-< 
born near St. Johnsville, Montgomery Co., N. Y., 
Oct. 2. 1832. and is the son of Peter WiU-ox. a na- 
tive of Vermont, who carried on merchandising in 
Montgomery County. N. Y.. a numlier of years. 
The mother, whose maiden name was Mary Youker. 
was the daughter of George Youker, a veteran of 
the Revolutionary War, and was also born in Mont- 
gomery County. N. Y. The Wilcox family traces 
its ancestry back to England, and Caleb >\'ilco.\, 
the paternal grandfather of our subject, spent his 
last years in \'ermont. 

Peter Wilcox after his maiTiage settled in .Mont- 
gomery County, N. Y., where he resided until 
1837. when he removed to JetTerson County, in the 
same State. In Jlay, 1852, he emigrated to Michi- 
gan, locating with his family in Van Buren County, 
but only lived thirty days thereafter, his death tak- 
ing place in the following month. Tliere were six 
children, three boys and three girls, in the parental 
family, who are still living, and of whom our sub- 

^ •► 



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ST. JU.SKl'U C'UUNTV. 



4yj 



jei't was tlu" yoiiii'ji'jit of llu' lirotlior.*. Tlii'v aiv 
mostly residents of Mieliij;!!)), with tlic cxcuptioii 
of Nathnn. who is engaged in contracting in Ten- 
lu'^isoc. One sister, S.irnli. is a resident of Wood- 
Imrv County, Iowa. 

The subject of this sketch \\:is twenty years of 
aire when he came to Mii-higaii. and having re- 
ceived a practical education, was comparatively 
well fitted for the coming struggle of life. He had 
commenced an apprenticeship at the carjienter's 
trade when a youth of sixteen, and then learned 
niillwrighting. which lie followed a numljcr of 
_\ ears. Sulisecpicntly he went South, spending two 
years in the States o( Tennes.see. ( Georgia and Ala- 
bama. During that time he was engaged upon 
(tovernment buildings and liridgcs. and upon re- 
turning to 'I'hree Rivers engaged with jiartncrs in 
the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, under 
the firm name of .\rnold. Wilcox A: Co. lie w.a.s 
thus occupied for a term of nine years, then sold 
out, and was not in any active business for two 
years thereafter. 

Our subject in the year 1M77 was elected Sheriff 
of St. .Joseph County on the Republican ticket, 
serving two years. I'pon retiring from this otiice 
he crossed the Mississippi into I>akot;i 'I'erritory, 
where he s|>eculated in lands considerably, and then 
returning to Three Rivers. engage<l in Itanking. 
hy purchasing slock in what was known as the 
Manufacturer's 15ank. he assisted in its reorganiza- 
tion in IHHI. when it wsis named the 'J'liree Rivers 
National Hank, and -Mr. Wilcox was made its cash- 
ier, lie has since conducted the business mostly, 
and with such good judgment that it is named 
among the solid institutions of the county. 

.Miss Ueliecca N. Caldwell, of Three Rivers, be- 
canu^ the wife of our suljject in Decemlier. I.S.'i'.l, the 
marriage taking |)lace at the residence of William 
Houdman. Flowerfiebl, St. Joseph Co.. Mich.. Mrs. 
Houdiuan l>eing sister of the bride. Mrs. Wilcox 
was born in Columbia County. I'a.. in 182'.l, and is 
the daughter of .Samuel and .lane Caldwell, who 
were natives of IVuMsyl vania. and spent their last 
years in Columbia County. I'a. Of this union 
there have been born three sons and one daughter. 
The latter. Laura K.. was the wife of .lohn W. .\dams. 
an attorne\ -al-I.Mw in Kalaina/o<>: >hc flied .Inlv .'! 1 . 



1 888. Edwanl K. married :S[iss Carrie Wolf, of 
Centerville, and is the assistant c.tshier of his fathci-; 
Charles W., a stenographer, also makes himself use- 
ful in the Three Rivers National IJank; HcTirv C. 
is studying in the Commercial College at Three 
Rivers. Mr. W^ilcox uniformly votes the Repub- 
lican ticket, and has served as Assessor and .Vlder- 
man. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, 
being a member of Three Rivers Lodge No. 57. 
an<l the Commandcry No. 2!l. For a number of 
years he liius been a mcmbor of tiie Ho:ird of Trus- 
tees of the Presbyterian Church. 

The mother of our subject after the death of her 
husband remaineil a widow for a period of thirty 
years, continuing a resident of N'an Huren County, 
this .State, where her death took |ilafein 1882. His 
eldest brother. Natiian W.. married Miss Irene Free- 
man, and is living in Tennessee, engaged in contract- 
ing; Calvin marrie<l Miss Rosana Stuyvesant, and 
with his sister. Mary .M., the wife of .1. Messneger. is 
a resident of Van Huren County, this State; both 
he and his brother-in-law are farmers; Sarah .V. 
married Ch.arlcs Horning, of Iowa, .and Martha A., 
the youngest of the girls, is the wife of W. G. 
Caldwell, of Three Rivers, this county. 

.VMIKL (ilHSON is one of the substantial 
farmers and solid citizens of Constant ine 
Township, where he resides on his highly 
cultivated farm, located on section 11. 
He was l)orn in Northumberland County. Pa.. Sept. 
22. 18:Ul. 'The earlier years of his life were p.assed 
on a farm, and his education w.as received in the 
common schools of the community. He came to 
St. .Iose|)h County with his father's family, and 
settled in Constantine 'Township in the spring of 
184!t, where he has since resided continuously. 

Mr. (iibson has been engaged in agricultural 
pursuits ail his life, although he has lieen and is 
interested in many other lines of business. His 
home farm comprises |.'?;1 acres, all of which is 
under a most complete state of cultivation. His 
improvements are of the mo.st extensive an<l sub- 
stantial nature. His residence is built of brick, in 
modern stvlc. and is haiidsdmely and comiiletcly 





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4<Mi 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



•f 



furnished tliroiighout — every (•onvenieiice obtaina- 
ble may be found within its ■walls. The barns and 
outhouses net-essar}' to the successful operation of 
his farm are models of their class, and represent 
the investment of a large sum of money, yet in the 
convenience of handling the crops of the farm and 
caring for the animals, it paj's a handsome interest 
on the cost. 

()ursul)ject was married, Dec. 20, 1860, in Con- 
stantine Township, to Miss ^lartha J. Green, a 
daughter of William W. and Jane A. (Gray) 
(ircen. She was born in t lunberland, R. I.. Sept. 
20, 1838. Her mother died in Dover, Cuyahoga Co., 
Ohio. Mr. Green was then married to Miss 
Betsey Taylor. Of the first union there were born 
four children: Thomas G.. now a resident of Cen- 
treville. this county; Christopher F., living in 
Constantine; Mrs. Gibson, the wife of our subject, 
and ^lary, the widow of Henry Driscol, who died 
in Porter Township. Cass County. Of tlie second 
marriage there was one child only, Lillie. the wife 
of Henry Sooy, of Cass County, this State. 

William W. Green was born in Providence. 
K. I., where he was married and lived until about 
181(1. engaged in farming pursuits. That year he 
removed with his wife and four cliildren to Ohio, 
and was a resident of Cuyahoga County eight 
}-ears. The faniilj- then changed their residence 
to PawPaw Township. Van 15ureu Co., ^lich.. 
where the father later retired from active life, and 
has since made his home with a daughter. 

Mr. Gibson is the father of six children, named 
Elizabeth J., Caroline I., John S.. Frances V., Ger- 
trude I. and AVilliam (i. The father of our subject, 
John (iibson. was liorn in Ireland; his mother, 
Elizabeth DeFrance. was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania. The father came from Ireland to Penn- 
sylvania when he was but two years of age. The 
grandfather of our subject was a .Scotchm.an. The 
parents came from Pennsylvania to .St. Joseph 
County in 1848. and in 1849 they settled in Con- 
st.antine Township, where they lived until tlie time 
of their death. 

In addition to his farming ojierations Mr. Gib- 
son owns valuable real estate outside of Constan- 
tine. He owns a brick block in the center of 
Three Rivers: he has also bought the Central 

4« 



State Bank, located in Geneseo, Rice Co., Kan., 
after it had been in operation about a year. His 
.son. John S. Gibson, is c.-ishier of the bank, and 
under Lis careful and conservative management it 
takes rank among the solid institutions of the 
St.ate. Mr. (Gibson also makes a specialty of loan- 
ing money to the citizens of St. Joseph County. 

Mr. Gibson's residence is located on what is 
known as Broad street. It presents the most hand- 
some appearance of anj- residence in the township. 
This elegant home is presided over by his estimable 
wife, who is a lady of refinement and taste. She is 
one of the leaders in the social life of the locality 
in which they live; genial .and good-hearted, she is 
always found in any enterprise having for its pur- 
pose the benefit of those in need. Those of the 
children who are at home form a charming family 
circle, and to a stranger visiting their house they 
extend every courtesy and attention. !Mr. Gibson 
possesses a strong personality, and where he is 
associated with his fellowmen in any enterprise of 
business or pleasure, he, by force of his character, 
impresses his individuality on the entire procee<I- 
ings so strongly, tliat one having seen the gentle- 
man would not fail to recognize the ruling spirit 
of the undertaking. In iX)litics he is identified 
with the Democratic party. Altliougli frequently 
solicited by his neighbors and friends to accept 
oflicial favors at their hands, he has steadfastly 
declined to do so. 

John Gibson, the father of our subject, was bom 
June 24, 1799. and came to this countiy with his 
f,ather. Samuel Gibson, in 1801. they settling in 
Lycoming County, Pa., where John was reared on 
a farm. I'pon reaching manhood he purch.ased 
land for himself, which he afterward sold and 
removed to Northumberland County, where he 
purch."»sed another farm of 106 acres» which he 
occupied until coming West. This journey was 
l^erformed in 1848. and he lived the first year in 
Northern Indiana, .adj.acent to the Michigan line. 
The following spring he rented 200 acres of land 
in Constantine Township, tliis county, which com- 
prises the ])resent homestead, lie was married to 
his wife. Elizal>eth 15. DeFrance. Dec. 15, 1825. 
This lady was of French extraction, and was born 
Oct. 1. 1799. near Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co,, Pa. 



f 



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-■► 



ST. .lOSKPH COUNTY. 



497 



In is|:i .Idliii (;il>s(»ii (•iiino to C'onstaiitinc. Mich.. 
with his fMinily. roiisistiiifi of his wife, seven eliil- 
(Ireu .Tiitl his fatiier. Tlie httter <lieil at tiie a<;e 
of eisfhty-two years and eijrht months. His wife 
(lied Dee. ."?. IH.'ill.nt tlie Jiireof sixty ye:us. I'.olh 
were devoted nieniliiTS of the I'resliyterinn ( liuich. 
in whieh tiie father hiid heen for many years 
an Khler in Northunihei land C'<»iinty, I'a., and 
w.o-s also an KIder in this eounty up to a sliort 
time before iiis deatii. To this worthy eouple 
tliere were liorn seven children: Ellen M. is the 
widow <»f William Daniels, and lives in Hillsdale 
County, this State; Nniiey D. is the wife of .lohn 
V. Wolf, a farmer and hanker near C'entreville; 
Samuel. (.>f our skeleh. was the third ehild; .Sarah 
.1. is the wife of Otis .Vrnold. of Three Uivers; 
.lulia married T. (i. (Ireene. of C'entreville; Will- 
iam F. is a resident of Three Rivers, as isalst) Mary 
K.. the wife of Georee Sluirtz. 



^^ 



K^'I C'OLK. .\s an exponent of the results 

kof industry and perseverance, the subject of 
this biography occupies a position in the 
front ranks. .Vfter years of arduous lalior he finds 
himself in possession of a competence, and now, 
pr.actieally retired from tlic active labors of life, is 
oeeu|)yin^ a comfortable home on Xotfciwa street, 
in Mendon N'illajre. lie looke<l u|Kjn St. Joseph 
County in its pioneer days, and has contributed his 
full quota to her development and |)rosperity. 

A native of the Huckeye State. Mr. Cole was 
liorn in Ornng^e Townshi]i, Cuyaho{?a Co.. Ohio, 
March 12. IKlM.and is the son of .lonathan and 
Lydia (Frisbie) Cole, who were natives of Connecti- 
cut. The Cole family is of En<rlish origin, and the 
ancestry of our subject it is believed emigrated to 
America during the Colonial days. .lonathan Cole 
w.as a farmer by <X'eupation. and emigrating from 
New England in early life, settled on the Western 
Reserve in Ohio, near the bank of tlie Chagrin 
River, where he s|)ent his last days, living to be an 
old man. He was twice marrie<l. his second wife 
having been Miss Lydia IJaker. who is still living, 
and residing in Cumberland, Md., with a marrie<l 
daughter. The father of our subject was success- 






ful in accumulating a good projierty. and is remcni- 
bered as a good man. a kind and indulgent parent, 
one who did good as he h.ad opiHirtnnity. He had 
identifieil himself with the Masonic fraternity, and 
piililically. supported the Democratic ])arty. The 
mother of our subject die<l aliout 1 8;W, in Cuya- 
hoga County. Ohio. 

Levi Cole w.as the seventh child of the parental 
household and the younger of his own mother's 
two children. Of the second marriage of his father 
there were born five children, three of whom are 
living, two residents of Missouri and one of .Mary- 
land. Levi, in common with the others, w:ls at an 
early age made familiar with farm pursuits. an<l ac- 
quired a very good education. He completed his 
studies in the city of Cleveland, after having been 
a student r>f the school at Chagrin Falls, and then 
enti'red the ollice of the Cleveland Hero Id, as clerk 
and l)Ook-keeper. After a year's experience in that 
line he decided upon coming to the farther West. 

Young Cole upon leaving his native Slate made 
his way first to Detroit, then to Kalamazoo, where 
he W!ts first em|iloyed as clork in a lumber-yanL 
and afterwaril for a time in a grocery store. In 
the fall of 1857 he came to Mendon, engaging here 
in the grocery business, his partner being Charles 
Gibbs, his former employer, and in the course of 
time managed to save a little money, which he in- 
vested in village property. This proved a ft)rtuu- 
ate move, and frtmi that time on he gave his .atten- 
tion principally to the building up of Mendon. 
having now four gf)od business blocks and two 
residences. In the former is inclutled the Opera 
House, a structure three stories in height and cover- 
I ing an area of (KJxHlt fi'ct. It has a seating capacity 
of «(i(i, ami h,as become one of ilu' inclispensiible 
institutions of the place. 

Our subject was first married in .Mendon. Sept. 
6, l«(i;5, to .Miss Emma A. tiihbs. who bec«me the 
mother of one child, a daughter. Grace L., and died 
at their home in Mendon. .Tan. (>, IH72. Their 
daughter Grace is the wife of Henjamin F. Os- 
gowl, the village Postmaster. On the i'.Uh of 
.lanuary. 1h7:5. our subject contracted a .second 
matrimonial alliance, with Miss Margaret .McFall. 
This lady was born in Erie County, Ohio, Feb. 14, 
1841. and is the daughter of William H. and .Sarah 



f 



498 



8T. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



^•^T^ 



II. (Mackey) McFall. wlio were natives respectively 
of Pennsylvania and Xew .Jersey. Mr. McFall was 
born in 1814 and is still livinir. making his home 
in Sanduskj', Ohio. Tlie mother died in 18.53 in 
Erie County. Ohio. They were the parents of 
eight children, one of whom died in infancy-. Mrs. 
Cole was the second child. After the death of his 
first wife Mr. ^leFall was married the second time, 
to Miss Clara Miles, by wlioin he became the father 
of four more children. He has been a Deacon in 
the IMetliodist Episcopal Church for a period of 
thirty years, and belongs to the Masonic fraternit}-. 
Politicallj", he affiliates with the Republican party. 
(Jf tins marriage of our subject there have been 
born three children: Kamiy I)., Nov. 22, 1875; 
Tula M., March 21). 1877. .•ind Leva M.. .lune 26. 
1879. 

The Cole residence is one of tlic finest in the 
village of Meinloii. and our subject and his esti- 
mable wife are numbered anionic its most iiighly re- 
spected citizens. Roth are members in gco I stand- 
ing of the Episcopal Church, in whii'h .Mi-. Cole 
has served as Treasurer and Trustee for some time. 
Politically, he is a stanch Democrat. He has held 
the various minor offices, including those of Town- 
ship and ^'i^age Treasurer an<l A'illage Trustee. 



^^EORGE ALBERT ANGEVINE, a lifelong 
III (s=- resident of Mendon Township, it being his 
^^gil native place, is a son of one of the earliest 
pioneers of Michigan, who came within its borders 
prior to the time it was transformed from a Terri- 
tory to a .State. The latter, Stephen I). Angevine, 
was a native of Putnam County, N. Y., and born 
near the city of Poughkeepsie. He married Miss 
Jane A. Wotxls, a native of Center County, Pa. 

The father of our subject at an earl}' period in 
his life became a resident of Niagara Count}-, N. 
Y.. and thence emigrated to this county. Miss 
Woods came about 1829 with her father, who 
located in Washtenaw Count}' during the period of 
its early settlement, and a few years later removed 
to Nottawa. The young people were married ni 
Centreville, and settled in Mendon Township upon 
a tract of new land, in 1843, from which they con- 



structed a liomestead, and where they spent the 
remainder of their lives. The father rested from 
his earthly labors June 19, 1878, in the sixty-third 
3'ear of his age. The mother passed away some 
3'ears after the decease of her husband, April 8, 
1883, in the sixty-fourth j-ear of her age. They 
were the parents of three children, one of whom, a 
son,<lied y(3ung. .Samuel II., the brother of our sub- 
ject, is a resident of Mendon. 

The subject of this sketch first opened his eyes 
to the light at the modest homestead of his parents 
in Mendon Township, Nov. 16, 1843. The farm 
was located on section 32, and is now the i)roperty 
of Samuel II. George, like his brother, spent his 
boyhood and youth making himself useful to his 
parents, aivl acquiring his education in the ciistrict 
schools. He took kindly to the pursuits of agri- 
culture, and has wisel}' been content to make of 
farming his life vocation, finding ample satisfaction 
in the quiet pursuits of country life and the results 
of his labors. In no iiaste to marry, his wedding 
occurred after ho had reached tiie twenty-fifth year 
of his age, Dec. \i>. 1808, the lady of his choice be- 
ing Miss Marion R. Ilendrickson.and the ceremonj' 
Uiking place at the village of Mendon. This 
lady became the mother of three children — Clar- 
ence L., Orley C. and Lulu M. She passed away 
on the I6th of Ma}'. 1881. She was a native of 
Pennsylvania, and the daughter of Abram and 
Mary A. (Moore) Hendrickson, who spent their 
last years in Mendon. Our subject contracted a 
second marriage, at Three Rivers, April 4, 1888, 
with Mrs, Marion A. Briggs, widow of Charles D. 
Briggs, vvho died in Constanline, this State, Feb. 
20, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs were the parents 
of one child only, a daughter, Kittie L., who is 
now sixteen years of age. 

The present wife of our subject was born Se|)t. 
22, 1852, in Three Rivei-s, and is the daughter of 
Sylvester and Louisa (Carpenter) Troy, who were 
natives of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts respect- 
ively, and came to Michigan about 1834. Mrs. 
Troy departed this life twenty-eight years ago, at 
her home in Three Rivers, in 1860. Mr. Troy was 
again married, and he and his wife make their home 
in Three Rivers. Mr. Angevine has been identified 
with tlic Masonic fraternity since a young man 



r 



■^•- 



-■»• 



ST. JOStlMI COUNTY. 



49i> 



twtMity-one years old. wlion lie associated liiniself 
with tlie ludt-e at Meiidon. lie is a nictiilier of 
Blue Lodjje No. 137. and also Centreville Chapter 
No. II. Politically, he belongs to the Deiiiocralic 
party. His homestead comprises 1 MO acres of fer- 
tile land, upon which tlierc are fairly good liiiild- 
ings, and everything around pleasant and comfort- 
able. 

Our subject and his estimable wife number their 
friends by the score in this county, where they are 
widely known, and with whose interests they have 
been identified from youth up. The father of our sub- 
ject wasa man prominent in his coninmnity. and held 
the various township oIKces. discharging his duties 
in that conscientious manner which was one of his 
loading characteristics. Cieorge A. has neversought 
ortiee. preferring to give his attention to his farm 
and family. Among the men who have assisted iu 
the ilevelopment of .St. Joseph County none have 
maintained a warmer interest in its prosperit}'. 

/*s^ KY.MOIK II. AXDIil'.W s. one of the most 
^^5^ worthy residents of I-"lowerliekl Townshi]), 
li\£_lj) was born in I'osey County, Ind., Oct. 22. 
1822, and removed with his parents a few 
years later to Ontario County, X. Y.. where he 
grew to man's estate. He received a common-school 
education, .and continue<l a resident of the Knipire 
State until the spring of IH'ti. Then, resolving to 
cast his lot with the (leople of the young and grow- 
ing State of Michigan, he came to FlowerHeld 
Townsliii). and located on section ."M, where he has 
since resided. Mis property embraces eighty-seven 
and one-half acres in the homestead proper, while 
he lia-s lifteen acres on section 2(5. lie ha.s erected 
.substantial buildings, and has signalized himself as 
a straightforward and industrious citizen, one who 
in constructing a minlel homestead has contributed 
thus far toward the development of St. .loseph 
County. 

Nathan An<lrews. our subject's father, wa,s born in 
Rhode Island, in 17H2, and died in Ontario County, 
N. Y., at the age of sixty -six years. He also was 
a mason l)v trade.and a quiet and unobtrusive citi- 
zen, who made a srood livinjr for his family and 



fulfilled the duties of life in a praiseworthy nuiii- 
ner. The mother. Mrs. Orplia ( IJutlcr) .Andrews, 
was a native of York State, within whose limits she 
spent her entire life. .*»he also died at the home- 
stead in Ontario County, having survived her hus- 
band many years, and passing away at the advanced 
age of ninety-three. They were the parents of six 
children — Seymour. William. Frank. Truman and 
two girls. 

Seymour .Andrews wh<'n about thirty-one years 
of age wa.s married, in Ontario County, X. Y., to 
Miss Chloe lienson. who only lived a few years, 
her death taking i)lai-ein 1H")(!. Of this union there 
were born two children: (icorge. who is now oecu- 
pied as a inason in Flowerlield. and James H.. who 
is folhiwing the same trade in Ooshen. Ind. Mr. 
Andrews contracted a second marriage, July !l. 
1866, with Mrs. Keziah Lewis (Hazen) (irillith. 
the widow of William (Jrittith. and at the time of 
her second marriage a resident of Flowerlield. Hy 
Mr. Crrifflth she became the mother of five chil- 
dren, four of whom are living. Louisa X. is the 
wife of George Dougl.as. a rcsitlent of Jack.-ion 
County. 111.; Henry C. married Jliss Ilattie Dewey; 
they reside in Xewburg Townsliip. Cass Co.. Mich., 
and have one son. Lucinda and Josephine are at 
home. Mrs. Keziah Andrews was born Aug. !>, 
1827. in Canada, and is the daughter of Thomas 
and Hannah (Jennings) Lewis, the father of Irish 
birth and parentage an <l born in 1791. The mother 
was born in Xew York State in 1801. Both are 
now deceased. They were the parents of eight 
children, who are recorded .as follows: .Sarah and 
Mary are deceased; l'liel>e is married, and lives at 
Tekonsha, this .State; Hilda, a resident of Calhoun 
County, is married and the mother of two children; 
Keziah. Mrs. .Vndrews, was the fifth child; Rachel 
died in infancy; William, a resident of Michigan, 
is married and has one child; .\nnie is the wife of 
David Dunton,of I'nionCity. The maternal great- 
grandfather. Israel Hutler. served as a soldier in 
the Revolutionary War. and after the struggle was 
ended was the recipient of a pension until his <leath. 
His son Xathan later cnrrii-d a musket in the War 
of 1812. Thomas Lewis also served in this war. 
He was a worthy citizen and a member in good 
standing of the Inited Brethren Church. 



<*• 



JL 



500 



t 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



Mr. Andrews upon reaching manliood identified 
liimself with tlie Democratic party. lie remains 
loj'al to liis first political faith, and has held the 
various school offices of his townsliip. besides fill- 
ing other positions of trust and responsibilit}-. He 
bears the distinction of being one of the oldest 
living settlers of Flowerfield Townsliip, coming 
here before the laying out of the village of this 
name, wlien he was obliged to transport his prod- 
uce to the little village of Three Rivers, obtain- 
ing there also his provisions. lie can tell manj' 
interesting tales of life in the pioneer times, and no 
man has taken more genuine satisfaction in noting 
the growtli and progress of tlio Wolverine State. 

-f^feJ- ^- 



w sr 



tlLLIAM M. IKELER. The medical pro- 
ion of St. Joseph County is probably as 
rly represented as in any community of 
the State. The subject of tliis sketch, a physician 
and surgeon in the enjoyment of a good practice, 
was born near Bloorasburg, Columbia Co., Pa., 
Sept. 12. 1843, and was the fifth in a family of nine 
children, the offspring of John and Mary (Lauback) 
Ikeler. who were both of German descent. John 
Ikelcr was a farmer bj' occupation, and with his 
excellent wife is now living with his son, the Doctor. 
The boyhood of our subject was spent after the 
manner of most farmer's sons, attending the district 
school in winter, and working around the homestead 
in summer. He completed his literary education at 
the academj' at New Columbia, Pa., and at the age 
of twenty-six years began reading medicine under 
the instruction of Dr. W. E. Barrett, of Cambria, 
Pa. Upon being sufficiently advanced he entered 
the medical department of the State University of 
Michigan at Ann Arbor, and was graduated from 
this institution in the spring of 1670. 

Our subject began the practice of his profession 
on the 1st of March, 1870, as the partner of bis old 
instructor. Dr. Barrett, with whom he continued two 
years. He then purchased the business of Dr. B., 
continued in Cambria two years longer, and thence, 
in 1874, turned his steps toward this county. He 
establislied himself in Three Rivers at once, being 
successful from the start, and on the 16th of Feb- 



ruarj', 1880. formed a partnership with Dr. Law- 
rence D. Knowles. This firm is now recognized as 
among the leading ones in the profession in this 
county. Dr. Ikeler is a member of the American 
Medical Association, the State Medical Association 
and the Kalamazoo Academy of Medicine. Socially, 
he is a prominent Knight Templar in Masonry, and 
religiously, an active member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, being President of the Board of 
Trustees, and otliciating as Chorister for the past 
ten years. His love for music was developed atan 
earl3' age, and to this art he gives much time and 
attention. 

The lady who has presided over the home of our 
subject for a period of sixteen years was in her girl- 
hood Miss Harriet M. Fellows, and their marriage 
was celebrated at Schoolcraft. Mich., in 1872. Mrs. 
Ikeler was born Oct. 19, 1848, near Schoolcraft, 
Midi., and is the daughter of Abiel and Anne 
(Insle}') Fellows, who were natives of Peuns3'lvania, 
whence Later the}' removed to K.ilamazoo County, 
tliis State. Of this union there have been born 
three daughters, Anne. Maj' and Hazel, who are 
now living at home. The home of the Doctor is 
pleasantly situated in the central part of the city^ 
and both in its interior and surroundings indicates 
the exercise of cultivated tastes and ample means. 



€^1 



^5=5^E0RGE W. LELAND. the proprietor of a 
f|| ,5-, good farm in Mendon Township, is located 
^^J in the western portion of section 30, where 
he has 120 acres of good land with fair improve- 
ments, and with his little family, consisting of his 
wife and one son. Roscoe G., lives comfortably and 
in the enjoyment of many of the good things of 
life. He is a man held in universal respect by the 
people of his communit}', couiteous and kindly in 
disposition, thorough as a farmer, and prompt and 
reliable as a business man. 

Our subject comes of excellent Pennsylvania 
stock, being the son of Andrew M. and Sarah K. 
(Pellet) Leiand, who were natives respectively of 
Columbia and Pike Counties, Pa., and who came to 
Michigan in earl}' life, about 1835-36, with their 
respective parents. The two families settled in 



t 



-4«- 



ST. JOSEl'H COL'NTV. 



-•» 



JOl 



-i 



LiH'kport anil Moiidim Townsliips. tliiscoiiiity. wlicre 
Antlipw M. Li'latul mihI Mi^^s i'l'llet wcrt' ii).'irrir<l. 
They lived for a lime in I'aik Township, wlience 
they retniiveil later to Menilon, where the father 
luiri'liased land, and engaged in faniiingnianj' years 
until the fall of 1882. Then, retiring from active 
lalior, lie took up his al)o<le in town, where he now 
lives.. 

The parental household included originally six 
children, only three of whom lived to mature years, 
namely: William 1'.. George W. and Charles W. 
Our subject was liorn in Park Township, this 
county, Sept. 27, IS 10, ancl spent his hoyliood and 
\"outh in a manner common to the sous of pioneer 
farmers, acquiring his eiluuation in the district 
.school, and making himself useful at an early age 
about the homestead. He was first married in Not- 
tawa Township, in 1872. to Miss Cassie Clark, 
daughter of the late William T. Clark, of Xottawa 
Township. Mrs. Cassie Leiaud died at her home in 
Ni>ltawa in 1874, when about twenty-four years old. 

Our subject contracted a second marriage, Dec. 
22, 1875, in Mendon Township, witii Miss Lydia .M., 
daughter of David and Hannah lluimbach. This 
lad}' was born in Pennsylvania in 1K|'.». Her par- 
ents were natives of Pennsylvania, and are now in 
Michigan. Their family consisted of nine children. 
The oidy son of Mr. and Mrs. Leiaud, Hoscoe G.. 
was born .lune 17. 1885, and is a promising lad of 
three years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Leiand are members in good stand- 
ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Park, to 
which they give a liberal support, ami are num- 
bered among its chief pillars. Tlie^' also belong to 
Park Grange No. 22, P. of H. Mr. Leiand, politi- 
cally, is a warm adherent of the Greenback party. 
AVilllam P. Leiand, brother of our subject, died ill 
Mendon Township in August, 1883. 



KXUY L. COOPER. The well-known and 
Y popular gentleman whose name prefaces 
^ this sketch is numbered among the success- 
ful farmers of Flowerfleld Township, of 
wliich he has been a resi<lent since early manhood. 
He came to this county when a yiMiiig man of 



*T 



twenty-four years, and has been closely identified 
with its development and prosperity. Of substan- 
tial parentage, he was born in Bucks County, Pa.. 
.Sept. 2, 18;5(). where he ileveloped into manhood, 
receiving the education commonly acquired in the 
public schools. His boyhood was s|»ent mostly on 
his father's farm, but when a youth of sixteen 
years, with the common desire of the young for 
change, he repaired to Bristol, in his native count}', 
where he commenced an apprenticeship at the trade 
of cooper, serving five years, and becoming thor- 
oughl}' acquainted with the business in all its details. 
Young Cooper, upon reaching his majority, left his 
native .State for Ohio, taking up his abode in the 
city of Dayton, in December, 1851, and living there 
about one year. Next we fiml him at St. Mark's, 
where he remained until the fall of 1853, occupied 
at his trade. Thence he proceeded to Ft. Wayne, 
Ind., where he busied himself .as a coo|)er until the 
spring of 185(>, when we find him at Union .Mills, 
fortj'-two miles from Ft. Wa3'ne, which remained 
his residence until 1855. 

The spring of the year above mentioned found 
our subject in Three Kivers. this county, and there 
being little call for the services of a journeyman 
cooper, he engaged at Wheeler's distillery, where 
he remained until April, 1857, when the property 
was destroyed by fire. His next stopping-place was 
in Flowerfield. of which he h.as since been a resident 
most of the time. Here he entered another dis- 
tillery, where ho worked, however, only about four 
weeks. Returning for a time to Three Rivers, the 
Wheeler distillery in the meantime being rebuilt, 
ho .assisted in beginning operations there, and re- 
maineil until December, 1H57. On the 2-lth of 
that month he was married to Miss Sarah, daughter 
of William and Salome Parker, antl the young peo- 
ple beg.an housekeeping at Three Rivei-s. Two 
years later they removed to the old .Shurtz farm, 
near the then unim|wrtiint village of Three Rivers, 
where Mr. Cooi)er c;irrieil on agriculture for a 
time, then entered the employ of Peter Plummer. 
who was proprietor of a machine-shop. 

In the spring of 18G() Mr. Cooper, who had 
alwa^'s been interested in enterprises calculated to 
advance the people, assisted in the erection of the 
first High School building in Three Rivers, and the 



-4*- 



302 



4^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



j'ear following made his first purchase of re&l es- 
tate, a small tract of himl three miles from Three 
Rivers, which was his first real home after leaving 
his father's roof. Here he put up a cooper shop, 
and had laid many plans for the future which the 
outbreak of the Rebellion put to (light, .as in the 
ease of thousands of others. On the 2d of August, 
1S61. laying asiile his personal plans and interests, 
he enlisted as a Union soldier in C'umiJan^' G, 2.ith 
Michigan Infanlrj'. the company under command 
of Capt. Tulkerson, and the regiment commanded 
by Col. Moore. He remained in the army until 
September, 1864, and then, on aceountof disability 
incurred from hardshii) and |)rivation, was obliged 
to accept his honorable discliarge. He was mus- 
tered out at Louisville, Ky.. and at once returned 
to his home, where he lived until lt<66. 

Our subject, now having accumulated some 
capital, sold out, and purcluised 120 Hcres on sec- 
tion 20, Flowerfield Township, where he commenced 
farming, but only retained possession of his prop- 
ertj- until the following year. In 1869 he pur- 
chased a farm in Cass County, to which he removed, 
antl where he lived until April. 1880. Then, re- 
turning to Flowerfield Township, he jjurchased his 
present homestead on section 22. Here he h.as ef- 
fected good improvements, and lias been quite 
prominent in local affairs, holding the office of 
Town Clerk since 1886, and occupying other posi- 
tions of trust. He was a Whig before the or- 
ganization of the Republican parly, and since that 
time has been a stanch supporter of Republican 
principles. A man prompt to meet his obligations, 
upright in his dealings with his fellow-citizens, he 
is held in high esteem, and nuu)bered among the 
representative men of St. .Joseph County. 

Mrs. Cooper was born Sept. 15, 1839. in Bucks 
County, Pa., and of her union with our subjec'' 
there were born twelve children, cmly seven of 
whom are living, five sons and two daughters. The 
five sons are all at home. Thej* were named re- 
spectively: William A., born A|>ril lt>, 1858; 
Samuel D., Dec. 23, 1861 ; Pearson, Aug. 1 1, 1867; 
Delaware. April 25, 1872; Henrietta Matilda, .Ian. 
23. 1.S63: Ida M.ny, June 22. 18G5; Bisuiark. Sept. 
20, 1878. Mr. Cooper, the father of our subject, 
followed farming all his life, and spent his last years 



at Holmesville. Pa., where his decease took place in 
1869. The mother of Jlr. Cooper, our subject, 
died of cholera iu 1^32, when he was a little child 
two yeai-s of age. 



-3i^ 



^^ EORGE C. BRISSE ITE. The clothing trade 
■l( ,=, of Three Rivers finds a most energetic rep- 
^^^ji resentative in this gentleman, who. in fact, 
stands in a position not far from the head. He 
possesses a practical knowledge of the business, has 
excellent taste in the selection of goods and also in 
the manufacture of material into garments. His 
patronage comes from the best citizens of the place, 
among whom he is a favorite both in social and 
business circles. 

Mr. Brissette is a native of the Dominion of Can- 
ada, having been born in the Province of Ontario, 
Sept. 26, 1 840. His parents were Peter and Mar- 
garet (Chenever) Brissette, the former a farmer antl 
miller by occupation. Their famil}' consisted of 
eleven children, seven of whom lived to mature 
years, and George C. was the youngest. He received 
a good education, and after emerging from the 
primary school entered Joliette College, where he 
pursued his studies three years. 

Upon leaving his native |>lace Mr. Brissette mi- 
grated to Plattsburg, N. Y., where he became a 
clerk in the post-ollice, and afterward was employed 
in a general store a 3'ear. We next find him at De- 
troit, Mich., as an em]>loye of Mr. E. Lieberman, a 
merchant, with whom he remained eighteen months, 
having charge most of this time of a branch store 
in East Saginaw. Later he returned to Detroit and 
entered the main store. Subsequently he became a 
clerk in the store at an advanced salary, remaining 
with that firm until April, 1865. as head clerk of 
the reUiil dciwrtment. 

Mr. Brissette came to Three Rivers in the latter 
part of 1865. and soon afterward associated himself 
with William H. Cook in the clothing trade, which 
partnership was dissolved a year later, Mr. B. pur- 
chasing the interest of his partner. His present store 
occupies No. 52 SU Joseph street, and is equipped 
with all the conveniences for the rapid transaction 

♦ 



f 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



503 



of luisinoss. He lins n residence on Main street, 
whicli wns put uj) in 18«". in llie Queen Anne style 
of architecture. Mr. B. bas been quite prominent 
in Ioc.nl affairs, oflicialing as a memlicr of the City 
Council, anil occupying otlier positions of trust. .So- 
cially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which 
he ofliciate'l as Kmiiient C'linininniler two years. 

February. 1 87 1, witnessed the marriage of our 
subject with Jliss Louisa Antes, the ceremony be- 
ing performed at tlie bride's home in Centreville. 
Mrs. B. is the youngest in a family of eleven chil- 
dren. To our subject and his wife there have been 
born two sons, llie elder of whom. Oeorge A., died 
when an interesting little l.id of six year*. Tlu'sur- 
viving child is Charles A. 

-Mr. Brisscltc took his first lesson in Knglish at 
Plattsburg, N. Y.. and subsequently gained a good 
knowledge of French, being al)le to read and talk 
fluently. His father at one time was wealth}-, but 
signed his name to notes for a friend, meeting with 
the usual results of such a transaction. On account 
of this our subject w.as called home from college 
and compelled to abandon his studies and .assist in 
the maintenance of the family. 

^ ' ^ ' I ' I ' m" — 



*~ 



KANDKH U. \VKIM',i:i{(;.a pioneer of 44, 
came to this county in the spring of that 
/L^^ year from his native place. Kit-ton, Pa., 
where he was bf(rn March 18, 1821. His first en- 
terprise in the West wa-s as a teamster in Three 
Rivers, and he labore<l to such g<K>d advantage 
that the year folUiwing he was enablefl to invest a 
little capital of ti2<M) in forty .ncres of land on sec- 
tion .36. in Flowerlield Township. The home which 
he then establishe<l ha.s l«e<'n his to the present 
time, a period of over forty-four years. The home- 
stead pro|K'r embnices eighty-eight acres of land, 
to which he has given his special attention, gatlier- 
ing around him all the comf<»rts and conveniences 
of modern life. He has lieen greatly pros|)ered, 
and from time to time adrle<l to his first purchase 
until he liecame the owner of 1!*2 acres, which he 
now has. 

Our subject was reared in Northampton Count}', 
Pa., and soctireil a conimon-school cilucation in bL« 



native town of Ka.ston. Before coming to the Wot 
he took unto liinL-^elf a wife and helpmate, being 
married in .Vrmstrong County. Pa.. Dec. 21. 1842. 
to Mi>s (atlierinc Kiin.selman. Tlii." l;idy was l>orii 
in Schuylkill County. Pa., in 1 821!, and accompan- 
iwl her husband to the West, remaining his faitliful 
and affectionate companion a |H-rio<l of alKjut forty- 
six years. pa.ssing away at the homestead in Flow- 
erfield Township when sixty-two years old, Dec. 
;j. IKHM. Of this marriage there were lx>rn eleven 
chililren. 

Mr. Weinberg, on the 2;Hh of .September. 1880, 
contracted a seconfl marria<;c. with .Mrs. Sybil C. 
(Furman) Beamier. This l.ady is the daughter of 
Rol»ert and Mary (Potter) Furman. the former a 
native of New York State, and was herself bom in 
Niagara County, that State, Dec. 11. 185.5. The 
family came to Michigan about 1869. and the 
mother died in .lonesville. Hillsdale County, at 
the age of sixty-five years. .Mr. Furman is still 
living, making his home in Virginia, and is now 
about seventy years old. 

(Jeorge Weinl»erg. the father of our subject, was 
born in Northampton County. Pa., and marriinl Miss 
.Susana Sweetzer. a native of Northampton County. 
Pa. The household circle wjis completA-d by the birth 
of nine children, only four of whom are now liv- 
ing. Leander H.. of our sket<'h. w:ls the fourth 
child of the family; one brother. .MonrfK'. is a 
prosi)erou.s grain dealer at Moorepark. this county; 
Oeorge lives near that pl.ice on a farm; .Mary Ann 
is the wife of Abraham .Mohney. of Thri-e Rivers; 
.Jerry died at .Moorepark in Octoljcr. lx«6. when 
aliout thirtj- years of age. and Ifeulx-n lives at 
Three Rivers; he is a retired farmer. 

Our sultject is the father of eleven children by 
the first wife and none by the s<'c<jnd. Of these 
seven are living. The eldest. .loseph. is a resident 
of Fabius Township, where he is carrying on farm- 
ing; Miss Polly continues her residence at the 
homestead; Catherine, or -Kate" as she is famil- 
iarly called, is the wife of Kdwanl Tackalierry. and 
the mother of two children — Floyd and Mattie: 
they live in Flowerfield Township. Sarah .Lane. 
Mrs. Winfiehl Hopkins, lives on a farm in Fabius 
Township, and is the mother of one child, a son, 
Neal: f harlcj" C. marrie<l Miss Kllen Oemlwrling. 






JL 



<^ 



a04 



,t 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



who became the mother of om- ihild. a son. Hay. 
and died April 2!). 1888. when Imt twenty-two 
years of age; Pharus K. married Miss Minnie 
Gemberling, and lives on a farm in Flowerfield 
Township; tliey liave two ehihlren — Mande and 
Winfiekl. Elmer Egbert continues at home with 
liis ])arents. 

Mr. Weinljerg has been quite ])i'ominent in local 
affairs, holding the otlicc of County Coroner two 
terms, also those of Town Treasurer .-ind Highway 
Commissioner. Tie and his family belong to the 
United Brethren Church. Mi-. W. votes thestraight 
Republican ticket, and during the late Rebellion 
suffered the loss of his eldest son. William Harri- 
son, who, in the fall of 18(51. enlisted at Three 
Rivers in Company E. lltli Michigan Infantry, 
wliicli was at first commanded )iy Ca])t. Spencer, 
and later by Capt. Illcks. \\'illiani fought with 
his comrades bravely and faithfully until during 
the siege of Atlanta, when he met his death on tiie 
field of battle. .Vug. 7. 1H(!I. when but twenty -one 
years old. Ills rem.alns imw till a soldier's grave 
at Atlanta. C<a. 



ANIEL E. THO.MAS, M. D.. who is suc- 
cessfully practicing medicine In Constan- 
,«, t^ tine Villai;e, ranks In skill and learnlnij 
among the leading physicians of St. .Jo- 
seph Count}'. Besides attending to his profes- 
sional duties the Doctor lakes an active part in 
the administration of civic affairs, and holds a 
prominent position in the village government. The 
community is greatly indebted to hlin for his deep 
interest in educational matters, he having been a 
member of the School Board for some years, and is 
at present Cliairinan of the Town Board of School In- 
spectors, and has alwa3S used his inlhicnce to secure 
good schools for the education of the young in this 
locality. His wisdom and advice are valued in the 
sessions of the Village Council, of which he is an 
esteemed member. He is a sound Republican in 
his political views and relations. Rellgionsly, he 
and his wife are among the most prominent mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Dr. Thomas was born in Ui>yallon. Niagara Co., 



N. Y., May 20, 1829. His parents were Eben and 
Mary (Cheney) Thomas, who were of New En- 
gland birth. After the birth of their family of 
seven sons, of whom our subject was the youngest, 
they removed from their old home in Niagara 
County, N. Y., to Callioun County, Mich., and 
settled on a farm among the pioneers of that part 
of the State. The father afterward died there on 
his homestead, and the mother subsequently went 
to .Sauk County, Wis., and spent her remaining 
years with one of her sons. 

Our subject was a l.ad of nine 3'ears when he 
came to Michigan with his parents, and he w.as 
reared to manhood on his father's farm. He was 
an apt scholar, and with praiseworthj' ambition de- 
voted himself to gaining an education, having to 
]).ay his own way at school with money thai he earned 
by working out summers and teaching winters, 
lie thus prepared himself for college, and was an 
early student at Olivet College, in Eaton County, 
Mich. After leaving that Institution he began to 
study medicine with llie late Dr. TImms, of Hills- 
dale County, .Mich., and in the fall of 18.i6 he en- 
tered the medical department of the .State Univer- 
sity at Ann Arbor. He received his diploma, and 
was graduated from therein the spring of 1858, 
and establislie<i himself In his profession at Ed- 
wardsburg, in Cass County. He remained there 
some six years, and then removed to Hillsdale, 
Mich., where he practiced about a j'ear and a half. 
In the fall of 1866 he took advantage of a fine 
opening for a goad ph\'sician In the village of Con- 
stantlne, where he has since lived in a comfortable 
home, and enjoys quite an extensive practice. 

Dr. Thomas has been twice married. He was 
first married in Ontwa Township, Cass Co., Mich., 
to i[lss Ann Ormsby. She was born in Cleveland 
Townslii|>. Elkhart Co., Ind.. Nov. 24, 1836. She 
died at Cliar.lon, Geauga Co., Ohio, of consump- 
tion, Aug. 4, 1863. leaving one son, Everett D., 
who resides in CcMistantine. The Doctor's mar- 
riage to his present wife took place in Edwnrdsbuig. 
Cass County, Aug. 18, 1864. Mrs. Thom.is. whose 
maiden name was Martha E. Mead, was born in 
Ontwa Township, Cass Count}', Aug. 13, 1842. 
She was a daughter of Henry H. and Mary (Paine) 
Mead. Her father died in Cass County, in 1842. 



■♦- 



ST. .JOSEPH COUNTY. 



50u t i 




llcr motliPi- survives at an advanceil age. To Dr. 
ami Mrs. 'I'humas have l)een liorn three children: 
Ik-rlierl M.. whd died when over two yeiirs of aj^e; 
Wilber F., whosUidied hiwat C'onslantine with I'nis- 
eciiting Attorney F. \V. Knowlen, has been admitted 
to the bar, and is now enijajfed in practice at White 
Pigeon, St. Joseph (.'ount^', and Herbert I)., who is 
a clerk in a store in Chicago, HI. 

.\],V1N W. i;\ ANS, of the linn of Kvans 
(k Kaiser, grocers and bakers, Sturgis, has 
already established an excellent reputation 
as a young man of exceptional business talent, 
keen, shrewd and jirompt in his dealings, and ever 
courteously attentive to the want.* of his custo- 
mers. .Mtliough he h.ns been in business here but 
a few months, yet, with tlic aid of Ids able partner, 
lie liiis secured a large and profitable trade, and 
bids fair in the course of a few years, if his suc- 
cess continues uninterrupted, to become one of the 
mone^-ed men of Sturgis. Our subject comes of 
good old New Kngland stock, and his name and 
lineage are indissolubly connected with the early 
history of that part of the country. 

Calvin Ivvans, father of our subject, was a native 
of .Maine, his ancestf)rs coming from England at 
an early day, bi'lon;;ing to the aristocracy of that 
time, and leaving England on account of political 
didiculties. In about 1841 he became a resident of 
Newark. Wayne Co., N. Y.. and was there pros- 
jwrously engaged in business as a shoe maker and 
dealer for nearly forty j-ears. He married Abigail 
Wyman. whf> was born near the village of Randolph. 
^'t.. on a farm that nestled at the f(xit of the (ircen 
Mount.iins of Vermont, in the year 1812. Her 
l)arents were of old Welsh st<K'k. and died when 
she was a child, and she was adopted by Mr. 
S|)encer, father of the noted Spencer, the great 
perfume and extract manufacturer of New York 
City. Her marriage with the father of our sub- 
ject was productive of nine children, eight of 
whom are still living, namely: >ronroe. fleorge 
W.. .bime.s W., Mary (now Mrs. Warren), Helen 
(Mrs. Hinton). Ludelia H. (Mrs. Stroud), Hattie 



(.Mi-s. dates) and our subject. Their daughter 
Elizabeth married Mr. Simpson, and died at the 
age of thirty-nine, leaving live children. The 
father of our subject died in 1881. thus rounding 
out an honorable life of seventy -one years. His 
wife died in 1876, having atUiineil the age of 
sixty-four years. 

Calvin Evans, of whom we write, was born in 
Newark, N. Y., March 18. 18j4. His l)oyhoo<l 
was passed in his native place, and there he re- 
ceived a sound, practical education, well fitting 
him for a business life. In 18(;8 he left the pa- 
rental home and made his w.iy to Sturgis. The 
following year we hear of him in Springfield. 
Mo., where he obtained a clerlcsliip in a dry-goods 
store. He retained that position eighteen months, 
and while there saw the first train come in on the 
Frisco Raihv.ny; 1870 found him again in Stur- 
gis. In the same year he returned to his birth- 
pl.ace. Desiring to still further su|>plement his edu- 
cation, he attended school two years, and in the 
fall of 1872 once more made his appearance in 
Sturgis .and has made his home here the most of 
the time since. He obtained employment in the 
grocery and bakery of Rice iV Co.. with whom he 
staid nine years, thus gaining a thorough knowl- 
edge of his present business down to the minutest 
detail. He began business for himself in .January. 
1882. as a grocer, and sold out in 1884. The 
three following years he was employed in Sturgis' 
furniture factory. At the expiration of that time 
he received the appointment of mail messenger on 
the Lake Shore Road between Chicago and Cleve- 
land. In October, 1888, he resigned that position, 
his resignation being accepted November 12. He 
then went into the grocery and bakery business, 
with James Ryan as partner. The latter sold, his 
interest in the store to Mr. Kaiser Dec. 2, 188K. 
They do a gooil luisiness and have a large whole- 
sale and retail baking trade, :is they y^upply this 
tjwn and neighboring village with bread. 

Mr. Evans w;is united in marriage to Miss Id.-i 
L. Dice April 27. 187.). .She is a daughter of .John 
A. Dice, a grocer of Chicago, HI. Mrs. Evans 
W!xs born at Sturgis. .Tan. 11. \H')G. The pleasant 
wedded life of our subject Iku* been blessed to 
him by the birth of two children: Mabel D.. who 



-4*- 



' ) 506 



^^ ^ V <« 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



was born Feb. 12. 1876: and .lames B.. who was 
born Nov. 27. 1S^«1. 

Mr. and ^Irs. Kvan* move in tlie liijilie^i >iKiut\ 
that tlie town atTonls. and nnniber anumir their 
friends the Kv^t people of the plaee. It is the 
nnited testimony of those who know our subject 
that he is an upritiht man whose life is without 
blemish. He is an e.iruest thinker, has a cultured 
mind, is broad and enliirhtened in his views, and a 
siniere ( hrislian and firm believer in the doctrine 
of universal salvation, he being a member of the 
l"niversalist Church. Socially, he is identified 
with the 1. O. O. F. 




.>S-| r?<r - 



NDREW LAVEUTY. In this gentleman, 
WilJ now a retired farmer and hijilily esteemed 
ti citizen of White Tigeon. we find an exam- 
ple for the young men of to-ilay, who are 
just embarking in the field of active life, of what 
may be acci>niplished by a man in the hiunble walks 
of life, by being honest, true and industrious. In 
earlv life he enjoyed but a few advantages, his 
school days were limited, and he had not wealth nor 
position lo aid him at the outset. He relied solely 
ujion his own efforts and his own conduct to win 
him the success in life he so much desired. The 
success obtained does not consist esdusivelj' in the 
sense of accumulating wealtli. but in doing good to 
others and in treating his neighbors well, and in win- 
ning their respect and esteem. 

t)ur subject was born in Montour County. Pa.. 
Nov. 2;!. 1816. He is a son of William and Debo- 
rah (Ueniun) l>averty. The father was a native of 
Philadelphia, and dieil when our subject Wi\s very 
young, lie was the father «.)f foin- children, of whom 
our subject is the only one living. The mother 
married Luke Brass, and became the mother of two 
more children, one v( whom. Margaiet. is living: she 
is now the wife of .1. C. Else, and resides in Wau- 
baushene. Ontario, on the shores of the Georgiau 
B:iy. 

After the death of his father, which occurred 
when our subject was six years olil. he left his 
home ti> earn his own living. He tirst learneil the 
trade of a tailor, which he followed successfully for 



several years. His health beginning to fail he quit 
it and engaged in farming for two j-ears. He then 
worked as a carpenter for some time. In 1866 he 
came to St. .Kiseph County anil settled in Constan- 
tine Township, where he engaged in farming until 
in the spring of 1882, when he moved into While 
Pigeon, where he has since resided. He owned a 
fine grain farm, but when he moved into town he 
disposed of it 

Mr. Laverty was married, Jan. 8, 1838, to Sarah 
A. Schuyler. She was a daughter of Adam an<l 
Eve Schuyler. They lived near Par.idise. Northum- 
berland Co.. Pa. The fallier was born in New Jer- 
sey' and is now dead. The mother w.as born in 
Northampton County. Pa, Our subject and his 
giiod wife are the parents of nine children, seven of 
whom are living, named: Kezia .S., Margaret B., 
Effie S., Mattie H.. Frank G.. Charles W. and Oliver 
Perry. Kezia is the wife of Daniel Blue, of Mott- 
ville Township, and is the mother of seven children 
— Charlie. Mattie, Harry, Minnie, Frank. Kate and 
John. JIargarct is the wife of John F. Burnett, and 
resides at Antwerp. Ohio; she is the mother of three 
children — Eva. Nellie and Maggie. EtHe is the wife 
of William D. Wilson, and is the mother of two 
children. Harry and Rene, and resides in Antwerp, 
Ohio; Maltie is the wife of Dr. Reuben Schurtz, 
and is the mother of one child. Carl; they reside in 
Streator, 111. Frank married Alta Maronej-. and 
resides in Florence Township, in this county, and 
has one child. Vera Zoe; Charlie is Principal of the 
schools in Randolph, Dodge Co., Wis.; O. Perry is 
a telegraph operator. 

Our subject and his good wife celebrated their 
golden wedding Jan. 8, 1889, and at the same time 
i-ecalled to mind the seventy-third anniversiiry of 
the battle of New Orleans. The reinembraiiees left 
with this worthy couple at that lime were of intrin- 
sic value in themselves, but that does not constitute 
their v.tlue in the eyes of the recipients. The feel- 
ings which prompted their bestowal render them 
priceless lo those who received them, .as every arti- 
cle given serves to recall to mind the love, affection 
and esteem of the giver, and they are all treasured 
and valued in the hearts of Mr. Laverty and his 
wife as beyond money value. Mrs. Laverty 's two 
brothers. Joliu and Lewis Schuyler, each lived lo 





ST. JO.Stl'U COUNT!'. 



507 



ccli'lirate t.hi'irf;iililcii wprMin;;; llic first iiaiin'il dii'd 
at the iige of i-ijilil}': l^fwis is yet livin;; and i» past 
eighty years old. Her brother William celebrated 
his golden wed<liiin in February, 1 8H1». Mr. and 
Mrs. Liiverty iiave been active, zealous ineinliers of 
tiie Ltithernn Church for forty-five years. 

Mr. and .Mrs. Lavcrty live in their palatial brick 
residence on Kasl Cliicaj^o street. Their home is 
finely furnished throughout, ond the barns and other 
oiit-biiiidiii'^s arc models <tf their kind, very sub- 
i-tantially ccjiislructed and convenient in design. 
This . gentleman is one of tliose men we liiid so 
thickly scattered thr<>M<^li Micliii^an, and who form 
the best element of her society'. It is the}' who have 
laid the foundations of the .State so broad, deep 
and solid that the colossal edifice of the great coin- 
monweallli is reared ujioii it without danger of 
collapse, making it possible to attain the highest 
pinnacle to which Government or human society' 
reaches. To these men Michigan owes her great- 
ness, and of this class our subject is a splendid rep- 
resentative. 



EKUMT 1'. IIAUWOOD. The present 
[/ 1\\ prosperous and promising condition of 




Constantine Township is due to the knowl- 
edge and energy of a class of men of whom 
our subject is a fair representative. Ho was born 
in this township, Oct. 24, 1840, and has always re- 
sided here. His father was Heman Harwood, and 
his mother Rebecca (Fisher) Harwood; she is now 
deceased. (See sketches of Hiram and Heman 
Harwooil, on other pages in this volume.) 

Our subject was the younger of his parents' two 
children. His entiie life ha.s been p.a.ssed on a 
farm, excepting the time when he was attending 
8<-bool. His parent* were educated and intelligent 
people, and they transmitted to their son a desire 
for knowledge, to gratify which he never loses an 
opixirtunity. He is a close observer of men and 
events, is very liberal in his ideas, and freely ac- 
cepts the experience ot others in the same line of 
business with hinisplf, and proflts by their failures 
as well as their successes. 

Mr. II wo<ii| was married to Miss Sjivill t Wliile. 



in Constiinline Township, Sept. ll.lSfiO. This lady 
was born in Lycoming County, I'a., Oct. 24, 1 M H. 
This couple have become the piirentsof two children 
— Fannie M. and Leonard A. Fannie is now the 
wife of Kdward ISoles, an<l resides with her husband 
in ConsU«ntinc Township; Leonard irarrierl Miss 
Minnie Thomas, anil likewise resides in Constantine 
Township. The parents of Mrs. Harwood were 
Abel and Ksther (Bower) White. They came from 
Pennsylvania to St. .Joseph County in 1K48, and 
settled in Florence Township, where they ch^ared a 
farm in the heavy timber of that section, which 
they sold and removed U) Constantine Townshij) 
where they resided until the time of their deaths. 
Her father was a carpenter, but followed farming 
the greater portion of the time. He met his death 
by fulling from a building on wliicli he was work- 
ing, living but four hours after the fall. He was 
born Oct. 17, IMl 4, and die'l An;;. 6. 1«7;}. Her 
mother was born .Sept. 11, IKIG, and died in Con- 
stantine Oct. 27, 1877. The record of their family 
is as follows: Amelia was born .Ian. 9. 1842, was 
the wife of Kdwin .Moshier, and died Feb. 14. 188.'J. 
Her sister, Mrs. Harwood, relates an interesting in- 
cident of her falling from a primitive bridge while 
returning from school, and doating down stream 
half a mile, when she was rescued in an exhausterl 
condition liy the latter. The next in order of birth 
was .Mrs. llarwo<jd: then Mary Belle, born Dec. 10, 
1844, now wife of Melvin Moshier, residing in Dal- 
las County, Iowa; Almira was born .Jan. 10. 1840, 
and died Jan. 10, 18.08; and .Jefferson, born .March 
31, 1847, died Nov. 23, 1801. 

Mrs. Harwood has been an invalid for the last 
two years, being confined to the bouse, and the 
greater portion of the time to her room, by that 
most excruciating disease, rheumatism. She has 
borne all her sufferings and trials with Christian 
resignation. Prior to the time she was attacked 
with this sickness and confined to the house, she 
took an active part in the sm-ial life of the people 
about her, and had an especial pride in the manage- 
ment and care of her ele^jant home. 

The improvements Mr. Harwood has |tlaced upon 
his farm of 1 20 acres are very complete in their 
character, and subsL-intial in their construction. He 
believes lint the stnall things carol for iro far to- 



>» ■ 4» 



-♦■ 



508 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



ward securing the success of a farmer; in conse- 
quence, lie watches very closely for the small leaks, 
which, if alluwcd to grow, would wreck the enter- 
prise. All the animals on the farm are sheltered in 
good, warm houses through the cold months of 
winter and spring, and all of the many implements 
em|)k)yed on the farm are carefully cleaned, re- 
paired, and stored away ready for use when re- 
quired. The success which h.is attended him proves 
the correctness of his conclusions. 

In politics Mr. Harwooil is Republican. He has 
declined to accept aii^' public oHice other than that 
of School Director, which he has held for several 
years. He accepted this office feeling that any ef- 
forts he might put forth would be of lasting good. 
Hiuiself and wife are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. He has been for many 
years a Steward and Trustee in society. 

15. lUtHiLKS. of J'hrcc Kivcrs, is an old 
resident of St. Joseph County. He was born 

in Hanover Township, Luzerne Co.. Pa.. 

June 22, 1818. His ijareuts. Lorenzo and Poll3- 
(Bennett) Ruggles, were both natives of Connecti- 
cut. The grandfather. Ashlu'l Ruggles. emigrated 
from Connecticut and removed thence to Luzerne 
County, Pa., and afterward to Ohio, where he died. 
On leaving Pennsylvania he also left his son Lo- 
renzo, who w.ns serving his time as an apprentice 
to a blacksmith. After completing his term the 
latter began business for himself, building a shop 
on a half-.acre of ground which ho had |>urchased. 
As his means permitted he added to this luitil be 
became the owner of lOO acres, all the' time carry- 
ing on his bl.acksmilhiug trade. There he was mar- 
ried to Polly Bennett, who had likewise emigrated 
from Co7niecticut with her ])arenls. and they con- 
tinued to live in Hanover Township until Mr. 
Ruggles retired from .active life, when he made his 
home in the then village, now the lUmrisliing city, 
of Wiikesbarre. Pa., where lie died at the age of 
seventy-four. .Mr. Ruggles had been twice mar- 
ried, his first wife. Polly, dying at the age of forty. 
His second wife was Mary .Vuii Wagner, a native 
of Xorthamplon County, Pa., who survived her 




husband about five years. All of his ten children 
were by the first wife, and all grew to maturity 
except one, who died in chiblhood. The others, 
all born in Luzerne County. Pa., were: Almon, who 
was a farmer and blacksmith, and died in his native 
county; Alfred, a fanner living in Ohio; Josiah. a 
retired lumber dealer, living in Luzerne County; 
Z. B. was next in order of birth; then cameCatlin, 
now a farmer in Fabius Township, in this county; 
Lorenzo, a carpenter liy trade, living in Will 
Count3'', 111.; Mary Ann, wife of Rev. John Labar. 
of Forty Fort. Luzerne Co., Pa.; .Sarah .Jane, wife 
of John Reimer, a farmer in the same county; and 
Paulina, wife of Charles Whitesell. a mason and 
pl.asterer in Pittston. Pa. 

The subject of this sketch learned the tr.ade of a 
carriage-maker in Bloomsburg, Columbia Co., Pa., 
and afterward w.is in the same business there on 
his own account for six years. In 184.') he decided 
to try his fortunes in the We^t. and emigrated to 
Micliigun. settling in Three Rivers, which has ever 
since been his home. On first locating here he 
worked at his trade for four years for Mr. Petlit. 
For two years after that he followed farming, but 
then returned to his trade, building a shop, and 
afterward buying out the business of bis former 
employer, .and carrying it on until 1883. when he 
sold it out. Idleness not suiting his industrious 
disposition, he is now engaged in selling tombstones, 
monuments, etc., for the firm of J. H. Iluylar lir 
Sous, of Three Rivers. 

Mr. Ruggles has been twice married, his first 
wife being .Miss Mary (icarliart. a n.itive of Colum- 
bia County, Pa., who died in 18J0. about live years 
after thej' had came to Michigan. Her only child 
died when four years old. His second wife is Lydia 
JIaria Cole, a native of Yates County-, X. Y.. 
who came to Michigan with her father about the 
year 1838. They have one child, a son named 
Ezra C. who is married to Saitlee Nelson, of Flow- 
ertield Township, this county, has one child, and 
lives in Three Rivers. 

Mr. Ruggles stands extremely well in the com- 
munity. He has from youth been a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and since his residence 
in Three Rivers has been Trustee, Steward and 
Class-Leader in the church here. He takes an act- 



^»- 



■^•■ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



■•^^"Br"^* 



.')09 



*~ 



ivc interest in tlie Snhbath-seliool work, nnd has 
been both teaciier and Superintendent. lie was 
one of the oriranizers of the first Salilwth-seliool 
ever estal)Iished in Tliree Rivers. lie lias never 
tal<en a very active part in pulilie affairs, liut has 
bi'en a member of tlie Town C'ouni-i! of Three 
Hlveis. In polities lie is a Hepnliliean. 



-•jici';t!ii®«^g^»®f3«ZTOT»- 



,EV. LEWIS C. ROLTTZAIIN, Pastor of St. 
John's Enjflisli Lutheran Church at Three 
,1, Rivers, was born in Mt. Morris. Ogle Co., 
*^^I1I., May, 23, 185'J, his parents beinjj^ John 
and C';itherine (Ilarbtinph) Ruutzahn, the father of 
German, and mother of Swiss descent. On both 
sides the family is of ancient line.ige, the paterhal 
ancestors coming to this country about "250 years 
ago, and locating first in New Amsterdam, as New 
York was then called. A generation or two later 
the then head of the family removed to Frederick 
County, Md., where the family are to this daj' 
numerously represented. The grand father of oursub- 
ject. Jonathan Routzahn. was liorn in thatcounty, be- 
came a farmer, and lived there .-dl of his life, dying at 
a comparatively earl}' age. lie married Miss Eliza- 
beth Herring, also a native of that counlv. and they 
were the parents of seven chihlren, namely : Nathan- 
iel, now a photographer in Winchester. Va. ; Luther 
was a machinist, and died in Springfield, Ohio, in 
1886; John, father of Lewis C. was next in order 
of birth; Lewis was a merchant and planter in 
Georgia, and died in that .State in IHSC; Daniel is 
a harness manufacturer in East St. Louis, 111.; .M;iu- 
rice is in the Government employ at Washington, 
D. C; and Elizalieth. wIki was the wife of George 
Chamberlain, die<l in .Middietown. Md. 

John Routzahn was born May 30, 1829, in Mid- 
dietown, Md. He became a merchant tailor, and 
carried on business at Baltimore. Md.. for several 
years, when he removed to Mt. Morris, Ill.,and'was 
there engaged in business for many years. Later 
he removed tf) Iowa, where he lived about five 
years, when he started to revisit his old home and 
friends in Mt. Morris. Before reaching there he 
was attacked with heart disease, and died at Chana 
.Station, twelve miles from his old home, Aug. 1, 

4* 



1873. He was a devout Christian, an industrious, 
upiight man, of decided opinions, who stuck strongly 
to what he believed to be right In his political 
belief he was what was known as a Douglas Demo- 
crat. He was kind-hearted and generous to those 
in need, and lost much money by helping his friends. 
He was raarrieil in M.-iryland to Catherine Har- 
baugh, who was descended from an ancient Swiss 
family who emigrated to this country when .Swit- 
zerland was struggling for independence about 300 
years ago. Having taken an active jiart in the troubles 
of that time the}' were compelled to llee to save their 
lives. On coming to this country the Harbaughs 
settled in New Amsterdam; later they were found 
in Pennsylvania, and afterward removed to Mary- 
laud. The family have been prominent in that lo- 
calit}', and embraced in their numbers raanj' famous 
men — statesmen, ministers, large contractors, etc. 
One of the latter built the Treasury building at 
Washington, afterward burned by the British. An- 
other was the famous David Harbaugh. I). D., men- 
tioned in "Webster's Dictit)nary" among the noted 
men of Maryland. Catherine Harbaugh died in Mt. 
Morris, 111., Dec. 17, 1866. ageil thirty-si.^, being 
born in 1830. .She and her husband were the par- 
ents of seven children, as follows: Algernon, now a 
practicing lawyer in Beatrice, Neb.; William and 
George were both killed by lightning at Oregon, 
111., in June, 1885; Lewis C. was next; Olen is a 
farmer near Lincoln. Neb. ; Mary makes her home 
with our subject, and Ma'tha lives at Dayton, Ohio. 
Lewis C. Routzahn lost his mother when he was 
but seven years of age, and his father seven j'ears 
later. He w.as thus thrown upon his own resources 
at an earlj' age, and for three years after his father 
died liveil upon a farm. He then Icjirned the trade 
of a baker, and when but eightein years old began 
business for himself in Mt. Morris, III. In l.s7.she 
gave it up. and visited relatives in .Maryland, slay- 
ing there for several months. He then went to 
Springfield, Ohio, where man}' of his father's rela- 
tives lived, among whom were the foun<ler8 of Wit- 
tenberg College at that place. There he began 
studying for the ministry', attending the College for 
one year, but his health being impaired by too close 
application to his studies, he ri'lurned to his oltl 
home in Illinois. The next fall he Uiught school, 



!*r*^ 



olO 



^i^h-* 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



, and .1 3'ear latrr entered Jit. Morris College, where 
lie eonliniicd liis ?tu<lii'S for two j'ears, Ihcn go'nig 
back to Spriiigfifld, Ohio, and entering the theo- 
logical department of Wittenberg College, was 
graduated therefrom in 1884. A month later he 
received a call to the church in Three Rivers. Mich., 
of which lie has ever since been the pastor. It was 
then but a mission church, having but thirty-three 
members. Under his care it became in two years 
self-sustaining, with a membership of 100. Now 
it has over 200 members, with the largest Sabbath- 
sciiool in St. Joseph County, a record redounding 
to the credit of Mr. Routzahn, and illustrative of 
the zeal with which he has labored. The church is 
free of debt, and flourishing in every w.ay, and the 
pastor beloved and respected, not only b}' his own 
Congregation, but b}' all who know him. 

August 12, 188.5. Mr. Routzahn married Miss 
Lillian McClure. daughter of Thomas and Minerva 
(Comstock) McChiie, of San Jose. Cal. She w.as 
bo'-n in Polo. 111., Sept. 10, 1858, and is tiie30ungest 
of live children, none of the others being resi- 
dents of .St. Joseph County. Mr. and Mrs. Rout- 
zahn have had two children: Oleu. born Aug. 2. 
1886, and died November 5 of the same year; and 
Warren Willitts, born in 1887. 

Mr. Routzahn has made many and warm friends 
during his residence in Three Rivers, and is justly 
held in high esteem. lie is zealous in his work, kind, 
charitable and considerate with his fellowmen, and 
has accomplished much good. Socially, he is a 
member of Davis Lodge No. 57, F. & A. M., and 
of Salathiel Chapter No. 28, R. A. 



o^S^- 



4'K' 



"tfStf- 



T 



eOXR.VI) SC'U.V.VI). In our .selection of rep- 
resentative houses we find the name of this 
gentleman inseparably connected with the 
boot and shoe industry, which has a fine showing 
in Three Rivers, and of which Mr. .Scliaad is a lead- 
ing representative. He occupies a prominent place 
in the shoe trade of the city, dealing in durable 
goods of first-class quality, and as the result of this, 
has built up a lucrative patronage. A native of 
Switzerland, he was born in Obeshnllan, Canton of 



Schaffhausen. Feb. 26, 1829. and there received his 
early education, after which he learned the trade 
of shoemaker, serving the regular apprenticeship 
of five years in that country, and becoming master 
of the trade in all its branches. 

.Mr. .Sch.aad traveled as a journeyman shoemaker 
through nearly the length and breadth of his native 
land and France, working sufficiently to i>,iy his 
expenses, and gained a fine knowledge of the coun- 
try, viewing its interesting sights and becoming 
possessor of a practical knowledge which afforded 
a more thorough school of training than books 
could have been. Ilis wanderings ended, he then 
returned home, spent one year, and in 1854 .*ct sail 
for America. When leaving his childhood's home 
he proceeded to Havre, France, and there embarked 
on a vessel bound for New York City, where he ar- 
rived after a four weeks' voyage. He spent verj- 
little time in the metropolis, but proceeding directly 
westward halted at Toledo. Ohio, where he spent 
four months working at his trade. 

We next find our suliject in Constantino, this 
county, where he sojourned eighteen months, and in 
the winter of 1856 came to Three Rivers and occu- 
pied the shoemaker's bench until 1862. At the ex- 
piration of this time, having been successful in 
accumulating some means, he established in busi- 
ness on his own account, opening up a well-selected 
stock of boots and shoes in the Kelsey Block. He 
occupied this place until 1864, then purch.ised his 
present store, to which he removed his business and 
where he has since held forth. The building occu- 
pies an area of 22x75 feet, .and is three stories in 
heigiil. Mr. Scliaad carries a well-selected stock, 
to which he is constantly m.aking additions and 
gradually extending his trade. 

Mr. Seb.aad owes his success to his close applica- 
tion to his business, his promptness in meeting his 
obligations, and his courtesy to his custt)mer8. lie- 
sides his store building, he owns good residence 
property and four other business houses. For the 
man who arrived upon American soil with but a 
few dollars in his pocket, he has certainly made good 
progress. In jxilitics he is conservative, and .so- 
cially, belongs to the I. O. O. V.. with which he has 
been identified a numbef of years. 

Mr. Schaad in 1864 contracte<l matrimonial ties 




-4•■ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



oil 



¥ 



with Miss Mary A. lUi/zanl. i>f Three Rivers. Mrs. 
S. wiis Ixirii in Montour Comity, I'ii., ami of her 
union witli oiirsulijeel there are three children liv- 
injj: C'nroline .1.. the wife of Charle.s Batcmau; 
Lilly, al home witli her parents, and Arlina, the 
wife of Charles W.C'ox. One ^•ounJJf danjjiiter. Ar- 
vina, died at the age of twelve yeai-s. The parents 
of Mrs. S. were Daniel and rrudence lUizzard, 
who were natives of Pennsylvania, and spent their 
last days in Danville. I'a. 

Jaeoli and I'rsiila ( IJainnan ) Sehaad were natives 
also of Switzerland, liorn in the same canton as 
their son. Their family consisted orisiinally of five 
children, only four of whom lived to mat\ire years. 
One of these still survives, and makes his home in 
Decatur, Mich. Mr. Scliiuad has fully identified 
himself with tlie interests of his adopted country, 
and hiis lonij been recoEfui/.ed in 'I'hree Hivers as a 
valued addition to the comnuinity. 



-//.i MOS SIT R(;iS, one of the solid, substun- 

*3y/'ir 

"SgfiJii tial men of .St, Joseph County, and a lead- 
ing agriculturist of Sturgis. owning one of 
the largest an<l most valualile farms in the 
township, takes an honest pride in being a member 
of one of the prominent pioneer families of the 
county, his father, the late Judge .Sturgis, having 
been one of the very first settlers within it.s boun- 
daries. 

Our subject is a native-born citizen of Michigan, 
his birth having occurre<l at IJrownstown, Wayne 
County, Jan. I", 182H. His father. Judge John 
Sturgis, was liorn in I'liiladeljihia in 17H7, and 
pa.s.sed the first thirteen years of his life in that 
city. In the o|iening ye.nr of this century his {kw- 
eut,s. John and .\rdillacv (>Iiller) Sturgis. were 
married in Mt. I'leiijiant, Canada; they then moved 
to lirownstown, Michigan Territory, in 1818, 
making the journey with a yoke of oxen and 
a sled, crossing the river at Detroit when the ice 
was so near the point of breaking up that Mrs. 
Sturgis. taking their only child in her arms, walked 
across rather than run the risk of breaking through 
the ice with the team and drowning. They settled 
on land belonging to Gen. Ctisa. In the year 1827 



.Iiidge .Sturgis and an enterprising young man 
nanietl Ovorge Thurston came to this part of .Michi- 
g.in and liroke the first prairie land in what was 
afterward .St. Joseph County, sowed a crop of 
wlieat. and put up .a quantity of hay. For further 
particulars of their journey and sojourn into this 
then uninhabited country see sketch of Mr. Thur- 
ston on another page of tliis volume. They re- 
turned to Wayne County, and in the spring of 
1828, in the month of May, the Judge came back 
here with his family to take uj) his permanent 
abode here, and thus became one of the earliest 
settlers of the county. He at first located on the 
southwest quarter of what is now Fawn Hiver 
Township, but at the end of two years he moved 
to Nottawa and entered 240 acres of Oovern- 
ment land, wljich he afterward sold for *l..")On. 
He remained in that place a ])eriod of only three 
months, and then came to Sturgis and located on 
Land where our subject now lives. He was an in- 
dustrious, energetic man, with excellent Ijusiness 
ability, and met with eminent success in all of his 
transactions, thus working his w.ay up from iMjverty 
to comparative alllucnce, and at the time of his 
death was the owner of 1.400 acres of land, which 
he willed to his sons, entailing it so that it should 
descend from father to son in direct line .xs long, is 
the race should last. The Judge was an important 
personage here in his day, and the township of 
.Sturgis was named in his honor by Gov. Cass, 
who on his return from the trip in -wliicli he had 
made his famous treaty with the Pottawatomie In- 
dians, camped near the Judge's house, and learning 
that the prairie had no name, called it .Sturgis. 
To Juilgc and Mrs. Sturgis were born ten children, 
six sons and four daughters, namely: William, 
Jane, Catherine, John, Oeorge, Amos, David. Han- 
nah, Sarah A. (deceased) .and Henrietta. Judge 
.Sturgis closed his eyes to the scenes of earth April 
17, 1872, and thus passed away a notable citizen of 
this town, whose name will be held in remendtrauce 
as long as the town shall last. His wife dei^jirted 
this life Feb. l.">, 1877. 

The subject of our sketch was reared on his pres- 
ent homestead, and received his early scluHjling in 
the typical school-house of jtioneer days, a log 
cabin, with rude slab seats, situated in the village 



4' 






:^i^H* 



il2 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



of Sturgis. and later attended the public school, rc- 
ceivinjj u substantial education. He is a man of 
undeniable ability, undisputed financial judgment. 
and unswerving integrity, who has always devoted 
his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, and 
his large and well-tilled farm of .'>:?0 acres in 
one body, 186 of which he inherited from his 
father, shows the skill and judicious labor that 
h.as been spent uiK)n it. He raises .-ill the crops 
of a Jlichigan farmer, but makes a si)ecialt3' of 
l)otatoes and wheat. He has erected commodious 
and convenient buildings, and carries on farming 
after the most approved modern methods, his 
place being a credit to him and an ornament to the 
town and county. 

Mr. Sturgis was married, Feb. S>, 18C9, to Miss 
Martlia Smith, a native of New York State, and 
their union has been blessed by the birth of five 
children, namely: Nettie. Charles. Amos. Mattie 
and Myra. all of whom are at home and receiving 
tiie Itenetit of the excellent educational system of 
their native town. In politics Mr. Sturgis is a 
firm Democrat, and though he does his duty at the 
ix>lls. never seeks official honors. He and his wife 
are highly esteemed in social circles in their com- 
munity, and their hospit.ible home is the resort of 
the large circle of friends whom they have drawn 
to them by tlieir geniality and courtesy. 



=^ KV. .1. EMORY FISHEH. Promineiu among 
those who have contributed to tlie spread- 
ing of the Word of God in tliis part of 
5^ Michigan, none have been more active or 
zealous than the gentleman whose name heads this 
sketch, and who is now the oldest pastor and one 
of the most respected citizens of White Pigeon. 
His unceasing labors for m.any long years in the 
Master's vineyard have been crowned with glo- 
rious results, and liis humble piety and Christian 
walk in life have endeared him to the tliousands 
who have from time to time listened to his elo- 
quent discourses and fervent prayers, as he has re- 
peated to them the "old, old story of Jesus and 
His love," and with great humilit}- of spirit and 
earnestness of purpose lias (winted them to the 




Cross, and guided their w.ayward feet toward the 
realms of eternal bliss. He is now pastor in chartre 
of the interests of the Presbyterian Churdi at 
White Pigeon. 

This gentleman wju^ born in \\ ayiic C ounty. 
Oliio. near the town of Edinboro. He is the son 
of Philip R. and Mary (W.altei-s) Fisher. The 
father was a^ native of Washington County. Pa. 
Tlie mother was a daughter of Daniel W.ilters. 
The parents reared a family of eight children, five 
of whom arc living, n.amed: J. Emory, our sub- 
ject; David. Jennie. Alfred and William. David is 
an artist, and now resides in San Francisco. Cal.; 
Alfred is an invalid at home; William is a farmer, 
and lives on a jjortion of the old homestead near 
West Unity. Ohio. 

The subject of this sketch received his educa- 
tion at Hayesville (Oiiio) Academy, and afterward 
attended the Western Theological Seminary at 
Allegheny City. Pa., from wiiich institution he was 
graduated in 1869. Before lejiving the seminary 
he received a call from Savannah. Mo., which he ac- 
cepted, and assumed charge of the Old School Pres- 
byterian Ciiurch. After the consolidation of the 
New and tiie Old School societies, which occurred 
Dec. 12, 1869. the united church was under his 
pastorate, and on New Year's Dav. 1870, reccivctl 
sixty-three persons bv profession of their faith, as 
members of the church, among whom were Judges, 
bankers, raerch.ants. coloners. and business men of 
various callings. He moved from Savannah to 
Lathrop in the same State in 1870. where he built 
the church. A few days after it w.as dedicated to 
the service of God he was taken ill and went home. 
After his'recovery he supplied the churches at Ken- 
dallville and Elkhart. lud.. for a short time. 

Our subject then went to Fostoria, Ohio, and in 
March. 1872. he became p.astor of the church in 
that place, where he remained for one year. a<lding 
over thirtj- members to the church. Thence he went 
to Auburn. Ind.. in 1873. While there he was called 
to WocKlstock. 111., and in 187.5 he removed to 
that place and was installed i)astor of the churcii 
there, which he held until 1877. about forty uniting 
with the ciiurch under his ministry. From Wood- 
stock he removed to Mineral Point, Wis., and had 
charge of the church there for one vear. during 



^^ ^ < • 



•^^ 



•t^ 



ST. .lOSEFIl COUNTY. 



j 1 .{ 



which timo the chiirolt was rnisert up, a basement 
l)Ut under it. and the audience i-(K>ni enlarged and 
repaired witliin. and twenty-four niemliers were 
ailded to the cliurcli. In IHTrt he spent several 
niontlis in evanjrelistic work. In tlie spring of 
1H7'.( he accepted the pastorate of flie ciiurch at 
("oluinhus (irove. Ohio, and durini; liis three years 
work the church was swelled from about 110 to 
1.07. In tile spring of 1S82 lie removed to liuiney, 
Mich., where his work was equally blessed. and in 
.hily. 1885, he came to White Pigeon. Mich. His 
work has been mostly of a missiiMiary character, 
and he has devoted hi:> whole energy and life to 
milking it a success. 

When our subject .assumed the pastorate of the 
church at .\uburn, Ind.. it had a meiiiliershipof but 
twenty -two. and they were decidedly lukewarm and 
half-hearted in the interests of the society. ( )ur sub- 
ject at once practically tfiok olT his coat and went to 
work with a will, determined if possible to rejuve- 
nate the people and inspire them with some lifeand 
ambition. .\t the end of his pastorate he had in- 
creased the membership to eighty -eight names. It 
is through his labor that the present magnificent 
I'resbyterinn Church was erected in White I'igeon 
in 1887; this society h.as prospered both temporally 
an<l spiritually under his ministrations. To the 
alreaily large membership on the rolls when he as- 
sumetl charge, he has been instrumental in secur- 
ing mftre than thirty additions, twenty-four names 
having been adfled (luring the last year. 

The society of which our subject is the jiastor is 
the oldest Presbyterian Church in the .""itate west 
f>f Ypsilanli. having been organized in I8;J(I. The 
old church w.as erected in 18.'}2. and was the oldest 
Presbyterian Church in the State when the con- 
gregation left it on the 4th of March. 1888. for 
their new church. When Daniel Webster, the re- 
nowned .\nierican .Statesman, and his wife and 
daughter, stopped overnight in White Pigeon, on 
.July .'). I8.3(!. he went up into the steeple on the 
old church building and viewed the landscape em- 
braced in White Pigeon Prairie, and he pronounced 
the scenery the finest he ever .saw. in the follow- 
ing words: "How iH'autiful! Never In-fore have I 
seen such a garden as this." 

The siibject of this sketch was married to Miss 



Linda E. Foster, on Nov. 24, 1873. She was a 
daughter of Daniel Foster, wlio wjis a resident of 
Findlay, Ohio. Her father was the first man wIki 
ever utilized the Mow of natural ga.«. which of late 
years has adiled so nuicli to the wealth and sub- 
stantial prosperity of that place. He discovered 
it escaping from a well as early as 184.'J. in such 
quantities that he was able U> use it liy conducting 
it through a rudely constructed tube. He is now 
dead. 

Kev. Fisher is a gentleman possessing advance<I 
literary tastes, anil h.is a great tluency of speech in 
his discourse; he has a generous and magnanimous 
nature, a manly e;use and freedom of addre.ss. pecul- 
iarly his own. He is widely known for his integ- 
rity, his honesty of purpose and uprightness of 
character. We find him engage<l in every goofl 
work and lalioring zealously for the suppression of 
evil, in whatever form it may be found, and the 
extension and ]>erpetuation of (Jod's kingdom upon 
the earth. 




I:N1!V D. Crsil.MA.N. a leading druggist 
of Three Hivers. and making a specialty of 
the essential oils produced in St. .lusepli 
County. Mich.. <-ame to this place in .luly. 
1869. soon after having been graduated in pharmacy 
from the .Michigan State I'niversity at Ann Arbor. 
He at once formed a jiartnersliip with .lames C. 
Keed. and they engaged in the drug business until 
187."). when Mr. Cushman purchased the interest of 
his partner and continued the business until 1881. 
He then dis|H>se<l of his stock to Mr. W. H. Shep- 
herd. 

In 1872 Mr. Cushman liecame a.ssociated with 15. 
M. Hicks, and tiogan dealing in essential oils, gradu- 
ally drifting into the manufacture of the same, 
dealing in [wpix-rmint, s|»earmint. wormwood and 
tansy and erigeron. which he furnished to the job- 
bing trade. He is the inventor of the Menthol 
Inhaler. ui)on which he secured a jiatent in 1886. 
This he al.so furnislies to the jobbing trade. an<l 
from it enjoys a large .side, it being a most plejisant 
and agreeable renie<ly for such ailments a.s catarrh, 
hay fever, headache, neuralgia, etc. His Irans.ic- 
tions extend throughout the entire I'nited States. 



^ 



•4^ 



t 



514 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



Great Britain, Canada and >[exico. He is a gen- 
tleman of good busiiies;* capacities, keeps himself 
well informed upon all matters concerning the in- 
telligent citizen, and is considered a valuable factor 
in his community. 

Our subject was )x)rn in .lackson County, this 
Stale, Aug. 16, 1846, and is the son of Isaac W. 
and Maria H. (De Puy) Cushman. who were of 
New England ancestors. Isaac W. Cushman came 
to the Territory of Michigan with his father, 
Joseph AV.. at an early date. Fcnton Cushman. the 
great-grandfather, was of English descent. Isaac 
AV. after his marriage settled in Jackson County, 
and for many years operated a gristmill and en- 
gaged in general merchandising. He departed this 
life in ISoT, and the motlier in 1882. They were 
the parents of three sons and one daughter, of whom 
Henry D. was the eldest. The bo^'hood of the 
alter was spent in his native county, and after 
emerging from the district scliool he attended sch(X)l 
at Albion College, and prepared for his university 
course. He was married, Feb. 23, 1870. to Miss 
Thirza A. Wright, a native of Calhoun County, 
Mich., and a graduate of Albion College. Mrs. 
Cushman w.as born July 30, 1848. and is the 
daughter of Josiah and Eliza Wright, wiio are now 
residents of Albion. Mich. Their family consisted 
of three children. To our subject and his estima- 
ble wife there have been born three cliildren — 
Herbert W., Harrj- D. and Jessie M. Mr. Cush- 
man represented his ward as Alderman three terms; 
is Secretary of the water works, and a member of 
Three Rivers Masonic Lodge. 



^j^ZEKIEL FLANDERS. This honored pio- 
^ neer of 1844 arrived in this county in the 
La^ spring of the year, after a tedious and some- 
what dangerous journey, which was performed in 
the manner of those days, widely different from that 
of the present, and during which w.is encountered 
one of the severest storms known to this section of 
country. For thirty-six hours Mr. F. held to an iron 
bar. His clotiies in the meantime were frozen, and 
himself almost in a perishing condition. This was 
about November 17. The storm lasted from Fri- 



day morning until Sunday about 7 V. M.. wiien 
they h.id to give up the trip for that time and re- 
turned to Huffalo. After it had abatefl tiie journey 
to tliis county was resumed, and Mr. Flanders for a 
time made his home with friends. 

Our subject in the spring of 1852 purchased 
160 acres of wild land on Nottawa Prairie, where he 
commenced farming amid the ditliculties common 
to life in tiiat region of country, taking care of his 
widowed mother and settling up the debts of his 
father's estate. In the meantime, in order to aug- 
ment the family income he chopped wood at thirty 
cents per cord and boarded, himself, economizing in 
every way jx)ssible. In due time his industry and 
perseverance brought their legitimate reward, and 
he found himself upon his feet. He is now numbered 
among the well-to-do citizens of this county, own- 
ing 160 acres of good land in Nottawa Townshi|>. 
besides a good home in the village of Mendou. He 
carried on agriculture continuously some years, but 
in 1883 took up his abode in Alendon Village, 
where he now resides, surrounded bj- all the com- 
forts of life. 

Our subject was born in Farraersville, Cattarau- 
gus Co.. N. Y.. June 7. 1823. and is the son of 
Ezekiel and Lydia ( Wliite) Flanders, who were na- 
tives of New Hampshire, and the father a farmer 
b^- occupation. The latter was born Oct. 22, 1782, 
and dei)arted this life in New York .State. Dec. 8. 
184(1. at the age of fifty-eight years, one montli 
and sixteen daj-s. He had been a man of note in 
his neighborhood, holding the various local offices 
and bearing the reputation of a jjeaceable and law- 
abiding citizen, a man prompt to meet his obliga- 
tions, and with his excellent wife a believer in the 
Ciu-istian religion. The mother w.as born July 16. 
1818, and survived her husband six j-ears. her 
death taking place at the homestead in St. Joseph 
County, Mich.. Aug. 30, 1846. at the age of fifty- 
one years, eight months and ten da3-s. 

Ezekiel Flanders. Sr.. when about twenty-nine 
years of age entered upon a seafaring life, which 
he followed for about seven vears, being mate of a 
ve.«sel. He was a man of good education and more 
than ordinary intelligence, and followed teaching 
after resuming his residence on terra tirma. He 
accumulated good property, and politically, afflli- 



•^^ 



i 



■^^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



51 o 



atod with the Domoeratic party. The parental 
household included eleven children, ten of whom 
lived to mature years. The eldest, Zoroa.<ter S. 
H., W!\s l«>rn .lune 11. 1814: Sophia, Jan. 2(1. l«li;; 
David W.. .luly K!. I«18; Klizaheth K.. March 2(1, 
1820; Kzekiel. .Jr.. .hme 7. l«2.i; Calvin 11.. .\ujr. 
5, 1H2.'>; Lydia \... Auj;. H. 1.S28; Lucinda W., 
Aug. 15. IHM); Mary. Aug. 20. 18;J2;-Ann. .Ian. 
10, 1838. . This latter child died in infancy. The 
[lai-ents were marrietl Feb. 1.1, 1813. 

Mr. Flanders, our subject, was reared at the home 
farm in Cattaraugus County. \. Y.. where he was 
taught haliits of industry and economy, and ob- 
tained his book learning in the common school. 
He was content to follow farm pursuits, and when 
ready to establish a lircside of his own was united 
in marriage with Miss Amelia Ransom, Dec. 20, 
18l(!. at the home of the bride in Janesville. ^licli. 
Mrs. Flanders was lx)rn M.ay <!. 1829, in New York, 
and is the daughter of Hubble and Charlotte 
(Graves) Hansom, the former of whom was born 
in 1777. and the latter Dec. .5, 1779. The family 
of Mr. and Mrs. Hansom consisted of the children, 
born as follows: Charlotte. .Ian. 2.'). 1810; .lustin 
H.. .May 7, 1812; Harry, .luly 7. 1811; Eliza A.. 
Dec. 14, 1816; Alonzo, Feb. 13, 1819; Charlotte, 
.luly 4. 1821; Hebecca. Marcli .'>. 1823: Lyman G., 
April 10. 1827; Amelia. M.iy 2(). 1829; Martha. 
Aug. 12. 1833. 

Our subject and his estimable wife oomnicnced 
their wedded life together in Nottawa Townehip. 
this county, and in due time the household circle in- 
cluded five children. The eldest of these. Helen, 
was born Sept. 27, 1847; Catherine, .Ian. 1, 18.10; 
Frank P.. Sept. 16, 18.')2; F.innie E...Iuly 27, 18.5.5; 
Ferdinand F., Dec. 27. 1860; Catherine dieil .Vpril 
14. 18.52, when a little over two years old. Frank 
V. dii-il March 2. 1860, before reaching the eighth 
year of his age; Helen became the wife of Almeron 
Esf^-s, of .Mendim. and die<l at her home in Not- 
tawa. Nov. 10, 1872, leaving one child; Lydia L. 
died when an infant r)f a few months. Mr. Flan- 
ders is a stanch Democrat |M>litically. and has held 
tlu- various local ollices. the duties of which he dis- 
charged with great credit to himself and satisfac- 
tion to all i"oncerned. He w.as elected Overseer of 
the Poor in the spring of 1874. and has since been 



continuefl in the office, |>roving himself finely 
adapted to the position, being a man of great kind- 
ness of heart .and one to whom the sufferings of the 
poor never appeal in vain. He is a menilier of the 
City Council of Mendon, and .socially, is a Hoyal 
Arch Mason. Mi-s. Flanders behmgs to the Epis- 
copal Church, and is a la<ly who adorns her position 
as the wife of an honest man and a yood citizen. 






\«^UDLEY H. FRANCISCO, of Three Rivers, 
II 111 IS the son of Daniel Francisco, decoasetl. 





of whom a full sketch is given on another 
page in this volume. He was born in On- 
tario Countj', N. Y., June 27, 1842, and was there- 
fore hut four years old when his parents brought 
him to Michigan. The death of his mother two 
years later deprived 3'oung Francisco of maternal 
care, yet.'lhough a weak boy, he grew to be a sturdy 
man. He attended the public schools of Three 
Rivers, and later took a course in the Commercial 
College at Albion, Mich. He was graduated from 
there in the fall of 1802, and the following spring 
took charge of his father's farms, for which his early 
training had .admirably fitted him. In this ivsxy the 
time was passed until the sprinir of 186.5. when he 
began on his own account on a farm of 177 acres, 
in Fabius Township, owned by his father, and sub- 
sequently bequeathe<l to our subject. Connected 
with his farming he also engaged in slock dealing 
and raising. 

Mr. Francisco continued to live there until the 
spring of 1883. when he sold his farm and removed 
to Three Rivers, which h.as since been his home. 
Being in rather poor health. Mr. Francisco did not 
engage in any active work until the following 
year, when he bought the omnibus and bag- 
gage line, and a short time after built the com- 
modious farmers' sheds, which have proved a great 
convenience to (lersons coming to town. In con- 
nection with this he put in a platform scales for 
weighing hay, etc. This business he sold out in 
November, 1 887, and bought the livery business 
which had formerly been carried on by William 
Laird. This he largely increased, having now a 



^^ 



.t 



oie 



ST. .lOSKPIl COUNTY. 



fine lot of horses, caniasjcs of all kinds, nnrl Ukes a 
pri'le in keeping eveiytliiiis: in good shape. 

On March IX, 1 HOG, Mr. Francisco was married 
to Miss Susanna Weinberg, daughter of Samuel 
Weinherg. of Flonerfield lowuship, formerl3- from 
Pennsylvania. She was born Oct. 1. 1843. They 
are the. parents of six children, of whom Mandie 
is deceased. The others are all under the parental 
roof, and are named Mary L.. Minnie K., Birtlc 
Otis, Arthur W . and Lulu. 

ON. A. C. PRUTZMAN, ex State Sen.ator, 
has represented his district in the Legisla- 
ture for six consecutive 3'ears. He was first 
elected in 1868 to represent the county of 
.St. .losepli, which then composed alone the Four- 
teenth Senatorial District. Two years later he was 
elected from the same district, but the rapid growth 
of the State necessitated a reorganization, and dur- 
ing his third term, to which he was elected in 1872, 
he represented the counties of St. Joseph and Cass, 
which was known as the Kleventh District. 

.Mr. Prutznian is an old resident of Michigan, 
having come to St. Joseph first in 1834. lie was 
born March 0, 1813, in Columbia County, Pa. 
llis parents were Joseph and Maria Prutzman, also 
natives of Pennsj'lvania, both of whom died in 
Columbia County. Our subject in early life was 
brought up to mercantile pursuits, and spent sev- 
eral years as clerk in stores in Danville and in 
Pottsville, Pa. Deciding to tr}- his fortunes in the 
then Far West, he emigrated to Michigan, accom- 
panied by his sister and her husband, E. S. Moore, 
Ihey intending to open a store at Pi'airie Ronde, 
Kalamazoo County. As an illustration of the diffi- 
culties encountered bv emigrants in those d.ays, it 
is worthy of note that the stock of goods which 
they had purchased and shipped from New York 
was over six months in reaching its destination. 
The}- were shipped in the fall, but were laid over 
at Grand Haven during the entire winter. In the 
spring they were unloaded at the mouth of the St. 
•Joseph River, and were brought .across the country 
by teams. 

The place where the partners had decided to locate 



was on the edge of the woods, at Prairie Ronde, 
and during the winter thej- cut the timber, had it 
sawed, ami put up their store adjoining a small 
house which they had bought, and to which they 
made an addition. Having spare time on their 
hands, with the industry characteristic of the early 
pioneers, Mr. Prutzman and his partner went into 
the woods and logged all the remainder of the 
winter. On the arrival of their goods they opened 
their store, which they carried on until April. 1838. 
when Mr. Prutzman removed to Three Rivers, which 
offered a better field for business, and where the}- 
had already' sent some goods. 

Mr. Moore had. a year previous to this, removed 
to a farm which he had bought in Park Tt)wnship, 
St. Joseph Count}'. The place where he settled is 
known as Moorepark. and was namerl after him. 
The partnership of Moore <fe Prutzman continued 
for twenty-five years, and in 1844 they bought the 
Three Rivers Mill, which they had previously' 
rented, and to which they made additions and im- 
provements, and there carried on the milling busi- 
ness until the dissolution of the partnership in 
I80O. when Mr. Moore took the mill property and 
Mr. Prutzman the store, which he carried on for 
several years, and then he sold it and embarked in 
the manufacturing business with his sons, Joseph 
E. and John P., under the name of the Michigan 
Pump Company and Three Rivers Plow Companj'. 
The firm is now known as A. C. Prutzman, and is 
engaged largely in the manufacture of wood pumps 
an<l chilled and steel plows, their goods bearing an 
enviable reputation wherever intro<luced. 

July 14, 1830, Mr. Prutzman was married, in 
Chester County, Pa., to Miss Mary L. Phillips, a 
native of that county, born in November, 1816, 
her parents being John and Margaret Phillips. 
Their union w.as blessed bv the birth of five chil- 
dren, four of whom are living, one, E<lward M., 
giving his life for his country, having been killed 
in the battle of Resaca, Ga.. M.ay 15, 1864. He 
enlisted in the •2.")lh Michigan Infantry, un<ler Col. 
O. H. Moore, a nephew of his father's brother-in- 
law. He took the field .as .Sergeant of his coin|iany, 
and for gallant conduct wiis promoted through the 
grades of .Sergeant Major, Second and First Lieu- 
tenant, and was Adjutant when he was killed, while 



-4^ 



-■»• 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



.■)i: 



gallantly leaclinjj a charge on n rebel battery on 
foot, having left his horse to take part in the charge. 
His remains were brought home by his father, ami 
interred in Uiversiile Cemetery, at Three Rivers. 
The G. A. U. Post at that place »vai3 named after 
thiii gallant otlicer, "Kd. M. Prutzman Post No. 72, 
0. A. R." He had taken part in many a hard- 
fonght battle, and was universally esteemed for his 
bravery and maii3- soldierly qualities. 

The other children of Mr. and Mrs. Prutzman 
are: Joseph E., who is married to Miss Emma 
Hutchinson, a native of the State of New York, has 
two children, and lives in Three Rivers; John P. 
married twice, his first wife, Julia Goodell, of 
Massachusetts, dying and leaving one child, Mary 
E.. who is an inmate of her grandfather's home; 
the second wife is Florence Wyckoff. who has two 
children, an<l the family live in Memphis, Tenn., 
where the father is engaged in manufacturing pumps, 
and in roofing and paving. Margaret M. is the 
wife of C. B. Tucker, chief clerk in a large grain 
house at Minneapolis, Minn., and has one child, 
Gertrude; anil A. Clifford, who is married to Miss 
Latir.i Davis, a native of New Hampshire, and they 
have one child. Ernest R., and is associated with 
his father in business. 

.Since coming to Three Rivers Mr. Prutzman has 
been honoretl by his fellow. citizens with many posi- 
tions of trust and responsibility, and in every pub- 
lic |ilace to which he has been called has discharged 
itsduties with a fidelity and failhfidness which have 
not only justifie<l the confidence of his fellow. citizens, 
but have honored alike himself and those whom he 
represented. He has been a member of the Town 
Council of Three Rivers, Tax Collector, and has 
held other minor olllces. For ten years he was a 
member of the Michigiui .Sl.Tle Hoard of Agricult- 
ure, first appointed for fouryears to fill a vacancy, 
ami afterward for the full term of six years. His 
.Senatorial career has already been mentioned. 

Mr. and Mrs. Prut/man are members of the 
Presbj'icrian Church at- Three Rivers, of which he 
is now and has long been an Eliler. During his 
long and active life Mr. Prutzman has liKme an un- 
blemished reputation. Asa business man, a trusted 
oltioial and representative, as a citizen, husband and 
father, he has ain'.-,ys been true to his trust, and 



now, in the enjoyment of an ample competence, is 
reaping the reward of a well-spent life, respected 
and esteemed by everyone who knows him. We 
are pleased t<i record in this work this sketch of 
this well-known and honored citizen of ,St. Joseph 
County. 



DROF. tllAHLHS li. SACK. J'rincipal of 
' the Three Rivers Husiness College and 
Normal .ScIkmjI. is a native of West Troy, 
Wis., born .Ian. 17. IHjl). his jjarents being 
Charles Henry and Hannah (Teachout) Sage, both 
born in the State of New York. On the paternal side 
his ancestors are of English descent, and on the 
maternal of German. 'I'he father of our subjei-t 
was originally a blacksmith by occupation, work- 
ing at his trade in Wisconsin, where his parents 
had settled when he wjis ipiitc young. He began 
business for himself in that .State, but afterward 
removed to Ionia County. Mich., where he con- 
ducted business for seven years. This w.os, lu»w- 
ever, not destined to be his life work. .Selling out 
his business, he joined the Methodist Ejiisi'opal 
Conference, and became a licensed |>rc:iclier in that 
body. A few years later he joined the Free Meth- 
(Klisl Church, was appointe<l .-i jireachcr in that de- 
nomination, and later made Chairman of the district, 
a distinction conferred upon him for conspicuous 
ability and zeal. In this connection he is yet doing 
good work. He is a man of marked force of char- 
acter, an indefatigable worker, generous almost to 
a fault, and is always trying to help and elevate his 
fellowman. He has left his impr<'.-.s on all relig- 
ious and social circles of which he h.as been a mem- 
ber, and is held in high estwm by all with whom 
he ha* come in contact. Devoting liiin>elf with all 
the ardor of his nature to his chosen work, he h.as 
been more than ordinarily su<'cc.-*sful. and Una ac- 
complishecl much goiHl. When twenty-three years 
old he was marrie<l to Miss Hannah Teiichout. who 
has proved a worthy helpmate, a true wife and a 
devotcil mother. They are the |>arenls of six chil- 
dren, four of whom are dereased: George and 
Henry <Iie<l in eliildliood; Lewis w:is married, wa.- 
a farmer in Iowa County, and died at the age of 



•►-41^^ 



,t 



518 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



twent\--tlirec; Leslie died at Spring Arbor, Mich., 
aged seventeen. Besides our subject tliere is living 
a son, Franklin E.. married, has one child, .and 
lives at Ft. Scott. Kan. 

The early life of the subject of this sketch, until 
he was seven years old. was passed at the village 
of West Troy, Wis. The following seven years 
were spent in Ionia County, Mich., at which time his 
fatlier joined the Methodist Episcopal Conference, 
and he was then mainly thrown upon his own re- 
sources. When fifteen years of age he attended 
Sprinsr Arbor Seminary, remaining there for sev- 
eral years, under the careful and thorough instruc- 
tion of Prof. Clark Jones. On the death of his 
elder brother he began teaching school and doing 
other work until he became of age. Then he be- 
came a student in the Valparaiso (Ind.) Normal 
.School, pursuing a thorough course of study in 
Normal and commercial branches. Leaving there 
he entered the Excelsior Institute of Pen Art, 
whence he was graduated in 1882 in a high grade- 
He w.as subsequently a member of the faculty of 
Oak Grove Seminary, at Paw Paw, Mich., assisting 
Miss Abliie Barker in carrying on that institution 
there for a year, when slie removed it to Three 
Rivers, calling it tlie Three Rivers Seminary. A 
year and a half later Miss Barker failed, the te.achers 
disbanded, and Prof. Sage at once opened a school 
in a hall down town, commencing with but few- 
pupils. His school grew in public estimation, and 
in eighteen months he was strong enough to en- 
gage the building formerly occupied by Miss Barker- 
where he has now a highly successful institution, 
under the name of the "Three Rivers Business 
College and Normal School," with an annually in- 
creasing attendance. 

The aim of Prof. Sage is to give his pujjils a 
thorough and practical training in those branches 
of knowledge which are essential to success in busi- 
ness life, also in the Normal department to give 
such a complete course of instruction as will fit his 
pupils, male or female, to become teachers in .any 
grade. To these are added such sjiecial studies as 
penmanship, not only in its everyday use, but ip 
the higliest br.'inches of the art. making students 
really professionals; sleuDgraphy and typewriting 
for both sexes; vocal and instrumsntal music; Ger- 



man and French languages; physiology- and hy- 
giene, and other kindred studies. In fact, the aim 
is to give to every pupil what may be justly termed 
a practical, finished education. Each department 
is in charge of a thoroughly qualified instructor, 
andspeci.al attention is given to thoroughly ground- 
ing each pupil in the principles of the studies pur- 
sued, and fitting them to fill honorable, useful and 
lucrative places in the world. The terras for tui- 
tion are low. and for out-of-town ])upil$ esjiecial 
arrangements are made for rooms and board at low 
rates. The school building is well situated and .ad- 
mirably- adapted for the purpose, and the institu- 
tion is constantly- growing in fa\-or, because of the 
admir.able manner in which it is conducted. Prof. 
Sage has in his possession manj- testimonials from 
former pupils, their parents, and others who have 
examined his school, both as to his ijersonal char 
acter ami fitness for the work in which he is en- 
gaged, and :« to the success which lujs attended his 
efforts. 

Sociall}-, Prof. Sage is a member of the K. of P.. 
and is Keeper of Records and Seals in the lodge 
at Three Rivers. He is also a member of the State 
Militia, and is tJuartermjister-Sergeant in the 2d 
Regiment Michigan State Troops. He does not take 
an active part in ix)litical matters, but is a believer 
in the doctrines of the Republican party. 



*^*i^ •^=»s>r^«*^ 



ON. GEORGE L. YAPLE. There are few 
(fjjlj people in Southern Michigan keeping tliem- 
jW^ selves in the least posted in regard to pub- 
J^ lie matters ^vho are unacquainted with the 
name of tliis gentleman — a man of unusual ability, 
and who was in the fall of 1882 elected to repre- 
sent the Fourth District in the Forty -eighth Con- 
gress. In this memorable election he ran ahead of 
his part^- ticket to the numlier of 1.800 votes, an 
occurrence unprecedented! in the history of the 
district. He .served his term acceptably, and was 
nominated for the Forty-ninth Congress in 188-4, 
being defeated by a small majority. In 1886 he 
was nominated for Governor by the Democratic 
party, being this time also defeated by a small ma- 
joritj-. In 1888 he was nominated by acclamation 



■^^ 






ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



51 y 



•T 



for anotlior term in Congress, and declined the 
noniin.ition. 

Tiie lii-sl ni.'in to intnxluce tlio \vori< of tariff re- 
form in tiiis State. Mr. Yapleluus in every eampaign 
made of this a lead in <; question. He lias labored 
early and late, and left no stone unturned in the 
advocacy of the principles by which he abides. 
This quality of character is not only evinced in his 
political relations, but in his private and husinei*s 
life. A man in his prime, he is a native of this 
county, and was Iwrn about six miles east of Alen- 
don, in I.eonidas Township. tVb. 2(1, 1S.')1. His 
jmrents were Klisha L. and Delilah A. (Kddy) 
Yajjle. the father a native of the State of New York, 
and born March 27. 1M22. He is still living, and. 
with his excellent wife, makes his home in Mendon, 
Mich. The latter is a native of Massachusetts, and 
born July 1.3, 182G. 

Klisha Yaple has spent a large portion of his life 
in mercantile pursuits, and been successful in busi- 
ness. George L. attended the common schools 
during his earlier years, and later, in 1871, was 
graduated from the Northwestern I'niversit}', .it 
Evanston, HI. In that class was his wife and also 
his sister. Alice A., who became the wife of J)r. 
Levi S. Wilcox, who was also a graduate of that 
class. Mrs. Wilcox died in 18HH. Our subject, 
after completing his studies at the University, en- 
tered the otHce f)f Judge Severns, of Kalamazoo, 
and w.as s<M>n admitted to practice in the cotirts of 
Michigan. Circumstan<'es. however, occurred which 
changed the current of his life for the time, anil 
returning to the farm, he occupied himself in farm- 
ing until the fall of lH7(i. 

.Mr. Yaple now visited Nebr.aska. and soj()urned 
at Beatrice until the fallof XHlH. He then returnetl 
home and commeiiceil the practice of his profession 
at Menilon. He had in the meantime been niar- 
rie(l. .Ian. 1. 1H7:1, to Miss Mary K. ilankinson. 
This lady was born .July l(i. 1M.')1, in Kockford. 
HI., anfl is the daughter of KeulH'n and Alvira 
(Mason) Ilankinson, and the third in a family of 
seven children. She wiu>i graduated in the Female 
.Seminary at Roi-kford, anri later, like her husband, 
enti'red the Northwestern University, where the}' 
formed an ac(|uaintance, and »vliere she also was 
graduated. Of thid union there have l»eeu horn 

4» 



seven children, all of whom are living, namely: 
Edward L.. .Alfred H., Carl, Marie, Harry. Oeorge 
and A Hie M. 

In 188G Mr. Yaple received the votes of the 
Democratic mendjers of the .Michigan Legislature 
for United States .Senator, and was elected by ac- 
clamation as a l)elegate-at-Large to the Democratic 
National Convention in 1««H. at .St. Louis, where 
he was selected as a nicmlier of the committee on 
resolutions, together with the sub-committee. He 
has been a close student and an extensive reader, 
and is a lecturer in this anil other Statos u|K»n sub- 
jects of general interest to the pi-ople at large. 

Socially. Mr. Yaple is a Kniglit Templar in the 
Masonic fraternity, and for the last ten years has 
been prominent among the councils of the Demo- 
cratic party in this section of Michigan. He is a 
man progressive in his ideas, and one who keejis 
himself well posted upon current events. 

Klisha L. Yaple, the father of our subject, was 
born in Delaware County, N. Y.. March 22. 1822. 
and is the son of Henry .and Charlotte (Tubbs) 
Yaple, who were natives of the Empire .State and 
Connecticut res])ectively. Henry Yaple w.is a 
farmer by occupation, was lH)rn March 22, 17'J2. 
•and married in 1821. He emigrated to Michigan 
in 18415. taking up his abode in Leonidas Township, 
where he dieil in 1851. tirandmothcr Yaple was 
born Feb. 13. 17'.»1. and died in 1851. Mr. Y. wa.s a 
capable business man and a worthy citizen, and 
although not accumulating as much of this world's 
goods as many of the men around him. was no less 
respected by the people of his comnnmity. To him 
and his excellent wife there were born nine chil- 
dren, three sons and six daughters. Thi>se children 
were named resjiectively : Kuiily C...lulia A. I'hilip 
H.. Esther S.. Elisha L.. Mary A.. Ellen N.. .lam.-s 
and Luana. 

.Mrs. Delilah \. (Eddy) Yaple. the mother of 
our snbjcH-t, wa.s lR>rn in .\dams, Berkshire Co.. 
Mails., in i82(;, and is the daughter of .b>hn E. ami 
Esther (Clark) Eddy, who were nativesof the same 
.State, .lohn Eddy was born Jan. l.S, 1798. and 
diiil Jan. 2(1, IM.'i7. He wjis a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and a member of the solid and relialile ele- 
ment of his ciiinmunity. His wife. Esther, w.as 
born June 21. 1803, and dietl Aug. 27, 1871. They 



.J^ 



4^ 



520 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



emigrated to Jlicliigan Territory in IM(>. Tliey 
were tlie parents of three eliildreii: Sanuiel. who is 
now deceased; Delihih and William. Elisha Yaple 
and ;Miss Delilah Ivldy were married July 3(t. 1818. 
To.Klislia L. and Delilah A. Yaple there were 
born five children, namely: George L.. Alice A., 
I'Mward 1).. Henry K. and Lola M. Alice and 
Edward are dece;i.sed. Elisha Yajile came to Michi- 
gan in the spring of 184(!, and located in J^eonidas, 
where he engaged in mercantile business and lived 
until 1857. Thence he removed to ^lendon. Mr. 
Ya])le. i)olilic;dly. is a stanch Democrat and a 
nienilicr of the .Masonic fraternitx'. 




-t 



OBERT S. (IIUFFITII is an honored cili/en 
of Faliiiis 'J'ownsliip, with whose agricult- 
ural interests he is prominently identified, 
l)oth !is a farmer and a stock-raiser. lie is 
the owner of one of the valuable farms for which 
this section is somewhat noted. It is finely located 
on section IK. and its well-tilled, productive acres 
have ami)ly repaiil the cart' and niont'V that he has 
bestowed upon them. 

iVIr. Griffith was born in liuckingham Township. 
Bucks Co.. Pa., Jan. 11. 1824, and is a son of 
Joseph and Mary (Scarborough) Griffith, the father 
a natives of Wales, and the motlier of that part of 
Pennsylvania included in William Penn's grant. 
The niotlici- was of (Quaker antecedents, her people 
belonging to that deiiominalion. and her ancestry 
coming from England to settle in Pennsylvania at 
an early d.ay in its colonial history. They had a 
family of thirteen children, of whom our subject 
wa.s the eldest. I'.sther .\nn was born Feb. 11, 182j, 
and married Albert Cooper; they have one daughter, 
Emma. Mercy P.. born March 30. 1K27. married 
David llolcome: they arc tiic parents of seven chil- 
dren. .I()hn. burn April 21. 18;i(). married Caroline 
llolcome; they have eight children. Silas Levi, born 
March 3. 1833, nianied and has five children; the}' 
live in Nebr.aska. Joseph, born March 28, 1834, 
died in 183(>, Eli Paxon, born Sept. 7, 1835, mar- 
ried Elizalieth Cox. and lia.s six children; they re- 
side in Pennsylvania, .^arali. born June 1. 1837, 
manied Janus Uagermau; they had one child, who 



died Feb. 21. 1885. Joseph, born Feb. 11, 1839. 
is married; he is a minister and is now pastor of 
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Ne- 
braska. William Harrison, born June 25, 1840, mar- 
ried Cassie Hooker, of Pennsylvania; they are the 
parents of three daughters, now residing in Ne- 
braska. Mary, liiiiii Nov. 23. I.s41. married .lames 
•Shanon. of Nevada; they liave two sons, and reside 
in Nemaha. Neb. Henry Clay, born Sept. 30, 1843, 
died Nov. 12, 1801. Elizabeth W., born .Sei)t. 23, 
1845, and died in 1847. 

Robert S. was i-eared on a farm and received the 
benefit of a fair education, such a.s his father could 
afford to give him in those days, before free schools 
were known. He worked by the month some be- 
fore he was allowed to start out in life for himself. 
Being an active, enterprising youth, at the age of 
nineteen he bought his time of his father, p.ayiug him 
the sum of %125. He was married, March 20, 1851, to 
^liss Susan Cox. daughter of Jonas and Elizabeth 
(Larue) Cox. Following is a sliort chron<)logical 
record of her parents and their children: Jonas 
Cox was born on the 15lh day vf Octoljer, 17!t7. 
F>lizabeth Larue was born on the 2(lth d.ay of 
August, 1797. They were united in marriage at 
l-\allsington. Bucks Co.. Pa., on tlie 15th of April. 
1819. Jonas Cox died on the 19th of Deeemlier. 
1834. Elizabeth, his wife, survived him many 
years, dying on the 1 1th of -Al.ay, 1809. Their 
union was productive of eight children, as follows: 
Sarah was born on the 7th of February, 1820, and 
died on the 10th of March, 1845; John L. w.as born 
on the 17th of July. 1821; Hannah, on the 1st of 
September, 1823; EUwood, on the 29th of M:iy. 
1825; Mary Ann 1^., on the 13th of February. 
1827; Sus.anna. wife of our subject, on the 30tli of 
March, 1829; Samuel L. was born on the 8th of 
June. 1831. and died on the 20tli of September. 
1833; Elizabeth was born on the 30th of March. 
1834. John L. Cox niaiiied Catherine lliles, who 
was born on the 27th of April. 1838. Two chil- 
tlren have been born of that marriage: Jt)sepli, on 
the 6th of May. 1858. and Charles W., on the 28th 
of September. 1803. 

For two years after his marriage our subject was 
employed as a day laborer. He was economical find 
thrifty, and carefully saving his earnings bought 

•► 



-0^ 



ST. JOSKPII COUNTY. 



=4^ 



523 



a luirse, and wont into <,h*l)l fur .inotlier, and thus 
equipped rented some land and wa.s industriously 
eiiifajred in fnrniinjr it for four years. At the ex- 
])iration of that time hi-Jiad saved ^1.1.')0. U'sides 
owninijsome jx-rsonal property, sueli as household 
^oo<ls. In 18.")7 he eoiicluded to try ajrricultura! 
]mrsuits on the surpassingly fertile soil of St. 
.loseph County; in this State, ofwhieh he had heard 
many irlowinir aeeonnts. ?Vftor his arrival here with 
his family he pureh.ased 111 acres of land, one and 
one-half miles east of Three Rivers, and there he 
lived until 1H78. For a time he w;u< very prosper- 
ous and made money fast. Durinjf the war he 
built a handsome and commodious house at a cost 
of $4,000, hut afterward came the financial p.anic, 
times were hard, and the expense that he had been 
at in improving his place proved too heavy a burden, 
and he was obliged to dis|iose of his property to 
\>a.y his debts. After havinjj honorably discharire<l 
every dollar of his indebtedness, he found that he 
h.ad about fil.200 left with which to start life anew. 
He tlien Ixiught his present farm, wliich. with the 
same indefatigable industry that has alw.ays charac- 
terized him. he has inii)roved into one of the best 
places in the neighborhood. It comprises 100 acres 
of fertile soil, well adapted to both the raising of 
grain and cattle. 

Over the pleasant household of our subject the 
shadow of death fell Nov. 21. 1887, and the devoted 
wife and tender mother was removed from the 
scene of her usefulness. She was a woman whose 
sincerity, tact, and great goodness of character, 
m.ade her beloved liy all who knew her. and in her 
death the community lost one whose place will be 
hard to fill. Although she dedicated her life to her 
duties as a wife and a mother, she was ever ready 
to res|X)nd to the needs of others outside of the 
home circle, and her memory will lie fondly cher- 
ished by relatives, friends and neighbors. The 
Methodist Kpiscopal Cliurch, of which she was a 
raenilxT from the time she was thirteen years of age, 
lost in her a bright and shining light. Kight chil- 
dren were Ixirn of her marriage with our sub- 
ject, of whom seven are living: Mary Anna, born 
March 2H. I«.'j2. isthe wife of Joseph Fisher, of 
Park Township, and has four chihlren living; 
Sarah L.. lx)m Dec. 12, 1853. died Dec. 25. 1871; 



Eliza C, born March I'J, IH.jG. is the wife of Frank 
Dougherty, lives with her father, and h.as one child; 
.lohn Cox, born March 6. 1H58, is married to Min- 
nie Cox, has one child, and livas on the home farm; 
Lizzie, born Oct. 19, 1860, is the wife of Mills 
llow.'inl. of Cass County. Mich., and has une child; 
Williiim A., born .lunc tl. 1H(!;!. is at present work- 
ing by the month; Rachel, born June 24, 1865, 
lives at Three Rivers; Katie M.. born .Ian. i:i, 
1868, is her father's housckeei)er. 

Mr. Griffith is a thoroughly upright, conscien- 
tious man. one in whom his neighbors place the 
higliest confideiu'e. lie is a sincere and earnest 
Christian, and for twenty years has been a member 
of the Methodist Kpiscopal Church. lie tiikes a 
deep interest in improving the agri<-ultural methods 
of to-d.\v. and is a vixlucd member of the grange. 
Politically, he sympathizes with tlie Republican 
|)arly. and has always voted the Repuldican ticket. 
Apropos to the psist campaign and his party candi- 
date. Jlr. (Iritlith .says he well remembers taking 
part in the "log cabin and hard cider" campaign of 
1840. although he was not old enough to vote. He 
has never sought office, although he has served 
very acceptably on the School Board. Mr. Orillith 
was drafted into the Union Army in 1864, the last 
draft in tlie district. He gave $200 toward provid- 
ing a substitute, the town giving the balance and 
filling its quota. 



•'c4* —-:•.— - 



:^ AMUKL A. WALTON. The man who has 
made a success of life should be liappy. (or 
Ml how many there are who fail, where one 
succeeds. Ami he who. in tlie midst of 
success, bears in mind with kindly charity those less 
fortunate, lays up treasures for himself which no 
thief can steal from him. The biographer is con- 
strained thus to philosophize in noting the facts 
connected with the history of the gentleman whose 
name prefaces this sketch. 

We fiiul in Mr. Walton an old resident of Tiiree 
Rivers, one of its earlier merchants, but retired 




r 



JL 



:L, 



.■)24 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



from active luisiness about fiflcen j'ears. lie onns 
and occii|iies a fine lionie, a lianil.^onie luiek lesi- 
•U'nce, complete in its finiylilngs ant) furnisliings, in- 
dicative willilii and without of tiie refinement of 
modern life. He is a man cultivated and intelli- 
gent, one wlio lias seen much of the world, having 
traveled over a goodly portion of the United States 
from Florida to California. His career has been 
rlistinguished by that broad and liberal spirit which 
has led him to donate earl^' and often of his means 
to worthy enterprises, churches, schools, and the 
other projects tending to elevate man in the social 
scale, and fit bim to work out his destinj- as evi- 
dently flesigned bj- the Creator. 

Our subject first began life in Ross County, Ohio, 
at the modest home of his parents near the town of 
Chillicolhe. Nov. 17, KS2G. He is the fifth chilci 
of John and Cassandra (Riltcr) Walton, tlie father 
a native of New Jersey, and the mother born in 
Kentucky. They were married in 17US. and soon 
afterward settled in Koss County, Ohio, where they 
lived until I S.'i3. Thence the}' removed to Wyan- 
dot County, that StJite, where the father followed 
his trade of cooper, and also carried on farming. 
Our subject there spent his boyhood attending the 
district school, and making such good progress that 
he in good time developed into a teacher, which 
profession he followed four winters. 

Desirous now of n change of scene, young Wal- 
ton left his native Slate, and proceeded to McLean 
County, 111. Having in view the pursuit of agri- 
culture, he purchased HJO acres of land near Hloom- 
ington. to which later he-added 100 acres more. In 
the meantime all this preparation for the future was 
stimulated liy the i>rospect of a hap|\v Imme and 
congenial companion, and when he had made the 
requisite arrangements he returned to Ohio, and 
was united in marriage with one of the most estim- 
able young ladies of Wyandot County, Miss Mary 
A. Kissell. Mrs. Walton was the daughter of Rev. 
George (J. Kissell. who for many years was a min- 
ister of the German Reformed Cluirch. The young 
couple at once sought their new home in Illinois, 
and Mr. Walton gave his attention to the improve- 
ment and cultivation of his farm for six 3-ears 
thereafter. At the expiration of this lime he sold 
out for the snug sum of %7,000. 



Having in view a change of occupation. Mr. Wal- 
ton now came to Michigan, and invested a portion 
c)f his cai>ital in a stock of general merchandise, es- 
tablishing his store in Three Rivers. It must be 
remembered that he was totally unacquainted with 
an enterprise of this character, but his natural abili- 
ties and good judgment enabled him to make of the 
experiment a success. He was thus occupied until 
the winter of 18GG, when he sold out to good ad- 
vantage, and for a year was not engaged in any 
active employment. Afterward he purchased a 
selected slock of drj'-gooils. and carried on a good 
trade in this quality of merchandise until 1iH7.'5. 
Then selling out once more, he retired permanently 
from active business, and is now living at his ease, 
surrounded by all the comforts of life 

To Samuel A. and JIary A. (Kissell) Walton 
there were born four children, three sons and one 
daughter. The eldest, Myron K., is a resident of 
Grand Rapids; Marion I. and .Sherman G., the sec- 
ond and youngest sons, comprise the firm of Wal- 
ton Bros., who are numbered among the leading 
merchants of Three Rivers. The daughter. May 
K.. is the wife of Dr. E. A. Balyeat, ami they re- 
side in Kalamazoo. The mother of these children 
died at her home in Three Rivers, Aug. M. 1SS4. 
Mr. Walton contracted a second marriage. May 2G, 
l.s.><G, with Miss Jennie H. AVheeler, who was born 
Jan. lf>. 185.S, in Jackson County, this .State. 

Mr. Walton has always been a stirring business 
man, and while his private matters have demanded 
much lime and alteiition. he still retains a warm 
interest in the growth and prosperity of his adopted 
city, and lias been foremost in encouraging the pro- 
jects best calculated to give it sUuiding and posi- 
tion in the commercial world. He has been con- 
nected with' the First Nationul Bank as a Director 
since its organization, and is one of its lea<ling 
stockholders. He formerly served as a mem her 
of the City Council, and in religious matters has 
been one of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church for man}' years, and one of its most lilieral 
supporters, donating at one time the large sum of 
S;3,000. Ill political matters the Republican party 
receives his iiuqualilied support. 

louring the winter of 1 MK3-JS4 Mr. Walton gave 
his time to rest aiid recreation on the Pacific Slope, 



4 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



5-25 i i 



and in the winter of 188G-87 lie and iiis wife re- 
ptiired to Florida, and spent several weeks enjoying 
its mild climate, fjreatly to their salisfarlion. and 
which also proved beneficial to their health and 
spirits. 

■ r-i ■ ■ • ' py fl- * ■ ■ ■ ■,_ 



I 



JONATHAN A. IIAHTZLKU. Prominent 
aniouif the many sultstantial and prosperous 
farmers who are resident within the limits 
of Mottville Township, the subject of this 
tiketch holds no secondary position. He resides on 
section 13, where he owns and operates a splendidly 
cultivated farm containing 110 acres, lie comes 
from that sturdy race of people that originality set- 
tled iu I'ennsylviinia. from the (ierman countries of 
Kurope. The various peculiarities characteristic of 
those pet>ple are fully exeni|)lified by the life and 
conduct of our subject, t^uiet and inrsevering, he 
has yet to learn what the word failure means. He 
is very conservative in his life, and before he en- 
gage*! in any enterprise he calmly weighs the matter, 
and when he decides to act. the invariable result is 
success. 

This gentleman w.os born in .Mitllin County. I'a.. 
Jan. 25. 1833. He is the son of Abraham llartzler. 
who is now living in Cass County, Mo. The father 
W!is born Nov. 26. 1807. in Mittlin County, where 
he was marriwl to Magck'lena Zook. in the year 
1H32. She is a daughter of Abraham ZfMik. was 
lK)rn Aug. 13. 180;'), and is also a native of Milllin 
County. I'a. They lived in Pennsylvania until 
March. 18r>.j. when they moved to Klkhart County. 
Intl., where he purchased a sawmill and a farm. 
They lived in that county until 18G6. when they 
moved t() St. .losepli County. Mich., where he 
j)urch!i.scd a small farm, and lived there until 1881, 
in which year he traveled a great deal for the bene- 
fit of his health. He now resides in Ca.ss County, 
Mo., a hale luid hearty old gentleman, aged eighty- 
one yeani; his wife is dead. 

The grandfather of our subject, David Hartzler. 
■was l)orn .Ian. 20. 1768. in IJerks County, Pa. He 
died Oct. 21, 18.i.5, in Belleville, Mifflin Co., Pa. 
His wife was Mary YtKler; she was Imrn Sept. 16. 
1771. and died .lune 2.'>. 18.')(;. David Hartzler was 
the son of John Hartzler. born in Switzerland, died 



in April, 1801. He was marriwl to Veronica Keichen- 
bach. John llartzler w;u? the son of Jacob llartzler. 
Jacob was born in 1703 of Swiss parents, in Switzer- 
land. He and his family emigrated from Switzer- 
land to the Palatinate, a Province in the northea.st 
of France, on the Hiver Rhine, adjoining ISaden. 
and resided there for some years during the reign 
of Louis XV. Jacob H. and faniilj- emigrated to 
America, taking the rf)ute via Kotterdani, Holland 
and Plymouth, Kngland. He came over in the 
ship "St. Andrew," James Abercrombie. master, 
frt>in Rotterdam, landing in Philadelphia. Pa., Sept. 
'J, 17t'.). 

Our subject is the eldest of a family of six sons, 
who are named as follows: Jonathan, our subject; 
Jacob, Abraham 1)., David E.. John J. and .Samuel 
Z. David K. married Mary Yoder. and lives in Cass 
County, Mo., where he is engaged in farming: he 
is the father of a son and daughter. Jacob married 
Susannah Ulough, and resides in Elkhart County, 
Ind.. where he is a farmer; he has two sons .and two 
daughters. Abraham D. married M.ittie Sdirock. 
and to them were Iwrn three sons; the mother died 
in Elkhart County. Ind. He afterwarfl marrie<l 
iliss Lydia Hlougli, and to them have been born 
two daughters, and they now reside in Goshen, 
Ind.. where he does general work, and h.as a family 
of five children, three sons and two daughters. 
John J. is the husband of Mattie Mast, and they 
live in Cass County. Mo., where he is a farmer and 
a minister in the Mennonite Church; he has a large 
family. Samuel Z. is a single man, and lives in 
Kansiis. where he te.iches school and is also engaged 
in railro-tding. Jonathan A. Hartzler. our subject, 
was marrietl in MitHin Count}-, Pa., Jan. 28. 18.56; 
his wife died April 7, 1872. and her name was 
Nancy Hartzler, daughter of Adam and Mary 
(Hooley) Hartzler. He is the father of eight chil- 
dren, who are named: Rachel. Mattie. Eliz-alK-th, 
Katie, Nancy. Abraham. MatiMa anil Lydia. 
Rachel is married to Levi J. Peaehey ; he is a lalxjrer. 
and has no family; Mattie is unmarried, and re- 
sides in Cass County. Mo.; Elizal)eth is the wife tif 
Elias R. Miller, a farmer in Cass County. Mo., 
and she is the mother of one sfin; Katie is un- 
married and lives in Cass County. .Mo.; Nancy is 
married, to Epkraim D. Plank, a farmer, and lives 



«» ^ « 4» 



•^^f^ 



L. 



52G 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



4 



in Lagrange C'ount3\ Ind.; Al>raliam is single and 
is employed as a carpenter; Matilda, unmarried, and 
Lydia, the youngest, are both at iiome with their 
father. 

Jlr. Ihirtzler has been a farmer all liis life, in 
wliifh he lias proved fairly successful, lie h.is held 
various ollices in tlic town in which he resides, and 
has lived f)ii liis present farm for the last twenty- 
five years. The w1k)1c farm is under a very high 
state of cultivation. The buildings, although not 
elaborate, are of a very substantial and permanent 
character. The house is roomy and very com- 
fortably furnished; nicely' located, the barns and 
Other necessary out-buildings are ver^' capacious 
and well adapted for their intended use. He has 
always lived a verj- frugal and contented life, and 
he has gathered about him a handsome propertj-, 
and one which si)eaks very higlily for iiis indus- 
trious habits. lie is .Signal Service IJeportcr for 
liis locality, lie is a member of the Mennonite 
Church, of which his wife was also a member, and 
they were ver3- earnest .-nid devout in their religious 
duties, lie is a man of considerable note in his 
neigliborliood. and lie prides himself (m the fact 
that his undertakings are almost alw.ays crowned 
with prosperit}'. In politics he is a Republican. 

^ ft 1LLL\M A.MO'WUMa^nianagerof tlielele- 
\/sJ/l 1'''0"^' c.xchangc at Three Ki vers, is a native 
W^ of Danville, Jlontour Co., Pa., born Feb. 
12, 18.37. his i)arenls being I'eter and Mary Mowrer. 
His father was a farmer in .Montour County, where 
he was born and where his entire life had been 
spent. He died in .\pril, 1873, aged forty-nine. 
He had been a farmer all his lifetime and had never 
aspired to any public position. He had for many 
years been a member of the Reformed Church, and 
was esteemed as a good man and a good citizen. 
His wife was JIarj' Everette, a native also of Dan- 
ville, who is now living with her sou William A., 
in Three Rivers. They were the parents of six 
children, as follows: Henry A., who is married and 
lives in Oallalin Valley, Mont., engaged in stock- 
raising, cattle, sheep anil horses; Margaret. Charles, 
Alonzo, l-camUr. nil iiuinanitMl and living in Three 



Rivers, and AVilliam A., our subject, who w.as the 
eldest of the family. He attended the pul)lic 
schools in his youth, and afterward was graduated 
in the commercial course at the Danville Academy. 
On leaving there he went as clerk into a store in 
that place in which he had previously worked in 
his school d.ays, and in 1877 decided to go farther 
West, intending toTocate in Peoria, 111., but finally- 
decided to make his home in Three Rivers, where 
he had some relatives. His fust work in that place 
was as a clerk for G. C. Brissette, the clothing 
merchant. Prom there he went to Elkhart. Ind.. to 
close out a stock of ch)thing for R. Blackburn. 
This being finished he returned to Three Rivers, 
and with a grand-uncle started on a tour to see the 
South and .Southwest country. Four months after 
they had started, and while in Columbia, Tenn., 
the elder, named Isaac ^lowrer. was taken ill. and as 
soon as he was able to travel they returned to Three 
Rivers, where .Mr. .Mowrer .suffered a relap.se and 
soon died. The following year was spent by our 
subject in Elkhart in charge of the cloak department 
of Dorn. Ciemberling it Co.. and Nov. 1, 188(). he 
eniraged with the Teleiilione and Telegraph Con- 
struction Company of Michigan, and the Michigan 
Bell Telephone Company, the former operating all 
the local lines and the latter the State lines connect- 
ing the towns with each other all over the .State. 
Since then Mr. Mowrer has been engaged as district 
manager for both companies, with headquarters at 
Three Rivers. 

In September, 1883, Mrs. Slowrer and her chil- 
dren came to Michigan, and the family are living 
together in Three Rivers. Mr. Mowrer is a mem- 
ber of the Reformed Cliurch, is also a member of 
the JIasonic fnitcrnity; Three Rivers Lodge No. 
52, F. & A. -M.; Salathiel Chapter No. 28, R. A., 
and Three Rivers Commandery No. 29. He is held 
in high estimation as a young man of excellent 
character and unblemished reputation. 

The Three Rivers Exchange, of which Mr. Mow- 
rer has charge, wils established M.ay 2.'?. 1882. It 
began business with thirty-one subscriliers. and in 
the two years following had increased to fifty -one. 
At this time and during the year.s 188;") and 188fi 
the business deerea.sed. the number of subscribers 
Nov. 1, I88G, being hut eleven. The company 



4> 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



had then clecided on abMiulouinjj llic excliaiifje. but 
on i-oiisiiltin<i: witli Mr. Mowror lie assured tlieni 
that a business could he huilt up in 'I'hree Rivers, 
and he was at tnioe ])Ut in ciiarire. The cause of 
the decline was mismanagement and nefjiect on the 
part of tlu! managrers. The result justilied Mr. 
Mowrer's confidence. Tt)day the exchange has sixty- 
four suhscrihers in Three Hivei-s; is connected with 
Sturgis, where are four subscribers; with C'eutre- 
ville, where there are two; C'onstantine two; at 
White Pigeon. Nottawa. Mendon, Colon, Burr 
Oak. McKirepark and Sch(x>lcraft. in which places 
there are public telephone stations only, as there 
are also in the other places where there are sub- 
scribers. The exchange luis under Jlr. Mowrer's 
careful management ])r<.)ved a great advantage to 
the business men of the county especially, and is 
widel}' usefl and always favorably s|x>ken of. The 
prospects of the exchange in Three Rivers are 
bright for future business, and to-day the number 
of subscribers is far above the average of towns of 



its size. 



iS^J^^Uss 



^'OIIN M. I, EI. AM). One 1)y one the pio- 
I I neers of .St. .Iose])h County are falling be- 
^,^1 ; fore the ruthless hand of Time. a,s the trees 
^^/ of the forest before the hand of ax men. 
Another has heard the summons and has "gone to 
that !)0iirne whence no traveler returns." .Tohn 
M. Lcland. who settled in this county in 1H34, be- 
fore the narrow trail of the Indian had given way 
to the broad track of the white man, departed this 
life on the 7th of N»)vember, IKT.'i. at the same 
place which he forty years ago selected in the wil- 
derness !U'< a home for himself and his family. 

Mr. Leiand was born in Mooresburg. I'a.. March 
1.'), 1807, and consequently at the time of his death 
hiid .ittained to the ripe age of sixty-six years. Al- 
though he shared to n limited extent the'advantages 
tif the common schools of his day. he yet availed 
himself of that which enable<l him to be much 
more useful a.< a settler of a new country than if 
he had possessed all the culture and refinement 
our best academic and colle ,'iato institutions could 
have given — he learned the trade of a millwright. 
On his arrival here he was the ver\ man wanted. 



the very man sought after to aid in rearing the 
mills of this country, which at that time were very 
few. 

In 1830. when the writer of this tribute to Mr. 
Leiand had just .settled in Western Michigan, the 
nearest gristmill w.as at Ann Arbor, or Tecumseh. 
Mr. Leiand wa.s not a man to stop and look on. 
doing nothing, but at once went to work and busied 
himself ever afterward, assisting to make this 
county what it is to-day. Almost ever}' w.ater- 
mill built during the first fifteen years of its set- 
tlement bears the marks of his skill and handiwork. 
Ilis mind an<l labors were not confined entirely to 
the routine of his trade. Ilis genius, for he was a 
man of genius, if not cunning, was constantly peer- 
ing into the unknown, seeking to bring forth some- 
thing that would be useful to his fellowmen. He 
fores.iw that when the forest should be stripped 
from the broad acres of Michigan, and the land, 
together with the prairies, sliould be covered with 
grain, th.at something must be invented to gather 
and prepare the grain for market, something not 
then known, or the labor of the husbandman would 
be in vain. 

Mr. Leiand accordingly entered llu' tield of in- 
vention. One of the first products of his genius 
was the cylinder threshing-m.ichine. He inventetl 
the first reaper the writer ever saw or heard of; 
and the last, the crowning act of his genius. wa.s 
the inventicm of the sickle whidi is now used in 
cutting all of our grain. When Hiram Moore, of 
the county of Kalamazoo, invented the harvester 
(so called) he used a straight bar with sickle teeth 
on one side for cutting the grain, but it did not 
I work well, clogging and endangering the succe.»vs- 
ful o]icration f)f the machine. It w.-is said that Mr. 
{ Moore wju>* greatly concerned aljout the failure of 
the sickle bar, and while standing one day looking at 
' it. racking his brain and trying to devi.se some- 
thing better for cutting the grain, the subject of 
I this notice came along, and after regarding it a few 
' moments attentively, said: ".Mr. .M<H)re, I think 1 

can improve your cutting apparatus." 

\ The year following Mr. Leiand brought out the 

' V sickle, which was inuneiliately adopted, and hius 

I since been in use without any material alterations. 

I'nlike most inventors, he was purely unselfish. 



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i 



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028 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 






lie worked for the welfare of others, and not for 
hinit^elf. His inventions lie made free to all. and 
never sought to secure any special advantage bj' 
obtaining patents. Jn other labors :Mr. Leland 
spent a long and useful life, and as a citizen, a bus- 
band .and a father, he was no less to be renu>njl)ered 
than as a millwright and an inventor. His hand 
was ever open to the jioor and needy. In his fam- 
ily he was kind and affectionate, and the example 
of his life to his children was the guiding star to 
respect and usefulness. As a brotlier pioneer the 
writer takes a melancholy ple.isure in paying this 
small tribute to his memory, feeling that he out- 
striiiped the majority of men in his usefulness 
among the various interests of St. Joseph Count}-. 

The subject of this sketch was the son of George 
Leland. a native of New Jersey, and born in 1769. 
He was reared in FIiiladcli)hia, Pa., and at an early 
age had been adopted by a wealthy family, with 
whom he grew to manhood. He chose farming for 
his vocation, and upon reaching manhood was mar- 
ried in his native State to Miss Lydia Moore. Thej' 
became the parents of fourteen children, all of whom 
grew to become men and women. The family emi- 
grated to Michigan Territory in 1836. and located 
on section 1, in Lockjwrt Township, wiiere the 
death of Gec>rge I-ehind occurred in 1860. and that 
of Ids wife Lydia when -lie was seventy -nine years 
old. 

John ^I. Leland, the subject of this sketch, 
was reared to manhood in Jlooresburg, Montour 
Co.. Pa., where lie completed a practical educa- 
tion in the cominon scIkkjI, and where he learned 
the trade of a millwright. He was married in 
Northumberland Coimty, Pa., near Danville, Feb. 
18, 1834. to Miss Sarah G., daughter of John and 
Catherine (Gulick) Gaskin, of that county. Mr. 
Gaskin was of Irish parentage, while his wife was 
a native of New Jersey. They both died at the 
home of their daughter, Mrs. Leland. in Lockport, 
the mother Aug. 8, 1848, when sixty -eight years 
old; the f.ather Feb. 12. 18.')8. at theage of seventj-- 
nine j-ears. They were the parents of seven chil- 
dren, five sons and two daugliters. all of whom 
grew to mature years. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Leland there were born four 
children: Harriet E. remains at home with her 

4* 



mother; William G. marrieil Miss ^largaret Castle, 
and has one daughter. May; he resides with iiis 
mother and occupies a part of the old farm. .Ann- 
uel G. married Miss Sophia Straehly. He lives 
under the old home roof, and is the father of one 
child, a daugliter Myrtie. Elner F. is unmarried 
and remains with her mother. Mr. Leland. politi- 
cally, was a stanch Hepublican. The parents of 
Mrs. L. were members of the Presbyterian Church, 
of which Mr?. L. is also a member. 

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^^ HAHLES I'. FISHEIL The Three Rivers 
{1(^1 House in the city of this name is one of the 
^^»( most popular hotels in the place, and was 
originally conducted many yeai's by the father of 
our subject, and after his death Cliarles U. suc- 
ceeded to its management. The latter has had a 
ripe exjierience in the business, and seems peeuliarlv 
adapted to m.anage successfully the various emer- 
gencies which naturally arise in an enterprise of 
this description. The hotel under his management 
sustains its early reputation as one of the most 
hosjiitable places for a weary traveler which can be 
found within the limits of St. Joseph County. 

Our subject w.as born Aug. 26. 1840. on the 
banks of Fisher Lake, Lockport Township, which 
lake took its name from his honored father, who 
settled in close proximity to it during the pioneer 
da^-s of this county. To Leonard Fisher and his 
wife, Sar.ah Underwood, the parents of our subject. 
there were born eleven children, of whom Charles 
U. was the fifth, and seven of whom lived to ma- 
ture years. Three of these are living, residing in 
Chicago and Detroit. The parents were born in 
Montour County, Pa., where also they were reared 
and married, and soon after uniting their lives and 
fortunes cmigrate<l to Michigan in 1834. during 
its Territorial days. 

The years 1809 and 1812 designate the birth of 
the father and mother respectively of our subject. 
After coming to Michigan they lived a number of 
years on Fisher Lake, being the first settlers in that 
region. The father battled with the elements of a 
new soil for many years and built up a comfortable 
homestead, upon which he remained until 1855. 



f 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



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52U 



f 



Then IwiviiiiT tlii' farm lie iissiiined clinrf^e of the 
TliriH' Kivors House, whicli lie conducted suceess- 
fully until 1«7!», sellinfr out to his son Charles U., 
but continuins; to live with him until his death, 
which occurred .hine 21. i»H2. The mother in the 
meantime had liecn called hence Sept. 11, 187."). 

Out suhject W!is a youth of fifteen years when 
his parents left the farm and took up their residence 
in Three Rivers. Therejifter he .ncted in the ca- 
|)acity of clerk in his father's hotel, thus {jrowing 
up in the business and jiaining a valuable experi- 
ence in connection therewith. His marriau:e with 
Miss .lennie Hendrickson w.is celebrated at the 
Ijride's home in 1S(!7. .Mrs. Fisher is a very capa- 
ble and intelligent lady, and has proved a most ef- 
ficient assistant to her husband, looking well to the 
ways of her large household and doing everything 
in her |)Ower to make her guests feel welcome and 
comfortable. 

The Three Rivers House is a substantial structure, 
comprising fifty rooms, neatly fitted up, and it is a 
very rare occasion when any of them are unoceu- 
pietl. "Mine host" of the Three Rivers Hou.se is 
a gentleman widely known throughout this part of 
the county, and both he and his excellent wife are 
kindly remembered b^- those who have ever par- 
taken of their hosi)itality. There was born to 
them one child oidy. Jan. 30, 1869, who died of 
lung trouble, .Ian. 14, 1888. 




RKUKRICIv A. BKLLMAN is proprietor .of 



the (irm of F. A. Bellman, cigar manufact- 
urer, and in the enjoyment of a good busi- 
ness at Three Rivers, the firm being ostJiblishcd in 
1870. Mr. 15., a native of I'nion Coiintj', Pa., was 
born near Berlin, the old county seat, April 2.3, 
184;5, and is the son of Samuel Bellman, a native 
of the same county, where the latter spent his entire 
life, and died when his son Fretlerick A. was a lit- 
tle lad five years of age. 

The mother of our subject, .Mrs. Susan (Benfer) 
Bellman, was also a native of Union County, Pa.; 
she was niarric<l the second time, and some years 
hiter removed with her husband, .lohn Walborn, to 
.Seneca County, Ohio. They settled on a farm. an<l 



Mr. Walborn died in 1876. The mother then came 
to this county, and made her home with her son, 
our subject, until her death, which took place in 
February, 1888. 

Frederick A. Bellman was the fifth in a family of 
seven children, aiid after the death of his father his 
lot was cast among strangers. He was taken into 
the home of George Leitzel, near Kratzerville, 
with whom he remaineil until fourteen years of 
age. In winter he attemled the district school, and 
in summer worked upon a farm. Upon leaving Mr. 
Leitzel he worke<l at farming two years for other 
parties. Later he took up house painting, which 
he followed until the outbreak of the Civil War, 
then enlisted under the call for three-months men 
in the 84tli Ohio Infantry. 

After serving out his time and receiving his dis- 
charge Mr. Bellman migrated to Toledo, Ohio, 
where he re-enlisted with the three-years soldiery, 
in the .55th Ohio Infantry, and gave to his country 
his faithful service during this time. He took part 
in twenty-three regular battles, among the most im- 
portiint being the second fight at Bull Run, the bat- 
tle of the Wilderness, Gettysburg, Look(jut Mount- 
ain, the siege of Atlanta, ami went with Sherman 
on his famous march to the sea. Heescai)ed wounds 
and imprisonment, and was never ill enough to be 
confined in the hospital, nor ever absent at the time 
of roll call. He received his honorable discharge ut 
Washington. D. C, in ,)une, 186.5. ' 

After the war Mr. Bellman resumed painting in 
Toledo, Ohio, until 18611, which year found him at 
Three Rivers in this county. He now at once com- 
menced the manufacture of cigars, associating him- 
self with his brother George H.,and they oi)erated 
together until the firm was merged into a stock 
company, called the Bellman Cigar Company. The 
business was continued succesijfull^' until the death 
of George H. Bellman and another partner, when 
our subject purchaseil the interest of the two de- 
ceased, and continued the business alone for a time, 
then to(jk in a partner, the firm becoming Benfer Jt 
Bellman. I^ater it was changed to Bi-llman iji: 
Handy, the latter gentleman at that time acting as 
Po9tm;ister at Three Rivers. .Subsequently Mr. 
Handy disposed of his interest in the business to 
Mr. Francisco, whose interest .Mr. Bellman has pur- 



i 



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o30 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



cli.ised. The firm docs a general maniifacturing 
business, and gives C'mi)liijnu'iit iisuallj' to twenty 
men. disposing of its goods l)otli at wholesale and 
retail. 

The marriage of Mr. Bellraan and Miss Frances 
MeGuire ocfurred in Toledo. Ohio, in 1865. Mrs. 
Bellman was born in Canada, in 1844, and by her 
union with our subject became the mother of one 
child, a son, Leon K., who was born in 1806, and 
is a practical harness-maker, doing business now in 
Three Rivers. Mr. Bellman is a member of the 
Masonic fr.iternity of several years' standing, be- 
longing to the Chapter and Coromandery, and as 
an ex-soldier is identified with the G. A. R. He 
belongs to Company D, 2d Michigan State Militia; 
and held the rank of Second Lieutenant, w.as then 
niaile First Lieutenant and finally commissioned 
(.^uaitermaster, which jiosilion he still holds. Ho 
uniforudy votes the Republican ticket. He served 
three years as Alderman from the First Ward, and 
was Cliairman of the Fir« and Water Coniiuitlee 
for two years. 



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ICH^rOXD E. CASE, editor of the Xews Re- 
porter of Three Rivers, has been a resident of 
lii \\\ ■ St. Joseph County for forty-four years. He 
)was born in Richmond. Ontario Co.. X. Y.. 
April 26, 1828. his parents being William and 
Paulina (Robblee) Case, who were natives of 
Washington County', X. Y., whence they had re- 
moved. The elder Case was a farmer, pursu- 
ing that avocation until his de.ith. which occurred 
in 1830. at the age of forty-two years, having been 
born Jan. 5, 1788. He was married Jan. 18, 1814. 
His widow some time after his decease became the 
wife of William Blair, and died June .5, 18.51, in 
Constantiue. St. Joseph Co.. Mich., where they had 
settled. At the time of her decease she was fifty- 
six years of age, being born JLarcb l.'i, 1795. 

William Case wiis a plain farmer, who never 
.aspired to any jmblie position or notorietj-. He had 
eight children, as follows: Abraham, who w!u> killed 
by the bursting of a cannon .luly 4, 1834;Chloe, 
a twin sister, became the wife of Isaac Benham, 
and resides at Constantine. St. .loseph Counlv: 



Hiram is living in Sturgis, this county ; Thomas was 
married and died at Centreville. same county, at 
the age of twenty-five years; William, likewise mar- 
ried, died in Xorwalk, Ohio; he had been in Florida 
several years on account of his health, and while 
there was correspondent for the New York Tribune. 
Toledo Blade and Norwalk Reflector; the next was 
Dennis, who is a farmer in Laiieer County, Mich.; 
Laura, who was the fir.st born, died in infancy, and 
the youngest of the family was our subject. 

By the death of his father. R. E. Case lost 
the paternal care and guidance at a \'ery early age, 
but the place was filled by his stepfather, Mr. Blair, 
who brought up the familj- as his own, and was 
loved and respected by all the children as a real 
parent. Our subject was mainly reared by an uncle, 
Abraham Case, of Norwalk, Ohio, with whom he 
lived until he was eighteen years of age. He then 
came to this county, and at Centreville leanied the 
trade of saddlery and harness-maker, and afterward 
carried on that business there for five years, also 
having in connection therewith a drug business. 

In 1851 Mr. Case removed to Three Rivers, and 
engaged in the harness and mercantile business, 
which he carried on until 1857. During the hist two 
years of that time he also carried on a farm in 
Lockport Township, which he hail bought. In the 
year named he disposed of his harness and mercan- 
tile business and removed to Constantiue. where he 
again engaged in merc:mtile pursuits. In 1861 he 
was appointed Postmaster under the administration 
of President Lincoln, but resigned the position in 
1864 .and returned to Three Rivers, where he 
bought a livery business, which, however, he dis- 
po.^ed of in a year, it not being congenial to him. 
He then engaged in real-estate and insurance busi- 
ness, and in 187^ became the proprietor and editor 
of the News Reporter, and h.as reuLtined there ever 
since, conducting both branches of business named. 
In 1883 Mr. Case was appointed a member of the 
Board of Control of the. State Public .Schools, wliich 
position he filled for six years, his term expiring 
Jan. 1. 1H81I. 

In M.ay. 1849. Mr. Case was married to Laura 
Hewings. a native of Ashtabula County. Ohio, 
where she was l.K)rn in 1826. Their union has been 
blessed with six children, three of whom are de- 






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ST. .lOSEPlI COUNTY. 



r)3i i A 



I'l'.iseil: Lydiii diifl jii llie nire of twelve j'oars; 
OiiU'ii \V., in cliildluxxl. .and an infant died at 
liirlli. 'I'lic survivors aro: Hoxio M.. wife of !•". .1. 
Si'lden. now living in Kansas City. Mo.; Frank 15., 
married to Minnie llauii. is a lawyer in Kansas 
City, and Fred II. is a |)0'ital-route aijent between 
(ir.'ind Rapids ami I-Ukliart. and is assoeiated with 
his father in the |)ulilication of the Xewa Reporter. 

Mr. C'juse lias heen a inenilier of the Town Coiin- 
eil of Three Rivers, an<l a member of the Seliool 
Board. He is also a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, havinj^ joined in \H'<\. He beloniis to Three 
Rivers Lod<;e Xo. .")2. F. it .V. .M., and is one of 
the three oldest members of that body. 

The Xeirs 7?c/*'ir?<>r. of which Mr. Case is editor, is 
the oldest (Jreenliaek paper now pulilislied in the 
I'liited States. .Since he ha.s taken it in hand it 
has been doubleil in size and more tlian dt)uliled 
in its subseription list. It is a bright, newsy, local 
sheet, and is a favorite with the [people of the 
county, where it exercises a wide iiitluencc in the 
field it essays to fill. Mr. Case bears among the 
people with whom he has so long lived the reputa- 
tion of an upright man and good citizen. 



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-Er- 



^^^KOUGK \V. .MII.LKR. The home of this 
||j (=1 gentleman and his estimable wife, remarka- 
^^^^ bty ph-asant in its appointments and .sur- 
rt)undings. but ri-tlects the spirit of its inmates, peo- 
ple remarkable for their genial cordiality, which, 
extended tf> frienil and stranger alike, is indicative 
of the l.iest birth and breinling. Mr. .Miller came 
to this section of country in the spring of 1K64, 
and h.'Ls be<'n mostly engaged in agricultur:d pur- 
suits all his life, although for a time |)rior to his 
advent in this county he followed blacksmithing. 
.\ knowledge of this trade has been of great benefit 
to him in connection with his farm labors, and the 
home repairing of his farm machinery enabling him 
to prevent fre<pienlly an outlay of a gfMxl many- 
dollars. 

Mr. Miller, ujxjn coming to .Si. .loseph County, 
settled at once in Constanline Township, on the 
land which he now owns and occupies. Here he 
has 160 acres with good improvements, a substan- 



tial brick dwelling, a gotnl barn and other out- 
buildings, fruit and shade trees, live stock, and the 
machinery ne<'cssary for prosecuting his c:dling in 
a conifoi'table manner, .\ltliougli a man attending 
strictly to his own concerns, he has never refused 
to be of service to his fellow-citizens when called 
ujHin. although he has usually avoided lieconiingan 
oHice-holder. He votes the straight Republican 
ticket, and with his estimable wife is a member in 
gftod standing of the Methodist Kpiscopal Church, 
of which he is, and has for many yejirs, been Trus- 
tee, .Slewanl and Cl.nss-Leader. 

A native of Berkeley County, (now West) \'a., 
our subject was born Oct. 22, 1S21, and is the son 
of .\ndrcw and Charlotte (Snyder) Miller, the for- 
mer a native of .Maryland, and the latter of the 
Old Dominion. The parents commenced their 
wedded life together in Berkeley County, Va.. then 
removeil to Ohio, but finally decide<l to cast their 
lot among the pioneers of Southern Michigan. 
They settled in Constantine Township in the fall of 
18()4, where the father carried on farming with fair 
success until quite well advanced in years. He de- 
parted hence .Ian. 2il. IHH:?. The mother survived 
her husband a period of live years, and died March 
6, 1888, near the old homestead. Their family in- 
clu<led eight children, five of whom are living, four 
make their homes in this county-, and one. Daniel, 
lives in .Sandusky County, Ohio. George W., our 
subject, was the third child. 

Mr. >nilcr w.as a child of one year when he was 
taken by his jmrents from his native State to Perry 
County. Ohio. Not being satisfied with their sur- 
roundings in that region, they removed, first to 
Seneca County, and then to Sandusky County. 
They finally returneil to Seneca County, where 
they lived until coming to .Michigan. Oeorge \V., 
our subject, was first married, in Sandusky County, 
to Miss Susanna M'alter. who w.as born in I'nion 
County, Pa., and moved to Ohio with her parents 
when quite young. Of her union with our subject 
there were born six chihiren. and the wife and 
mother passed away in the fall of 18(M. less than a 
year after their removal to this county. Their 
eldest son. Levi, makes his home in Constantine 
Township; Harvey died when about fifteen years 
of age, and Kmily when a child of six years; CaUi- 



!?^ri--^ 



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532 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



erinc is the wife of .lolin (lentzler, of Florence 
Township; .loiin is oeeii|)ie(l in fiirminsr. and lives 
not far from the old homestead; I'eter died in 
infancy. 

Our subject, in the early jwrt of IMIi.J, returned 
to Seneca County, Oliio, and was there married a 
second time. January 12 of the same j'ear, to Mrs. 
Matilda (llartman) Horner. daui>rhter of Samuel 
and Mary (Haker) llartman, and widow of .Jerry 
lloiner. Mr. Horner was a tailor Iiy occupation, 
and died in Seneca County, Sejjt. 2!), 1863. Of 
this marriage there were horn five children, the 
eldest of whom, a daughter, Frances, is the wife of 
W. J. Ensrlcman, of Constantine Township; George 
died when a lad of seven years; Joseph is a resi- 
dent of Leadville, Col., where Samuel also lives, 
and Amanda E. died when an infant of sixteen 
months. 

Mrs. Matilda Miller was born in Snyder County, 
Pa.. Sept. 14, 1833. Her parents were natives of 
Pennsylvania, and are now both deceased. Of tliis 
latter unit)n there have been no cliildren. Mrs. 
Miller is a lady looking well to the ways of her 
household, m.aking her home pleasant, not only to 
her family, but the stranger who may happen 
within their gates. 



BENEZER OSBORN. The name of this 
^ worthy pioneer, who is now deceased, de- 
ka^ serves honorable mention among the earl}- 
settlers of St. Joseph County. He came to this 
region when a j'oung man from New York State, 
where he was born on Aug. 10, 1822. He took 
up a tract of land on section 21, in Flowerfield 
Townsiiip, opening up a good farm of eight}' acres 
near which the village of Ilownrdsville afterward 
sprang up. He battled with the dilliculties incident 
to that time, and after making a good record de- 
parted this life at the homestead which he had built 
up. Feb. 11. 1887. 

Mr. Osborn was married at Three Rivers, after 
coming to this county, July 1 0, 1 862, to Miss Nancy 
Clark, who passed away prior to the decease of her 
husband, her death taking place at the old farm, 
June 21.1 884. They were the parents of two sons : 



Charles, the elder, was born April 13. 1863. and 
was reared upon a farm, becoming familiar with its 
various employments an<l receiving his education 
in the common school. Frank, the }'ounger son, 
also grew up on the farm, and upon reaching man- 
hood was married at Buchanan, Bei-rien Count}', this 
.State, to Miss Fannie Cave. This lady was born in 
Marcellus Township. Cass Count}', the 9th of Sep- 
tember. 1867, and is the daughter of John L. an<l 
LucinaCave. Her father was a native of England, 
whence he emigrated to the United States early in 
life. He came to Cass County during its early 
settlement, antl after opening up a good farm spent 
the latter years of his life in prosperity and quiet. 
Mrs. Cave was born at Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and is 
still living, making her home in Lamoni, Iowa. Be- 
sides Mrs. Osborn there are three other daughters: 
Addie, the wife of Is.aac Judson, of Covert; Nettie 
and Jessie, who live with tiieir mother in Iowa. 
Both the Cave and Osborn families represent the 
better element of society, being people well-to-do 
and of good standing among their neighbors. 

AVH) KNOX. Three Rivers contains some 
)j very able "legal lights," and prominent 
among them as a lawyer, orator and gen- 
tleman, stands David Knox, a native of 
Michigan, and born in Sturgis Township, this 
county, Feb. 26, 1848. It will thus be seen he is 
in the very prime of life, .and his career thus far 
has been signalized by ability and success. 

David Knox, Sr., the father of our subject, w.as 
a native of New Yt)rk St.ate, and departed this life 
at his home in September, 1886. He migrated to 
Detroit from Seneca County, N. Y., as early as 
1822, and to Michigan Territory ten years later, 
locating in Sturgis Township, where he followed 
agricultural pursuits in connection with officiating 
as minister of the ^rethodist Church, and became 
owner of a good farm pro[)erty. The mother, Mrs, 
Thir/.a (Jacobs) Knox, was also a native of the 
Empire Stnte. and the daughter of Benjamin Ja- 
cobs. The parental household included seven chil- 
dren, three sons and four daughters, David being 
the fourth child. He spent his boyhood largely in 




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■•^HK-* 



ST. .lOSKI'H COUNTY. 



53:5 



attendaiu-e at tlie distriot scIkkjI. and later was a 
student in the I'nion Scliool at Stiirjfis. lie finally' 
entered AlMon College, from wliicli lie was trradu- 
ated in IMIili. We next liiid liini !L« a teaelier in 
the I'nion School wliere lie liad foinu'ily lieen a 
pupil. 

Mr. ivnox entere<l upun the studv i>f law in the 
otliee uf William .Sadler, at Cenlreville, and wa.s 
afterward a.-:.-i(iciateil with ( ). F. IJenn. of Three 
Ixivers. lie \va.< admitted to the bar in 1872. and 
at onee oi»ned an ofllee for the praetice of his pro- 
fe.<sion at Three Rivers, of which he ha.< since con- 
tinued a resident. In connection with, his leiral 
business he operates as a real-estate dealer and 
money loaner. and fi'oni the three I'nniliincd enjo^'S 
a comforlalile income. 

The family of our subject comprises an intelli- 
jjent wife and three inteivstiiii; children, the latter 
name<l resiK'ctively: Stuart K.. .Airnes I., and Kd- 
ward Moore. The maiden name of his wife was 
T,oni.<e Kelsey, and their marriage w.ns celebrated 
at Three Rivers, in .Inne. 1M7H. .Mrs. Knox is the 
daughter of Stephen Kelsey, Esq., a well-known 
resident of this county, and of an excellent family. 

Mr. Knox keeps himself well inforni<Ml in regaril 
to matters of general interest, and uniformly votes 
the Repul)lican ticket. lie has always been inter- 
ested in the prc>niotion of education, and for the 
past eight j-ears has served as Trustee of Albion 
College. He has held some of the minor otiices, 
but is not ambitious of honors in this line. He is 
a Knight Templar of the Masonic fraternity, be- 
longing to Lodge No. ;")". and Comnnindery No. 
2".i, at Three Rivers. As the agent for the Free 
Will Ha ptist .societies for this vicinity lie has charge 
of large amounts of money devoted to the cjiuse, 
and in this, as in other positions of trust and re- 
sfMjnsibility, has acquitted himse^ as an honest man 
and a good citizen. 

^ OUTHARI) CHAl'lN. one of the most iu- 
^^ telligenl and [)ublic-spiriled men of Not- 
tawa Township, owns and occupies a snug 
home at Prairie Corners, Nottawa Town- 
ship, and which is pleasantly located on section 3. 




Until the fall of 1H81 he carried on farming quite 
extensively on 2II0 acres of land in I5urr Oak 
Township, which he cleared and upon which he 
erected a fine set of frame buihiings. He disposed 
of the greater iiorliou of this about the time of his 
removal. 

A native of Granville. Washington Co., N. Y., 
our subject was born March 12, 1 822, and was but 
fourteen years of age when he came to this county 
will) his parents. He lived with them in .Sherman 
Township until his marriage, which took place at 
the home of the bride in that township, Sept. 1, 
1844. The maiden of his choice, .Miss Ro/.illa Mc- 
Cloud, was born in Darby Township, Madison Co., 
Ohio, Aug. 22, 1825. 

The parents of our subject, David and Collie 
(Rurcli) Chapin, were natives respectively of Ver- 
mont ami Dutchess County, N. Y. The father mi- 
grated from the Green Miiuntnin .State earl}' in life, 
and was married to Miss Burcli in the Empire State. 
They settled in Granville, but later removed to 
Livingston County, and from there in .lune, 18.'Jt!, 
came to the Territory of Michigan and located in 
Sherman Tow-nship. The fallier put up the third 
house within its limits and on section 10. He im- 
proved a farm from the wilderness, and there both 
parents spent the remainder of their lives. They 
had four children, three s<jns and one daughter. 

Charles McCloud, the father of Mrs. Chapin, was 
born in Vermont, and married Miss Mary Patlec, a 
native of Massachusetts. The}' began the journey 
of life together in Darby Township, Madison Co., 
Ohio. Upon leaving the Buckeye State they came 
to Michigan, settling first in the vicinity of Browns- 
town, Wayne County, and from there came to this 
county in 18:i5, while .Michigan was still a Terri- 
tory, locating on a wild tract of land just north of 
the present site of Nottawa. Mr. McCloud built up 
a good farm, but later relumed to Ohio to live with 
his chihiren, and died in .Madison County. The 
mother later came back to this county, and died at 
the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Chapin, in Sher- 
man Township, ihey were the parents of three 
daughters, of whom .Mrs. Chapin was the eldest, and 
the only one living lo mature years. To our sub- 
jcct and his estimable wife there have been born 
six children. The eldest daughter, Dyelsa, is the 



h 




534 



ST. .lOSKPH COUNTY. 



wife of William C. Hofcr, of Goshen. Iml.; Aiiel- 
pliia, Mrs. F. .1. Lang, lives in Minneapolis, Minn.; 
Eineline married Mr. A. T. Mann, and died in 
Hutchinson Count3', Dak., in Ma}', 1887; Alice, 
Mrs. Charles Simpson, lives in California; of Will- 
iam P. a sketch will be found elsewhere in this vol- 
ume. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cimpin have been members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church a period of thirt}' 
years, contributing liberally and cheerfully to its 
sup|)ort, and laboring as they have had opportunity 
in the cause of Christianity. Mr. Chapin cast his 
first Presidential vote for Henry Clay, and is an 
ardent supporter of Republican principles. 



if ASON HORTOX HUYLAR h.is been for the 
past thirty 3'ears a resi<lent of Three Rivers, 
St. Joseph Co., .Mich., and prominently iden- 
tified with its business interests. He was 
born in New Brunswick, N. .1., Feb. 23, 1825. His 
ancestors were of Dutch and Knglish extraction, his 
paternal grandfather, William Huylar, coming from 
Holland and settling in New Brunswick, N. J., where 
he successfully carried on the business of a baker 
until his death. His wife (lertrude survived him 
many years, dying at the extreme age of ninety- 
seven. On the materna! side our subject's ancestors, 
of English lineage, were for manj- generations resi- 
dents of the eastern end of Long Island, N. Y., set- 
tling near Southold over 225 years ago. The first 
of the family to come to America was Barnabas 
Horton, and the house which he built about 225 
years since stood until si.x years ago, when it was 
demolished to give place to a more modern struc- 
ture, at which time there was present a large gath- 
ering of his descendants. The house being the old- 
est on Eastern Long Island, its demolition excited 
great interest and was much commented on bj' the 
press. 

William and Gertrude Ilu^dar were the parents 
of a numerous family, numbering in all twentj'-four 
children, all now deceasecL Their son Adam was 
the father of J.ason II., and was born in New Bruns- 
wick in 1779, and died March 7, 1847, in his sixty- 
ninth year. He followed the occupation of his 



father, and carried on baking in the citj- of New 
York, afterward removing to Key Port, N. .1., wliere 
he died. He was a man of good character, indus- 
trious and sober, alwaj's in comfortable circum- 
stances, but never accumulating much wealth. He 
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss 
Vanderbilt. a relative of the ancestors of that now 
famous family. She died in 1816, leaving six chil- 
dren: Gertrude, William, Abraham, Charles, and 
an infant unname<l, all now deceased. The only 
survivor is John Vanderbilt Hujdar, a farmer near 
Battle Creek, Mich. 

The second wife of Adam Hujdar was Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Denniston, widow of John Denniston, and 
daughter of Jason and Mary Horton. Her father 
was a man of exemplary chariicter and of great 
piety, a conscientious, consistent and sincere Chris- 
tian, beloved and respected bj" all who knew him. 
He is held in such veneration liy his descendants 
that in every family tracing its descent from him 
one of the sons is named Jason Horton. His daugh- 
ter Elizabeth was born in Mendliam. N. J., in 17!tl, 
and attained a great age, dying in her ninet3-third 
j-ear. B3' her marriage with John Denniston she 
had four children, three of whom are now living. 
She was a woman of positive character, who im- 
pressed her personalit}- on her children, who in a 
great degree inherited her characteristics. B3' her 
marri.age with Mr. Huylar she had seven children, 
as follows: Elizabeth F., who was the wife of Hiram 
Allen, of Newark, N. J., and both now dece.ised; 
Adam is a dealer in s.ash and blinds at Ke3' Port, N. 
J. ; .Mary died in childhood; J.ason Horton w.is next 
in order of birth; then Isaac W., who died in child- 
hood; Edward P., a well-known ph3-sician, was the 
originator and proprietor of the celebrated rcmed3' 
known as "Clark Johnson's Indian Blood Syrup," 
and died in New York City, Aug. 11,1888, after 
accumulating a large fortune. The youngest, Mar3' 
Voorhees, died in childhood. The subject .of this 
sketch received his education in the public schools 
of the city of New York, and early began to 
work at the business of marble cutting. His first 
venture on his own account was in Ive3- Port, N. J., 
in 1855, at which lime he established a shop there. 
Three 3"ears later he determined to Irv his fortunes ^ 



■» II <• 



■» 11 ^ 



ST. JOhEPH COUNTY. 



53r> 



in the j'ounj; and growinj State of Michigan, and 
ri'niovpd to Stuifjis. St. .Joseph County. There he 
st:ii(l hut a year and a half, when he removed to 
Three Rivers, where the balance of his life has been 
passed, and where he built up a lucrative trade, and 
acquired the repiiintion of a thorough-going, enter- 
prisin<r and upright business man. 

On May 20, IH-IU. Mr. Iluylar was married to 
Sarah C. Uansom. daughter of Pliisha and Catii 
Ransom, of Riverton. Conn. She was liorn in 
Hartfiird. Conn., in 1H27. her ancestors being early 
residents of that .'^(ate. in which both her parents 
were born. Mr. and Airs. Iluylar have ha>) five 
children, three of whom are deceased. CullierineL. 
died at the age of eleven, Charles Edwin in his third 
year, and Lillian Ransom in the sixth year of her 
age. The survivors are : Mary E., wife of Dr. Will- 
iam II. Kestler,a proniinentdentistof Detroit.Micb., 
and Allen llurton, who is his father's successor in 
business in Three Rivers. 

In 1H(^6 Mr. Iluylar gave up active business, 
turning it over to his son, but still takes a warm 
interest in the success of the business which he 
founded. He is now enjoying the fruits of a life 
of well-directed effort, and .is the architect of his 
own fortunes can t^ike a ju>t pride in the success 
which has resulted from a life of industry and pro- 
bity. He enjoys in a marked degree the respect 
and confidence of the comniunil}' among whom so 
manj' years of his life have been passed, and who 
appreciate the sterling qualities of the man and citi- 
zen. Mr. Iluylar lakes a considerable part in the 
affairs of the town. He has been a member of the 
Council several limes, is a director in the Three 
Rivers Nalinnnl Hank, a member of the .Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and in every way a useful and 
desirable member of society. 



r 



OEIX)X CREVLINfi. The family of which 
' this gentleman is the he.ad is considered one 
of the finest in St. .loseph C«>unty. He 

came within its bonlers during the pioneer days, 
and assisted in the struggles of its carl}' develop- 
ment, contributing to its prosperity his strength 
and bis capiUil, and he has an ample reward in the 
4« 



esteem and confidence with which he is universally- 
regarded by its people. A man of property and 
infiuence. he has been chief among those rearing the 
standard of morality and virtue, while in financial 
circles his standing and repuUition are unimpeach- 
able. 

John Crevling, the father of our subject, was a 
native of Easton, N. J., and upon migrating 
to New York Slate during the early j'ears of his 
manhood settleil in Columbia County, Pa., with his 
parents. He was content, like his father before 
him, to *ake up the()ccupation of agriculture, which 
he followed all his life. He spent his last days in 
Columbia County. I'a.. dying there Aug. 27, 1«27, 
at the age of fifty-five years, five months and sev- 
enteen day.s. He was born March 10, 1772. 

Mr. Crevling, .Sr., the paternal grandfather of 
our subject, spent the early years of his life in Eas- 
ton, N. J. Thence he removed to Columbia County. 
Pa., settling near the village of Espey (hiring its 
pioneer days. He also pursued farming, and died in 
Columbia County at a ripe <»ld age. His son .b)hn 
was born in 1772, and upon reaching manhoixl mar- 
ried Charitj- Moore, of Ct>lumbia County, Pa., and 
they became the parents of nine children, six sons and 
three daugliteis. Of these Nelson, of our sketch, 
was the youngest child. He was born on the old 
homestead near Esp3', Columbia Co., Pa.. Feb. II, 
1H17. This pro|)erty lay about midway between 
Bloomsburg and Espy, and was consequently quite 
valuable. 

The common scliool supplied for our subject his 
early educatioi), and he remainetl a resilient of his 
native county until a young man thirty years of 
age, when he determined lo seek his fortune among 
the pioneers of Michigan. We find him within the 
boumls of Lockpori Town.sjiip, this county, in 
October. lM4a, he locating first on section 5, where 
he purchased 160 acres of lanil from William Eck. 
He improveil the greater part of this, beginning 
from first principles, as there were neither biiilil- 
ings nor fences upon it. Two years later, however, 
he sold out and purchased on another part of the 
same section. He now has a fine farm of ;52."( acres, 
lying one and one-half miles from the village of 
Three Rivers. This has been brought to a high 
state of cultivation, and is supplied with modern 



-h 



4*- 



53C 



,t 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



farm buildings, a goodly- assorlmtMit of live stock, 
the latest improved machinery, and all the facilities 
necessary to the success of the modern agriculturist. 

Our subject was wedded in his native county, 
Jan. IG. 1840, to Miss Phehe. daughter of Joseph 
and Mar3- (Rittenhouse) Eck. Mi's. Crevling was 
the sixth child of her parents, and first opened her 
eyes to the ligiit Jul}' 29. 1817. There came to the 
household of Mr. and Mrs. Crevling ten children, 
seven of whom are living. Albert J. died at the 
home of his parents in Lockport Township, at the 
age of twenty-three j'ears; James H. died when an 
infant of eighteen months; Mary C. is the wife of 
Samuel Nye,andthej' reside inThree Rivers; Martha 
A. is living with her parents at the old homestead; 
Harriet, Mrs. John Hawkins, died at her home near 
Constantine. Oct. 14, 1888; John F. is unmarried and 
living at home with his parents; William E. is a 
well-to-do farmer of Jlilcliell County, Kan.; Anna 
M. is the wife of Martin Robbins, of Three Rivers; 
Delilah, Mrs. Harry Cation, lives witii her husband 
on a farm in White Pigeon Township; Joseph Nel- 
son continues a member of the parental household. 

Joseph and Mar^' Eck. the parents of Mrs. Crev- 
ling, were natives of Chester County and Phila- 
delphia, Pa., respectivel}-, but s|>ent their last days 
in Berwick, Columbia County. Mr. Eck reached 
his fourscore years, and his excellent wife had 
nearly approached that age at the lime of her death. 
They were the parents of eight children, three .sons 
and five daughters, four of whom are living: Will- 
iam R. is a resilient of Colon, this count}'; Eliza 
continues at the old home in Berwick, Columbia 
Co., Pa., of whicii siie is the owner; Amelia is the 
wife of Archibald Henry, and lives in Mitchell 
County, Kan., on a farm three miles from Heloit. 
The paternal grandfather was a soldier in the War 
of 1812. 

Our subject and his estimable wife have been 
members in good standing of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church at Three Rivers since 1850. Politically, 
Mr. C. was first identified with the old Whig i)arty, 
and cast his first vote for Oen. Harrison, in 1840. 
Upon the abandonment of the old p;u-ty lie allied 
himself with the Republicans, and voted for the 
grandson of -Old Tippecanoe" in the fall of 1.S88. 

Joiui Crevling, a brotherof oursuliject, was born 




Oct. 22, 1810, and is a prosperous farmer, owning a 
good property in the vicinity of Ashland County. 
Ohio. Jonathan, born June 26, 1«03. died Jan. 20. 
1807, when about three j-ears of age. A younger 
one. Jared, born Jan. 24, 1813, died in Columbia 
County, Pa., March 14, 182C. when a promising lad 
of thirteen years. The other brothers and sisters 
of our subject are named as follows : Martha, born 
Feb. 1, 17'jy, died Dee. 2. 1853; Margrett. born 
Dec. 17, 1801, died Nov. 17, 1840; Andrew, born 
Jan. 22. 1806; Moore, May 6, 1808; Delilah, Nov. 
4, 1814. Our subject's mother was born Dec. 1, 
1773, in Chester County. Pa. .She was marrie<l Dec. 
17, 1797, in Columbia County, Pa., and died July 
12, 1858. 

■ : > :@: < l ' 

ANIEL FRANCISCO, deceased, was a well- 
known resident of Three Rivers. St. Jo- 
seph Co.. Mich., the story of whose life is 
full of encouragement to boys who have to 
make their own way in the world under dillicultics. 
He was in every sense of the word a self-made man. 
He was born June 4, 1817, in Rensselaer County, 
N. Y. His mother died when he w.asbut fouryears 
old. and the death of his father two years later left 
him ;done in the world, and dependent even at that 
lender age on his own exertions. He was bound 
out at the age of seven to a man named Erastus 
Green, the bargain being that he should have at 
least three months' schooling eveiy year. Green was 
a severe taskmaster, and young Francisco was com- 
pelled to work early and late, and was never sent 
to school, except for three monllis in the first year, 
it being all the schooling he ever received. He re- 
mained will! (Jreen until his eleventh year, when he 
ran away from him, working out by the day. month 
or year as he could secure euiployment. In this 
way several years were passed, and when he 
was about twenty -one years of .age he, in company 
with H man named Ira B. Gage, bought a threshing- 
machine, with which they made some money, giv- 
ing him his first real start. About the time he 
entered into tin's business he was married. With 
the money he made by the thresher he bought sume 
land on contiacl, paying a part down. His kind- 
heartedness led him to sign notes for a friend, and 




ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



537 



having lo |)ny tliem lie was unable to make the pny- 
niciits on his land, anri be lost it, leaving him again 
with but a sniali c:i|iit:i!. 

In I'timpiiny with bis wift-'s p.-iionls, two of 
her unmarried brothers and two sisters, Mr. Fran- 
cisco and his little family, consisting of wife and 
four children, started overland for Michigan. The 
parly ha<l three wagons, e.ach drawn by a span of 
horses. Of these one fiiitflt belonged to Mr. Fran- 
cisco, which, Willi a small sum of monej-, was all his 
worldly wealth. They stopped first in Lenawee 
County. Mich., where be enU-ied IGO acres of land. 
The necessary expenses of travel and entering this 
land made serious inroads on his limited capitiil. 
Not liking tlwit pnrt of llic country, because of its 
wild and unsettled condition, the party deci<lcd to 
go further South. This was partly due to letters 
they had rectived from relatives of Mr. Francisco, 
who were settled in St. .loseph County. Coming to 
this county they located five miles northwest of 
Constaiitine, on what is now known as the Slierrick 
farm. Here the entire part}- live<l in a two-story 
log house until the following spring, when Mr. 
Francisco bought an 80-acre farm hsilf way between 
Three Rivers and Ceiitreville, on which he lived 
until his removal to the former place, in the fall of 
18UtS. to the house now occupied by his widow, in 
which the remainder of his life was passed. His 
death occurred Feb. 7, I SS.'J, in his sixty-sixth year. 
At the time of his death .Mr. Francisco owned G(J7 
acres of land in St. Joseph County. The land in 
Lenawee County he had sold for a slight advance. 
He was also the owner of properly in Three Rivers, 
besiiles a cmisiderable amount of personal proiierty. 
All this lie acquired b}' his own labor, thrifty hab- 
its, and the exercise of comimm sense in all his 
business transactions. WliMe living on his farm he 
engaged largely in the growing of peppermint, being 
at one time the largest mint grower in the West. 
This W!us one of his gre^itest successes, and helped 
largely in making the liberal com|>etence which he 
acquireil. 

Mr. Francisco was twice innrrieil, first while a 
resident of New York, to Hester Maria Wager, born 
in that Suite July 18. I SI 'J. Their union was cele- 
brated Nov. U. |M37. and she accompanied him lo 
this StaU', and died here June 23. 1848. They 

4* 



had five children, as follows: Charles Oscar, born 
Sept. G, 1838, is married, and is a resident of Three 
Rivers; Mary Kmma is the wife of Nathan H. Cary, 
a farmer in Lockpoil Township, this couiily; Dud- 
ley H., of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this 
volume; Margaret A., wife of Capt, I). M. Hicks, 
of Three Rivers, residing in Minneapolis, Minn. ; 
anil Hester JL, who died in infancy. 

In 1848 Mr. Francisco was married to Miss 
Hannah Ryder, a native of the Slate of New York. 
They had three sons, the eldest of whom died when 
eighteen months old; William Byron, born Oct. I), 
1852, is married to Miss Ella Knapp. and has two 
children. Gracie and Frank; and lives in Three 
Rivers; Frank E.. born July 1.5, 18G0, is married 
lo Miss Nellie Clapp, and is a resilient of Jackson, 
Mich. 

After removing to Three Rivers, as soon as his 
bojs became of age Mr. Francisco put each of them 
on a farm, keeping, however, a general oversight of 
the work himself, and willing the properties to them 
on his death. 

After coming to Three Rivers Jlr. Francisco en- 
gaged first in the banking and brokerage, then in 
loaning money for E»stern capitalists, which he con- 
tinued until a few years before his death. He look 
considerable interest in public affairs, was a member 
of the Council, and President of the \'illage Boaril. 
He was greatly iiiteresled in educatiunal mailers, 
and for inure than twenty years was a member of 
the .School Hoard. He w.is a consistent ineinbcr of 
the Presbyterian Church, and was liberal in its sup- 
port. He was noted for his kindness and benevo- 
lence of heart, was a kind husband niid faillifiil 
father, and his death was regretted by every person 
who had ever known him. 



*|H^H 



ON. RCSSEL I{. I'EALEH. one of the 
rjj' prominent citizens of St. .loseph County, 
wa3^)orn in (Ireenwood Township. Colum- 
bia Co., Pa., Jan. 1, 1842, his parents being 
George and Rebecca (Hampton) Pcalcr, likewise 
natives of that count}'. On the paleriinl side the 
family is of (Jermaii lineage, the graiulfathcr being 
named Pealer and ihe gniiidmolher Kouder. 



i 



,. ..„ • 



t 538 



.t 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



llie maternal side the famil.v is of English descent, 
coming from llie Hampton and Hopliins stock, early 
and well-known settlers in Columbia Count3'. The 
father of the subject of this sketch, George Pealer, | 
was born Aug. 13, IS18. and is .yet living in his 
native county. He has been a farmer and lumber- 
man all of his life, and is living on the farm which 
has been his residence for over forty years. He has 
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
for man}' years, and has always been looked upon 
as an honest, upright man and a good citizen. In 
his political views he is an ardent Republican. 

Mr. Pealer has been twice married, first in 1841 
to Miss Rebecca B. Hami)ton, who died in 1876, 
aged fifty-two; she was the mother of eight chil- 
dren, but three of whom are now living. Those 
deceased were: Mary A. who was the wife of Wes- 
ley Auten, and died near Freilericktown, Ohio; 
Clarinda S. died in girlhood; Daniel Webster, at 
the age of seven; Alvarctta also died young, and 
likewise an unnamed infant. The survivors are: 
William O., partner of our subject, in Three Rivers; 
Matilda is the wife of Clarence Price, of Danville. 
Pa.; our subject was the eldest of the family. Of 
the second marri.ige of Mr. Pealer there is no issue. 

Russel R. Pealer was brought up on a farm, at- 
tending tlie common school, as farmers' boys do. 
In Feliruary, 1859, he began attending the JNew 
Columbus Normal School in Luzerne County. Pa., 
where he remained until the following winter, when 
he returned to his home and taught school for the 
term. The next year he returned to Columbus and 
the following winter again taught school. The fol- 
lowing spring he was made Priuci|)al of the High 
School at Light Street, in his native county-, and in 
the ftillowing fall went to New .Jersey, New York 
and other places, to recruit his health, which was 
somewhat impaireil by close study. On his return 
he attended the High School again, and was prepar- 
ing to enter the Albany Law .School, having decided 
on the law as the profession to which he would de- 
vote his life work. He had inherited from his 
mother a love for education and reading, which she 
wisely encouraged, and to her is due the fact that 
our sul)jeet acquired a fine education. 

On the 'Jth of .September, 18G2, Mr. Pealer of- 
fered his services lo his country, anil enlisted in 

<■ 



Company E. ICtli Pennsylvania Cavalry, known as 
'•Gregg's Cavalry." He serve<l until Aug. 11. IHG.j, 
and during this time was repeatedly promoted for 
meritorious conduct, passing through all the griides 
to that of First Lieutenant, and wtis recommended 
for promotion to a Captaincy, but the close of the 
war stopped all further promotions. During this 
time he served in over tlurt^'-five battles an<l cav- 
alrj' engagements, com|)rising all of the great bat- 
tles fought by the heroic Army of the Potomac. 
On the 6th of Februarv. 1865. at Hatchers Run. Va., 
near Petersburg, while in command of a squadron 
and leading a charge on Pegram's division of Infan- 
try. Lieut. Pealer was wounded in tlie left thigh b^' 
a rifle ball, which was afierwanl extracted at Balti- 
more. Before his wound was healed he rejoined 
his regiment, so anxious was he to be with them. 
During his time in the hospital Mr. Pealer studied 
surve3'ing and engineering, which he afterward put 
to good account in securing means to continue his 
law studies. 

On our subject's return to his home he again began 
the study of the law, entering the otfle-e of Robert F. 
Clark at Blooinsburg. Pa., where he spent two years, 
and was there admitted to the bar Sept. 3, 1867. 
and a short time after came to Three Rivers, decided 
to make it his home, returned to Pennsj-lvania, 
and bringing his wife, settled permanently in Three 
Rivers Nov. 12. 1867. The .January following he 
was admitted to the Michigan bar, and .at once en- 
gaged in the practice of his profession. 

A few years later Mr. Pealer was elected anc] re- 
elected Circuit Court Commissioner, and before the 
expiration of his last term was appointed Prosecut- 
ing Attornej'of the county, and afterward re-elected 
to that position. He declined a rcnomination to 
that office, and continued to practice until Jan. 1, 
1882, when he assumeil the position of Circuit 
Judge for the Fifteenth District, to which he had 
been elected the previous April. He served his full 
term of six years with great credit to himself and 
siitisfaction to his constituents, and his decisions 
while on the bench have always been regarded as 
sounil by the leg.nl fraternity of the district. 

In 1888 .Mr. Pealer resumed the i)ractlce of his 
profession in Three Rivers in company with bis 
brother William O., under the firm name of Pealer 




"♦- 



ST. .JOSEPH COUNTY. 



.■..i'J 



Bros., and the s.ame year was elcclpfl to represent 
his county in the State Legislature, beginning iiis 
services in that capacity in .January, 18^9. Tiie 
count\- liaH been for some years represented liy a 
Democrat, and Juilge Pealor was put in nomination 
for tlie purpose of overcoming that, as iiis reputa- 
tion led his friends to believe he could do it. The 
result justified their anticipations, he getting a ma- 
jority of over 200. thus changing the pitlitical com- 
plexion of the county. He has also held many 
minor offices, and l)eing particularly interested in 
educatii)nal matters served for many years on the 
School IJoard. 

Judge I'ealer has been three times married. His 
first wife, to whom he was married on the 'i.'ith of 
December, 18G.'>. was Miss Sallic A. Stevens, a na- 
tive of Luzerne County, Pa.; she died in Three 
Rivers. Mich.. Nov. G, 1871. By this marriage there 
were four children, two of whom. Nora Josephine 
and George .Stevens, died in childhood; the other 
two, Anna Geraldine and Mary A., are j'et under 
the parental roof. 

August 28. 1872, Jlr. Pealor was married to Miss 
Amanda Stevens, a sister to his first wife, but she 
too was called, death claiming her March 28, 1874. 
Judge Pcaler's present wife was Miss Sue F. Santee, 
to whom he was married April 15, 187.i. By the last 
two marriages there is no issue. Notwithstanding his 
busy public and profession.'il life Judge Pealer does 
not neglect its social stile. From his boj'hood he 
has been a consistent member of the Methodist 
Kpiscopril Church, and has taken an active part in 
its work. He ha.s held every official position, from 
Su|)erintendentof Sabbath-school to Delegate to the 
General Conference. He is a member of and at 
present Commander of lid M. Prutzuian Post No. 
72. G. A. R..anil belongs to the .^Lasonic fraternit}', 
being a member of Throe liivcrs Lodge No. 52. 
F. <fe A. M.; .Snialhiel Chapter No. 28, R. A., and 
•St. Joseph Valley Commandery No. 29. K. T. In 
politics he is. like his fatlier, an ardent Itepnblican, 
and his first vote was cast while in the army, in an 
open field in Virginia, for Abraham Lincoln. 

.Inilge Pealer is a living exemplification of our 

beneficent institutions and what can be accomplished 

unilcr Ihcm by well-directed effort and perscver- 

^ ance. .St.urting without anv social advantages, he 

•Ji-N — 



has .icquired an excellent literary and legal educa- 
tion; he has been called by his fellow-citizens to fill 
man}' positions of honor and responsibility, and has 
by their suffrages occupied the bench in one of the 
courts of his adopted State, and now represents the 
countrj' in the councils of the State. Just in the 
prime of life, with a large and lucrative practice, 
an unsullied reputation, the esteem of his fellow- 
men, with ap|)arently m'lny years of life before him, 
his future is undoubtedly bright, and his well-de- 
served success should serve as an incentive to every 
boy striving to elevate himself in the social scale, 
and to do work worthy of emulation. 



J^KVILl.o J. NKHOLS. .M. 1). This popu- 
jl lar physician and surgeon of Three Rivers 
^ located .at this point in March, 1877, and 
~ opened an office for the pr.acticeof his pro- 

fession, which he lias followed with flattering re- 
sults. Michigan is his native State, he having 
been born in Marengo. Calhoun County. .Sept. 4, 
1847. His father. Dr. A. S. Nichols, wa* one of 
the pioneers of the Badger .State, coming here from 
his native place, in Madison County, N. Y.. as early 
as 1844. He settled in Marengo with his little 
family, where they resided many years. The elder 
Nichols followed a successful jjr.ictice. and was 
called hence in 1874. During the period of his 
thirty years' residence in Michigan he distinguished 
himself as a most worthy and useful citizen, mak- 
ing a record which his children should be proud to 
look up<in. Of the latter, two in number, both are 
living, our subject being the elder. 

After leaving the primary school our subject 
entered Albion College, where he studiefl four 
years, fitting himself for the literary department of 
the .Michigan State University. This course ended 
he entered upon the study of medicine under the 
instruction of his father, and later returning to the 
university took a course in the meilieal depart- 
ment, whence he was gmduated with honors in 
1871. He commenced the practice of his profes- 
sion in Tekonsha. where he spent two years. Dur- 
ing this time he w.as unitc<l in marriage with Miss 
Alinda Randall, of that place. This lady was born 







■► ir^ 



=L, 



540 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



in April. 1847, in Tekonslm, and is the daugliterof 
Harvey Randall, a native of New York. After his 
marriaj^e Dr. Nichols took up iiis residence in Hills- 
dale, becoming the partner of U. T. Gill. Tliis 
partnership was dissolved in 1874, and Dr. Nichols 
then became associated with his brother-in-law, A. 
G. Randall, the3' operating together two years. 
Then being able to sell out to good advantage, 
Dr. Nichols changed the scene of his operations to 
Three Rivers, .and later formed a partnership with 
Dr. AV. E. Parker, with whom he is at present asso- 
ciatctl. 

To the Doctor and Mrs. Nichols there have 
been born three children, one living, a daughter, 
May L.. born Aug. 6. 1876. The^- occupy a ple.is.ant 
home in the southern i)art of the city, which is the 
frequent resort of its cultivated jjcople. Dr. Nichols 
meddles ver^- little with matters outside of liis pro- 
fession, but keeps himself well posted in regard to 
National affairs, and uniformly supports the prin- 
ciples of the Repulilic.an party. lie ha.s a well- 
equipped office on St. .loseph street, and numbers his 
patrons among the best element of Three Rivers. 



'VACS/^^^ — J>>s 



I?}— — SS5Wr2w»» 




^OHNCOX, retired inanufnctiirer and capi- 
talist of Three Rivers, was for many years 
one of its most active business men. His 
early home was in the southeastern corner of 
tlie Keystone State, he having been born in Bucks 
County. .July 17, 1821. His parents. Jonas and 
Elizabeti) (Larue) Cox, had a family of eight chil- 
dren, of wiiom John was the second eldest. The 
Cox family is of English ancestry, generallj' indus- 
trious, thrifty and well-to-do. The mother of our 
subject was of French extraction. 

The parents of our subject were both natives of 
Pennsylvania, and died when John was a lad of 
thirteen years. Thus left an orphan he was thrown 
early in life upon his own resources, while his 
brothers and sisters were taken into the homes of 
strangers. John worked upon the farm in summer 
and attended school in winter, but was thus enabled 
to pursue his studies onl}- a few months each j'ear. 
At the age of sixteen years he commenced an ap- 



prenticeship at the blacksmith trade, serving five 
years, and receiving only his board and clothes. 
Upon becoming a jnurneynian he took up his resi- 
dence in Trenton. N. J., where he acquired valuable 
knowledge as a machinist, and where he spent about 
six years. Thence he migrated South to the State 
of Georgia, and was emplo^-ed in the iron works of 
Cooper, Sprout & Wiley, where he spent two sum- 
mers and one winter. 

Our subject now returned to his native count}', 
which be left not long afterward in companj' with 
Cyrus Roberts, and tiiey repaired to Belleville. III., 
in the autumn of 1848, where they began on a 
small scale the manufacture of threshing-machines. 
They prosecuted this industry a period of eight 
years, building up quite an extensive business 
throughout the States of Illinois and Indiana. In 
1856 lliej' sold out. and our subject returned to 
Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1857. 

Mr. Cox now made his way to Michigan, where 
his friend Mr. Roberts h.ad prece<led him, and es- 
tablished himself once more as a manufacturer of 
threshing-machines. Later he associated himself 
with other parties, under the style of Roberts, Hibbs 
& Co.. and they for some j^ears carried on a thriv- 
ing and profitable business. In 1866 Mr. Cox with- 
drew. During this time the firm enjoj'ed a very 
successful patronage, and after a time combined 
with the thresher the separator, and put out one of 
the most complete machines of the day, upon which 
they realized a very large sale. 

Mr. Cox while a resident of Three Rivers was 
united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Hilcs, who was 
born in Danville, Pa., and came to Michigan with 
her parents. Of this union tliere were horn two 
children, and the mother died in 18G8. The elder 
son, Jiisper H., died at the parental home in Three 
Rivers, in tlie twentj'-fourth j'ear of his age. Charles 
W. makes his home witii his father, and is engaged 
as a clerk. Mrs. Cox w.as a devoted wife and 
mother, and a devout member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Her death was the occasion of 
great sorrow to her husband and a large circle of 
friends. 

Our subject identified himself with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in 1842, and for a period of 
forty-six j'ears has given cheerfully and liberally of 



-^^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



;"i41 



4 



his means to the support of religious find cfliicntional 
institutions. Politically, lie is a stanch Kepuhlican 
with prohibition tendencies, and has lived astrictlj' 
temperate life, using no stimulant in any form. He 
is a fine illustration of the self-made man, having 
begun his struggle with the world entirely depend- 
ent upon himself, and working upward through 
many ditliculties. His career has been one which 
he should look back upon with satisfaction, as he 
has succeeded where many have failed. 



,^g^ IIARLES RICE. Men gaze with admiration 
l( at the work of the builder and the architect, 

^^^J and sometimes give little thought to the 
genius and the training which must have been cm- 
ployed in the erection of the edifices upon whicl; 
the reputation of a city is largely dependent — as 
the coral insect, a little creature, seemingly insig- 
nifii^ant, rears a bulwark with which even the hand 
of man cannot compete. The beauty and the pros- 
perity of the cities of the United .States are depend- 
ent upon the architect, the contractor and the 
builder. In this department of th'j industrial world 
Mr. Uice has been an important factor, especially in 
this county'. 

The name of Charles Rice, buililer and con- 
tractor, is familiar to a large portion of the people of 
Three Rivers, among whom he has lived and labored 
for the last forty-two years. A native of New 
York, he w.is born in the town of Pittsfonl. near 
Rochester, Feb. 28, 1833. His father, Isaac Rice, 
was a native of Vermont, as also was his paternal 
grandfather. Charles Rice. Sr. The latter distin- 
guished himself as a soldier and a i)atriot in the 
Revolutionar}' War, and also the War of 1812, and 
for a nuniiier of years before his death received a 
pension from the Government. Charles Rice in 
early manhood was married, and he and his wife 
settled in I'iltsford, N. Y., where they lived until 
lH;t2. He then gathered together his family and 
household eftecl:* anci started for Michigan Terri- 
tory. The trip was made overland In wagons, and 
up<m their arrival in this county they located a 
truit of laiul on .lolinny Cake Prairie and opened 
up a farm, whifh was subsequently included in Fa- 



bius Township. Here Grandfather Rice lived and 
labored, succeeded in building up a comfortable 
homestead. and died at the advanced age of ninety- 
three years. He was the father of three sons and 
four daughters. 

Isaac Rice, the father of our subject, was reared 
to manhood in Monroe County, N. Y'., where he 
learned the trade of stonemason. Upon reaching 
man's estiite he was married to Jliss Maria, daugh- 
ter of Thoni.is Jones. Esq., who was a native of that 
county. He sojournetl in the Empire .Slate until 
1850, then joined the grandfather's family in this 
county and settled in Lockport Township, where 
he lived until 1870. The famil}' then returned 
eastward ns far a.s Ohio, where Isaac Rice was called 
hence in 1874. 

The uKjther of our subject died while a young 
woman, in New York State. Isaac Rice, after com- 
ing to this county, contracted a second marriage, 
with Miss Ovcrmeier. Of the first marriage there 
had been born three children, two sons and one 
daughter, of whom Charles, our subject, was the 
eldest. The others were Elizabeth and Malcom. Of 
the second marriage there were born five children, 
four sons and one daughter. Two of the children 
of Isaac Rice are living. 

The subject of this notice spent the earl}' years 
of his life in Monroe County, N. Y., he becoming 
familiar with farm pursuits and studying his lessons 
in the district school. When a lad thirteen years of 
age, in 1 846, he accompanied his uncle, Josei)li Rice, 
to this county, and thereafter "paddled his own 
canoe." He commenced learning the trade of stone- 
mason at the age of seventeen years, under the in- 
struction of Mr. Ilile. one of the pioneer ni.asons of 
this section. Upon attaining his majority' j'oung 
Rice began business on his own account as a con- 
tractor and builder, which business he hsis been en- 
gaged in, with the exception of a few years, up to 
the present time. It seemed a calling to which he 
was particularly adapted, ami in which he gained a 
large measure of success. 

After the outbreak of the Rebellion Mr. Uice en- 
tered the Union Arm}' .as a member of the band in 
the 11th Michigan Regiment, which was subse- 
quently <lisliandeil by oriler of the War Depart- 
ment. FHiling to serve his country in this capacity 



•> j k <• 



-4»- 



54-2 



~^ U <• 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



he became a member of a biigarlc.and served there- 
after in the ranks until tlie close of the war. He 
jjarticipated in many of the impcirtant engagements 
which followed, and was wounded before Atlanta 
in Jul)'. 1864, bj' a stray hall, which struck him in 
the back, passed through his right lung and lodged 
in his clothing. He still has the ball in his jiosses- 
sion. He was sent to the hospital at .leflferson, Ind., 
where he remained until the surrender of Lee, and 
was mustered out in June. 1865. He has never 
been able to perform manual labor since being 
wounded. 

Upon leaving the army Mr. Rice returned to 
Three Rivers and resumed his former business as a 
builder and contractor, which he followed almost 
continuously up to 1884. and then retired. He 
was married in the nineteenth jear of his age, in 
18.52. to Miss Harriet, daughter of John Neuman. 
This ladj' was born in Lewitlmrg. I'a.. A])ril 2. 1 833. 
The}- became the parents of three children, two of 
whfim are living: Dan, a resident of Fabius, this 
county, and Elizabeth, llie wife of Robert Craw- 
ford, of Kansas City. Mo. Estella met with a most 
painful death, by burning, in 1862, when eight 
years old. 

Mr. Rice is a stanch supj orter of Greenback 
principles. He has lieen quite prominent in local 
affairs, rei)resenting the Thiid Ward in the Cil}' 
Council several terms, serving as Depul}- Sheriflf 
twc> years under Charles Coddington, was Under 
Sheriff of .St. Joseph County four j'ears, and is 
Deputy Game and Fisli AVnrdenatthc present time. 
Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity and 
the G. A. R. 




RS. LYDIA BAUM, widow of John Baum, 
is one of the oldest residents of this part of 
/// u" the State of Michigan, having lived in the 
town of Lockpoit. Si. Joseph Count}', for 
more than fifty-one years, coming here with her 
parents in April. 1837. Her husband came in the 
year 1830, prior to that. The latter was born in 
Chester County, Pa., Nov. 23. 1811. ami died Nov. 
14, 1888, lacking but a few days of completing his 
seventv-seventh year. He lived in his native 
Count}- until his twenty-si.xth year, when he deter- 



mined to try his fortunes in the then Territory of 
Michigan. He had learned the tr.ide of shoemak- 
ing, but on coming "West became a farmer, enter- 
ing 160 acres of land in Cass County, which he 
subsequently exchanged for a farm of 160 acres 
in Lockport Township, near Three Rivers in .St. 
Joseph County, to which he added eighty acres by 
purchase. He also became the owner, in partner- 
ship with a Mr. Brower. of a farm of forty acres 
about two miles south of Three Rivers. 

About this time Mr. Baum was married, March 
10. 1839, and the young couple began housekeep- 
ing on the 40-acre place. There they lived but for 
six months, when they removed to Three Rivers, in 
what is now the .Second Ward, and near where his 
wiciow now lives, and where he himself died. In 
this place they lived for about two and a half years, 
during which time and afterward lie was Constable 
and Collector. Giving up their village residence, 
Mr. and Mrs. Baum in 1842 went to live on their 
own farm in Lockport Township, and there they 
remained until March, 188.0. when Mr. Baum retired 
from active life, and bought and rebuilt the hand- 
some and commodious residence in which he spent 
the remainder of his days, 

Mr. Baum was a prominent and highly resix!cted 
citizen of Lockport Township, and was often called 
upon to hold positions of trust and responsibility. 
In addition to the offices already mentioned he w.is 
at different times Supervisor of the township, hold- 
ing that odice eleven years in all. Once he was 
elected Justice of the Peace, but never qualified. 
He had also held other minor positions. He was a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and in that 
body was held in high esteem, and w.as a Trustee of 
the church in Three Rivers at the time of its erec- 
tion. He was an upright, conscientious man, 
straightforward in all his words and acts, and was 
universally esteemed and respected in thecominimity 
of which for so many years he had been a member. 
His death deprived his widow and children of a de- 
voted husband and faithful parent. 

On March 10, 1839, Mr. Baum w.is united in 
marriage with Miss Lydia Jane Spencer, who 
was a native of Wayne County, N. Y., and born 
Jan. 26, 1823. her parents being Asa and Betsy 
Spencer, who were natives respectively of Connect- 



u 



••► 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



543 ' ^ 



iciil aii'I \'cnn()iit. In 1S37 the f.imily came to 
Micliiy;Mii, st'tUiii<j on a farm near Tlircc Rivers, 
where the father died, the iiu>lher j;*J'"g *■•> Iowa 
with one of her sons, and dj'ing in that SUte. 

Mr. and Mrs Haiim were the parents of six ciiil- 
dren, namely: lilizabetli Ann, born Jan. o, 1840, 
who is the wife of Charles .Smitii, a resident farmer 
t>f Walworth County. Dak.; Georj^e S., horn June 
1 1, 1842, is married to Susan Casper, and is also a 
farmer, living in Iliitchinson County, Dak.: he en- 
listed in the lllli .Mifliigau InfaHtry in 18G2, in 
Company- K. of which his iincle. ILenr^' N. Spencer, 
w.as Captain, and served for tlie entire term of 
three j'ears. taking part in niriiiy of tiie most des- 
perate battles in the Southwest, but was fortunatel}- 
never wounded, although his health has been under- 
mined by the hardships endured. William Penn 
was born Aug. 2, 1844. and was likewise in the 
Union service, serving in the navy on the Missis- 
sippi, enlisting Feb. 22, 1862, and dying on the 
gunboat "Judge Torrance," Aug. 17, I8G2, an- 
other martyr for his country; Henry N. was born 
Nov. 2.1. 1846. and died Oct. 26, 1849; Charles A., 
born June 12, 1851. is married to .Mar_v Miller, a na- 
tive of Iowa, and lives in the house with his 
mother, in Three Rivers; John Franklin, born 
A|)ril l(t, 1853, is married to Ilinlinda Ann.Stryker, 
and is a resident of the Second Ward in Three 
Rivers. 

The family is one of the most respected in the 
county, and the heads of it have alwaj-s been looked 
up to in the community. Mrs. Haum, like her 
worthy husband, has been for more than forty 
years a consistent member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and is now enjoying the fruits of a well- 
spent life, and calmly awaiting the summons that 
will call her to rejoin her loved companion of nearly- 
half a century. 



-i?^^ 



.^',VAV.,VJJ 



S»^- 




IjHIT.MAN K. CLAUK. .M. D., homeopathic 
physician at Three Rivers, has been a full 
fledged member of the medical profession 
for a period of fifteen years, having been regularly 
graduated from the Hahnemann .Medical College of 
Chicago, III., on the 21st of March, 1873. He had 



practiced, liowcver, several years previously, but 
took a course in this institution in accordance with 
the new laws rel.ating to members of the profession 
in Illinois and other Western .Stales. 

Dr. Clark was born in the cit^' of Ingersoll, Can- 
ada, March 23, 1851, anfl is the son of Moses C. 
and Lucy A. (Kasty) Clark, who were natives of 
New Hrunswick. and are now residents of Detroit. 
Their fauiilj' consisted of seven children. The 
boyhood of Whitman E. w.as passed in his native 
city, where he attended the public school, anil being 
graduated from this entered the Can.idian Literary 
Institute at Woodstock, where he prosecuted his 
studies for two years. He then became a student 
of medicine in the office of his two brothers at 
Aylmer, and upon leaving here entered Hahnemann 
College. 

Our subject was first located at Three Rivers in 
1872. After receiving his college diploma he re- 
turned, and as.sociated himself in partnership with 
Dr. E. B. Graham, which continueil eighteen months. 
Dr. Clark then removed to Centreville, this count}', 
where he conducted a very successful practice four 
years, and at the end of this time returned to Three 
Rivers, which has since been his home, and where 
he has established a large and lucrative jiractice 
both in town and countr}-. On the 1st of Decem- 
ber, 1887. the firm of Drs. Clark <t Chaffee came 
into existence, and is still operative. 

The members of the .State Homeopathic Societj' 
elected Dr. Clark Vice President of their associa- 
tion in 1878, and he holds the office of President of 
the .Southwestern Michigan Homeopathic .Society. 
He is a Mason of high standing, being Eminent 
Commantler of the Knights Templars, Chancellor 
Commander of the Knights of Pythi.as, and has 
passed all the Chairs in the I. O. O. F. A few 
years after being graduated from Hahnemann Col- 
lege there was conferred upon him by the Chicago 
Homeopathic College the honorary* degree of M. D. 
He has .accumulated a handsome propcrt}' entirely 
by his own efforts anti gootl management. He is 
one of the principal owners of the M.agnetic .Springs 
and .SaniUirium located on Flint avenue. This in- 
stitution was remodeled and refitted in 1887, and has 
become a popular resort for theaffiictcd, the waters 
of the springs containing miny healing properties. 



-4^ 



544 



^i^H* 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



Dr. CI.Ti'k h.is boon twice married, liis first wife 
having been Miss Sula Davis, of Aylnier. Canada, 
bj' wliom he had one daughter. Mrs. Clark died 
Sept. 27, 1878. The present wife of our subject, 
to whom he was married in Centreville, this county, 
Oct. 13, 1880, was formerly Miss Ella, daughter of 
John Wolf, Vssq.. of that place. The}' occupy a 
pleasant home in the central part of the city, and 
are held in high esteem in its social circles. 




I/;ARREX D. PETTIT, a i)rominent farmer 
of Lockport Township, and in good circum- 
W^ stances, settled on the land which he now 
occupies nearlj' thirt}- years ago, in the fall of 185'J, 
owning it since 1855. He has been a lifelong ag- 
riculturist, excepting about thirty years when b.e 
carried on a carriage works, and his career has been 
that uf a public-spirited and praiseworthy citizen, 
who has accomplished much in a quiet way, having 
a good intluence upon the community around him, 
and contributing his quota as he has had opportu- 
nity to its general ad vancenicnt. The son of Williani 
I'ettit, he was born in Benton Township, Yates Co., 
N. Y., Oct. 14, 1812, and spent his boyhood and 
j'outh on his father's farm. His education was con- 
ducted in the common school, and he remained a 
member of the parental household until after the 
decease of his father, which occurred iu his fifty- 
sixth year. 

William Pettit was born in Canaan Township, 
State of Connecticut, in 1770, and in early manhood 
removed to Yates Count}', N. Y., locating on a tract 
of land in Benton Township, where he built up a 
good homestead and spent the remainder of his 
life. In the Empire State he was married to Mrs. 
Delilah Bateman, who was a native of New York, 
and the daughter of Ezra Cole, and thej- became 
the parents of five children. Of these Warren D., 
our subject, was the eldest born by his mother's 
second marriage, and he is the oul}' survivor of his 
family with the exception of a half-sister, Mrs. Amy 
Draper, who is a resident of Benton Center, N. Y., 
and who is now eighty-two years of age. 

Young Pettit after the death of his father, leav- 

-^» 



ing the farm, repaired to the town of Wheeler. 
Steuben Co., N. Y.. and began an apprenticeship at 
the trade of wagon maker, under the instruction of 
John Biirnside. He was then a lad of fourteen 
years, and remained in the employ of Mr. Burnside 
for three and one-half j'ears. returning to Benton 
Center when about eighteen years of age. He pur- 
sued his trade for nearly four years thereafter, with 
such good results that he was enabled to purchase 
the well-regulated wagon manufactory' of Horace 
Holmes, and carried on the business until about 
1837. In the fall of that 3'ear, deciding on casting 
his lot with the pioneers of Indiana, he repaired to 
Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, where he carried 
on a wagon factory until the spring of 1842. He 
then came to Michigan, settling at Three Rivers, 
which at that time was but a small hamlet. He was 
the pioneer wagon manufacturer of the place, and 
conducted a prosperous business until the fall of 
1859. Then, desirous of changing his occupation, 
he secured land in Lockport Township on section 
29, and from that time on until the present has 
given his attention exclusivel}' to farm pursuits. 

Mr. Pettit was married at Libert}' Corners, in 
Steuben County, N. Y., April 9, 1835, to Miss Caro- 
line M., daughter of James and Anna Coon, who 
were natives of New Hampshire. The mother died 
at the home of her son Charles J., at Elkhart, 
Ind., in August, 1886. James Coon departed 
this life at the home of his daughter, I^Irs. Pet- 
tit, in Three Rivers, in the fall of 1853, at the 
age of fifty-six years. Mrs. Pettit was born in 
Steuben County, N. Y., June 1, 1817. Of her 
union with our subject there were born nine chil- 
dren, five of whom are living. The eldest of these, a 
son, Charles P., is conducting a drug-store at Elmira, 
N. Y. ; George W. is an expert machinist, and 
makes his home in Elkhart, Ind. ; Mary Ettie is the 
wife of Dr. C. A. Hughes, and they are living in 
Spokane Falls, W. T. ; both the Doctor and his 
wife are graduates of Hahnemann College, Chicago. 
Henry P. obtained an excellent education, and is a 
young man of more than ordinary ability; he, 
however, has chosen farming for his occupation, 
and married Miss Eva M. Fulkerson, who is now 
dead, leaving one child, Ettie M., who makes her 
home with her grandparents Pettit. He is living 



I 



=L. 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



hio 



in Lookport Towiislii)). Minnie Iv also tuoic klmlly 
to lu-r lioiiks, ami coinplotLMl her education in llie 
High Selioiil at Flint; she makes her home with her 
parents. 

Mr. iiiul Mrs. I'ettit arc people held in high es- 
teem, .ind members in good standing of the Pres- 
byterian C'hnrcli. The farm is pleasantly located 
and well improved, and with its appurtenances 
forms one of the most complete homes in Lock|x>rt 
Townsliip. Our subject has been prominent in local 
affairs, and held the ollice of Justice of the Peace. 
He comes of excellent ancestry, and his honored 
father durini; the War of 1812 evinced his patriot- 
ism by shouldering his musket and assisting in driv- 
ing the aggressive Briton from American soil. 



0C70 




1 ' 



1LLI.\M II. SMITH. Next to the dre.id of 
dissolution is the dread of being forgotten. 
The surest manner in which we can pre- 
vent tliis calamity is by strict adlierence to duty, by 
lives of charity and kindness, and doing good unto 
our fellownien as we Have the opportunity. The 
subject of this record, althouirh decoiised a period 
of over eighteen years, is still affectionately re- 
memberecl by his family and friends, who take this 
method of jierpetualing his name and bis kindly 
dee<is. He came to .St. Joseph County during the 
period of its early settlement, in 1838. journeying 
from his native State of Penn.sylvania in company 
with the family of Robert Ainsley, when a j'oung 
man twenty-three years of age. He located for a 
time in Allegan County, and wa.s employed in a 
sawmill about six months, then ctjming to Men- 
don, this county, commenced lumbering, which he 
proscculwl three years. He finally took up his resi- 
dence in Lock|H>rt Township, and wa.s employed by 
Washington (iaskin on his farm. In the meantime 
he also n.ssisted in the transportation of flour by 
rafts down the .St. .loseph Uivcr, and such were his 
skill and success that he was familiarly known as 
Cai)t. Smith thereafter. 

Capt. Smith m.ide his first i)urch!ise of laud in 
Lockport Township in 181.'). takin<> up eighty acres 
from the (lovernment on section 16. He paid (or 
Ibis at the rate of ^1.2."i per acre, and after be had 



improved his first purch.ase added to his landed 
estate until he had 200 acres, all of which, with the 
exception of forty acres, was purchased from the 
(lovernmeut. He brought IfWt acres of this to a 
gotxl state of cultivatitm, building up a good home- 
stead, where he spent the remainder of his life. 
His de.ith occurred .\pril 12. 1870, after having 
been ill but six days, of peunmonia. He was born 
in Belvidere, Js. J., in 1818, and when a little child 
tliroe years of .age was taken by his parents to Pike 
County, Pa., where he w.is reared to man's estate 
and received his education in the common schools. 
He followed lumbering in Pennsylvania until com- 
ing to the West. 

John Smith, the father of our subject, was born 
in New York State, and lived there until changing 
his residence to Belvidere, N. J., and then to Pike 
Count}-, Pa. He onlj" lived to be middle-aged, dy- 
ing in Pike County at the age of forty -five years. 
He married Mi.ss Klizalieth Chamberlin, a native of 
Belvidere. N. J., and who, after the death of her 
husband, removed to Illinois and made her liome 
with her youngest daughter, Mrs. Olive C<jurt- 
wright. at Oalva, where she died at the age of sev- 
enty years. The parental faniil}- consisted of six 
daughters and two sons, all of whom grew to m.v 
ture j'ears, were married .and reared families. None 
of these died under forty ^-ears of age. The sur- 
vivors are residents mostly of Illinois and Penn- 
sylvania. 

William II. Smith was married in Lockport. this 
county, March 19. 18.50, to Mi.ss Margaret A., 
daughter of James L. and Elizabeth (Paul) (Ira- 
ham. Mr. and Mrs. (Jraham were natives of W.a.sh- 
iu^ton County, N. Y., and came to the West about 
1810. The father engaged in farming, and died in 
Lockport Township, this county, at the age of 
forty-two years. The mother survived her husband 
a long period, remaining a widow. an<l living to be 
eighty-two years old. Their children, twelve in 
number, lived to be men and wtimen with one ex- 
ception, and ten still survive. Mrs. Smith w;is the 
third child of the family and of her union with 
our subject there were born four children. Sarah 
E. died at the old homestead when thirty-one years 
of age; William dieil when a child of two years: 
A''nes .1. i- tlie wife iif Lewi-* Collisi. a 'jrocor of 



:5^h-^ 



M^ 



546 



^•^Hh-* 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



Toiu-ka. Kail. EUiridge II. was born in Lockport 
Town.'*lii|), .luly 11. 1867. and was a lad wlio took 
kindly to his books, passing through the graded 
school, and taking a commercial course in the sem- 
inary at Tliree Hivers. He wsis occupied as a clerk 
one year in Topeka. and lias made three trii)s over 
the Western country, sojourning in Leadville. Col., 
at one time six months. He is nt)w operating the 
old homestead one and one-half miles from Three" 
Rivers. 

Mr. Smith identified iiimself with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in 1850, and was prominent 
among its councils, olllciating as Stew'ard and Trus- 
tee, and contrll)uting lllicrally to its support. Jlrs. 
Smith united witli this church at the same time as 
her husliand, an<l her daughter Sarah was a mem- 
ber of the same at tlie time of her death. 



•t 



4- 



1? UCAS TIIEUREK is a successful farmer and 
(?§) stock-raiser of Fabius Township, where, on 
L^^ section 16, he owns one of tlie finest farms 
in tliis part of St. Joseph County. He is a (lernian 
by birth, liaving been born in Wittenberg. Oer- 
inany. Oct. 9. 1825. His parents were (ieorge and 
Anna M. (Seyboldt) Tiieurer. Botli lived and 
died in Wittenberg. 

Our subject is one of tlie ^'ounger members of a 
family of eight iliildien, and has one sister and two 
brotlieis living in (Jermany. He received a sub- 
stantial education in the excellent schools of the 
Fatherland, and a careful training as a farmer from 
his father. He grew to be a vigorous, enterprising, 
ambitious young man. and. desirous of seeing 
sometliing more of the world than was embraced 
in ills native place, and to tr}^ his fortunes in 
America, the Mecca of so many of his countrymen, 
in 1848, when he w.as about twenty-two years of 
age. he came to this country. For awhile he lived 
in New York with a brother, and farmed for a liv- 
ing. He returned to Germany to visit his old 
home in 1851, and after staying awhile among his 
old friends, he came back to the I'nited Slates, and 
was married, April 12, 1852, to Miss Barbara Stein- 
hilber, who has been to him a devoted wife, and has 
done her share in accumulating the prciperty which 



will enable them to jass their remaining years in 
ease and comfort. To this worthy couple have 
been born ten children, three sons and seven daugh- 
ters, namely: Augustus. Louisa (now Mrs. Warren 
Smith). Adoliihiis. Mary. Emma. fJeorge. Cornelia. 
Rosa, Nettie and Polly. 

After his marriage Jlr. Theurer settled in New 
York, and worked hard to obtain a comfortable 
home for himself and his wife, but in this he was 
unfortunate, and finally lost all his hard earnings. 
He w.is in the employ of Gov. Throop. of New 
York, who, finding him faithful and trustworthy, 
placed his large farm in this State under his care, 
and he removed here in 1855. He managed the 
Governor's farm with great success, and to his em- 
jiloyer's entire satisfaction. He continued to super- 
intend that property until 1858. when the (iovernor 
sold it. Mr. Theurer then moved to Three Rivers, 
where he established him.«elf in the butcher busi- 
ness, but this venture diti not prove to be a very 
prosperous one. and he failed. He continued 
in the same business, however, in Three Rivers, 
working in the employ of others for six years. 
Tliat did not suit his independent spirit, and he 
subsequently turned his attention to the calling 
to which he had been reared, and bought a farm of 
ninety-four acres, on which he has ever since re- 
sided. After that Mr. Theurer became his brother 
Philip's heir; he having lieen a soldier in the Civil 
War. was shot at the battle of Resai'a. and dying 
from the effects of his wound, had willed all of his 
property to his brother Lucas, our subject. This 
was a great help to the latter, and enabled him 
to buy his ])resent farm. By unremitting and well- 
directed toil, he has improved this to a tirst-cl.a.-is 
place, with as good buildings as are to be found 
within the limits of St. Joseph County, with a line 
orchard of live acres, and his land all under excel- 
lent tillage, all showing him to lie a practical, 
wide-awaki' man. einjiloying the best methods of 
conducting agriculture. 

Although Mr. Tlu'iirer is of foreign birth, this 
(u>veniment has no more loyal citizen than he h.as 
proved himself to be during the course of the forty 
years that have elapsed since he first came to make 
his home in this country. His honest and upright 
character has won for him the unalloved esteem of 



^- 



T 



-4»- 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



547 



all in the oonimunity. In his domestic ri'lntions he 
iri all that a devoted husband and loving father 
should lie. and takes jjreat jileasui-e in his family, 
thinking; that while others may have more dollars 
and cents, they are no richer than he. Mr. Theurer 
is a prominent member of the Reformed Chureli at 
Three Rivers, of which he wa.s one of the or;ian- 
izers. and is now one of its Klders; hi> family are 
likewise members of that church. Mr. Theurer 
also takes n great interest in educational and ])oliti- 
cal matters. lie ha.s been for a long lime a member 
of the School IJoard. and has tilled the office of 
SchiM)! Inspector two terms, lie ha,s served as Jus- 
tice of the Peace one term, and has been a mcnilier 
of the Central Committee of the Clreenbaek party, 
whose principles he upluilds. although he is inde- 
pendent in his political views. He was Highway 
Commissioner one term. l'|K)n the organization of 
the Corey (irange, in 1873. he became one of its 
charter members, and held several offices in that 
Grange; later he demitted. .and joined the River- 
side (} range, and ft)r seven years was Chaplain of 
that organization, also was Marshal for one year, 
and is now serving his second term as Steward. He 
is likewise a member of the Pomona County 
(irangc No. 4, of St. Joseph County, and for sev- 
eral \'ears held official positions in that organization. 

ACOB KKRN. The National Hotel at Three 
Rivers, of which the subject of this sketch is 
the present proprietor, is one of the most 
popular institutions of its kind in St. Joseph 
County. It requires no little tact, forethought and 
business ability to conduct successfully a public 
house. That Mr. Kern possesses these in a marked 
degree is evident by the success which has atten<led 
his labors and efforts, and under his careful super- 
vision the hotel is the source of a handsome income, 
and has become vnluable. 

Kssentiallj' an Ohio man, our subject wsis born in 
Seneca County, that .State, March IC. 1845, and is 
the sou of Yost and Mary (Romig) Kern, both of 
whom were natives of that part of Snyder County, 
Pa., which has since been erected into the county 



of Union. On both sides of the bouse the family 
were of German ancestry. Yost and Mary Kern 
was married In 1834, and the year following, leav- 
ing the Keystone State, took up their abode in 
Thompson Township. Seneca Co., Ohio, where the 
father purchased land in the forest. Years of hard 
labor were required to clear this and bring it to a 
sUilc of cultivation, but the elder Kern was well 
equipped with the perseverance and resolution 
handed down to him from his ancestry, and in the 
course of a ilozen 3"ears or so had reason to regard 
his labors with satisfaction. He now sold out at a 
fair profit, and j)urchased another farm in the same 
township. 

In 1838 the father of our subject disposed of his 
property again and purchased in Adams Township, 
in the same count}'. He made considerable money 
b_v these various operations, but in 18G2 disposed of 
all his interests in the Buckeye State, and with his 
wife and family came to Alichigau, locating in 
Lockport Township, this county, about two miles 
north of Three Rivers. He was always rcaily to 
.sell or trade to advantage, and was a good judge 
of property. In 1867 he rlisposed of his first pur- 
chase and bought a farm in Fabius Townshi)). He 
then retired from active labor a couple of years, 
leaving the farm in the hands of his son jacol). 
Town life, however, was not suited to his active 
temperament, and later we find him in possession of 
another farm in Kalamazoo Countv. to which he 
removed and liveil upon a few years. He then 
made another change, selling once more, and buying 
another farm near Howard City, in Montcalm 
County, where, however, he remained but one year. 
Thence he removed to Vicksburg, Kalamazoo 
County, and shortly after buying a farm southwest 
of that place, made this his home until his death, 
which occurred when he lacked but one day of 
completing his seventy-seventh year. 

The father of our subject possessed remarka- 
bly fine business qualiBcations. and at one period 
of his life was the owner of a large amount of 
prfiperty. His great good nature, however, and 
his trust in those whom be believed to be his friends, 
together with his willingness at all times to oblige, 
caused him man)' severe losses, by becoming surety. 
At one time he lost in this manner the sum of 



•► B ^ »■ 



>» ■ 4* 



•► 1 1 ^^ 



,t 



548 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



$1.1,000. This resulted iu placing iiim in .i position 
of comparative povertj- during tlie last years of his 
life, but be possessed hosts of friends, who, had it been 
neecssarj'. would never have allowed him to want. 
He was a good neighbor and upright citizen, and 
for man3- years a member of the Reformed Church. 



<ffl ftlLLIAM II. GARDNER, editor and pro- 
\&Ji pi''Ptt)>' ^>f the St. Joseph County Eepub- 
'C'nS lican, and located at C'entreville, although 
having been only a brief time resident of this place, 
has already established himself in the esteem and 
confidence of its citizens. He is a gentleman of 
good ability and of excellent family, a native of 
.Steuben County. N. Y.. and born March 1.5, 1830. 

Hiram Gardner, the father of our subject, was 
born in Bristol County, R. I., whence he removed 
to Steuben County, N. Y., when it wa.< a wilder- 
ness. He constructed a comfortable homestead after 
j'ears of industrious labor, and there spent the last 
years of his life. The wife of his youth was Miss 
Sarah Patchen, and they became the parents of two 
children; both are living, the brother residing at 
Cooper's Plains. N. Y. 

The subject of this sketch grew up amid the 
scenes of pioneer life in the Empire State, receiv- 
ing such education as tlie imperfect school system 
of that day afforded. His educatit)n wj»s carried on 
mostly during the winter season, while the balance 
of the year lie made liini.^elf useful around tlie home- 
stead, manufacturing rails and shingles, driving 
oxen, and utilizing himself in whatever m.anner re- 
quired. When out of school lie by no means neg- 
lected his books, making a practice of reading as 
time and opportunity presented. At the age of 
nineteen years he commenced teaching, and offici- 
ated thereafter as a pedagogue for a pei'iod of more 
than twenty j-ears. Leaving his native State in the 
spring of 1856, he migrated to Lee County. 111., 
where he employed himself in fanning and teach- 
ing, and became a prominent citizen in connection 
with educational affairs. He w.is twice elected 
Su|H'rintendent of Schools. During the war he got 
out timber for the United States Government, and 
upon one occasion seven days from the time the 



trees stood in the forest a bridge was made of them, 
spanning a river in Tennessee. 

Mr. Gardner has been engaged in the newspaper 
work since 1866. being formerly part owner of the 
Grand Raiiids Democrat. He withdrew from this 
to enter the office of II. N. F. Lewis, publisher of 
the Western Mural, at Chicago.'and took the first 
order for advertising for that paper, nailing up the 
first office sign of that pajjer in Chicago. He con- 
ducted the affairs of this otiice one year, when the 
main office was removed from Detroit to Chicago, 
and Mr. Gardner became traveling correspondent 
and editor. Later he was connected with the Hu- 
mane Journal for a period of eleven years. He 
purch.ased his present paper, the Republican, in May, 
1888, of which he took charge in .July following. 
It is a spic^- six-column octavo, devoted to the in- 
terests of the county and Rcpubliciin party. 

The marriage of AVilliam II. (iardncr and Miss 
Margaret Holmes w.as celebrated in Homer. N. Y.. 
Dec. 31, 1855. This lad3- was the daughter of 
Am.a.<a Holmes, of Homer, and of her union with 
our subject there were born two children, one of 
whom, Frances, became the wife of AVilliam Chad- 
band. ,Sui)crintcndent of Rose Hill Cemetery; they 
reside in tlie beiiutiful suburb of Rogers Park, near 
Chic.igo. Mrs. JIargaret (Holmes) Gardner de- 
jiartcd this life at her home in Rogers Park. March 
2. 1888. She was a lad\- highh" esteemed by her 
acquaintances, a member in good standing of the 
Baptist Church, and an active Christian worker. 



-^-^^ 



iRD, lawver. Three 



^^^^S^nEWTON II. BARN A I 
If ))j I^'^'"'*- ^I'fli" '*^-'>s born at Lyndonville. 
j^M) ^- Y.. -Ian. 28, 1855. He is the eldest son 
of Rev. O. Holmes Barnard, a Presbyterian minis- 
ter (now a resident of Ottawa. 111.), and Elizabeth 
(Johnson) Barnard. His parents were both natives 
of Saratoga County. N. Y. 

At the age of twelve years Mr. Barnard removed 
with his parents to Paw^ Paw, Mich., and there at- 
tended the |)ublic school until 1872. when he went 
to .Monroe. Wis., and while there w.is graduated 
from the Union School, and commenced the study 
of law with Hon. Edmund Bartlett. in September. 



-♦■ 



•a^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



549 



1H73. IIo entered tlie law depart nient of Union 
I'niversity at Alliaiiy. N. Y.. and on May ."). 1H71, 
was graduated therefrom witli tlie degree of LL. 
B.. and was immediately admitted to the practice 
of law liy the Sii])reme Court of New York. Soon 
afterward he took up the study of law in the olliee 
of John A. Talbot at Cassopolis, Mich., remaining 
there until the spring of IHl.'t. when he located at 
Ft. Dodge, Iowa, and prac'.iced his profession until 
the fall of 1876, when he formed a copartnership 
with Marsli:ill L. Howell and .lohn 1{. C'arr, under 
the firm name of Howell. C'arr A- Itarnard, and 
commenced the practice of law at Three Rivers, 
where he has since remained, and where said firm 
hjis built up an extensive business. 

Mr. Harnaril is a careful, hard-working niMii.;uid 
by his energy and close application to business has 
established an enviable reputation in his chosen 
profession, and is bound to rise still higher. He 
has taken a great interest in jxjlitics, and h,as served 
as \"ill.age .\ttorney three years. Circuit Court Com- 
missioner of St. Joseph County two 3-ears, and 
School Inspector of Lock|)ort 'IVjwnship ten years. 
In the fall of 1888 he secured the unanimous nomi- 
nation of the Democratic party for State Senator 
for the Kightli District, comprising Kalamazoo and 
St. Jo.seph Counties, making a strong run for tlie 
]K>8ition. 

Mr. I?arnard is one of tlie Trustees of the First 
Presbyterian Church, and for two years filled the 
position of Treasurer of the society. On May 22, 
1m7!I. Mr. Harnanl wjls married to Verna M.. only 
daughter of Dr. and .Mrs. L. D. Tompkins, of Cass- 
opolis, and he now resides with his wife in a pleas- 
ant cottage on the corner of Fifth ami Fitst st reels ; 
their marrie<I life has been blessed with one son, 
who died in infancy. 



JOHN M. HOWARD, who has been a resident 
of Florence Township all his life, is a son of 
1 one of the foremost of Michigan pioneers, 
Orin Howard, who came to this county as 
early as 1833. The latter was born in Connecticut 
in 1812, and was consequently a young man twenty- 
one 3-ears old when casting his lot with the pioneers 



of Michigan Territory. He took up a tract of land 
on section G in Florence Township, and in due time 
secured unto himself a wife and helpmate. Miss 
Cornelia Peek, who was born in New York in 1818. 

To the parents of our subject were born eight 
children, all of whom with the exception of one son, 
Carl, who died at the age of ten j'ears, are still liv- 
ing. Mar}' J., the eldest daughter, is the wife of 
John Yaune^', and lives on a farm in P'lorence 
Township: Charles E., also a farmer of this town- 
shif), married Miss .Mahala Cloud; Arthur E. H. is 
engaged in the insurance business at Three Rivers; 
Clarence A. married Miss Olie Fulker.son. and is 
engaged as clerk in a drug-store in Constantine; 
John M.. of our sketch, was the third child. He 
occupies a part of the old homestead. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Florence 
Township, Sept. 30, 1849, and spent his boyhood 
and 3'outh amid the scenes of pioneer life, assisting 
his parents around the homestead and obtaining 
such eclucation .as the schools of that da^- afiforiled. 
At the age of twenty-two j-ears. ready to establish 
a home of his own, he w.as united in marriage, Dec. 
3, 1871, with Miss Florence .Stears, who was also a 
native of Florence Township, and who w.as born 
Dec. 14. I8.i2. Her parents. .Samuel and Elizabelh 
(Pash by) Stears, were natives of England and New 
Y'ork, and spent their last years in Florence Town- 
ship. Of this union there were born three children : 
Lizzie C, born April 4, 1874; Mary J.. Aug. 2.5, 
1876, and Evelyn, Aug. 29, 1879. Mr. Howard 
carried on farming successfidly. and became quite 
prominent in local aflfairs, serving two terms as 
Township Treasurer, and giving his nnqualified 
support to the Republican parly. 

The parents of our subject were gooil people in 
the strictest sense of the terra, and devout members 
of the .Methodist Episcopal Church. The father 
served as Justice of the Pe.ace a uumber of years, 
and for two terras was clecleil bj- the Republicans 
of his countv to the .State Legislature. He lived to 
be sixty-three 3'ears of age. and after a well-spent 
life died at the old homestead in Florence Town- 
ship, in 187."). The mother p.issed awaj- in Febru- 
ary. 1866. Orin F. Howard contracted a second 
marriage in 1866, with .Miss .Martha Gray. Her 
father died in Florence Township at the age of sev- 



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.#-11^^^ 



■*► 



_f 



ooO 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 




enty-three j'e.ars. The mother is still living on the 
old liomeste.nd on section 7. Of this union tiiere 
were born two children, Orin F.. and Elmer G., who 
now attends the business college in Three Rivers, 
Mich. 



ILLIAM L. WURTllINGTON. The mer- 
cantile circles of St. .Joseph County rec- 
ognize in the subject of this sketch one of 
their most able and efliciunt representatives. He 
has been located in Centreville since 1863, carries a 
well-selected stock of general merchandise, having 
his headquarters on Main street, and enjo^-s a gener- 
ous patronage from the best people, both in town and 
in the rural districts. 

Chenango County. N. Y., was the early tramping 
ground of our subject, where he first opened his 
e.ves to the light Nov. 24, 182.'5. He is the scion 
of an excellent family, his parents having been 
Theodore and Eliza (Ervin) Worthington, the 
father a native of Massachusetts and the mother of 
New York State. Grandfather Ervin followed the 
sea, within whose depths he met his death when a 
young man. 

After their marriage the parents of our subject 
settled in Chenango County, N. Y., where the father 
followed his tr.ide of carpenter, and where they re- 
sided until 1836. They then changed their resi- 
dence to Tioga Count}-, Pa., where the}' sojourned 
two years, and upon their next removal sought the 
young .State of Michigan, locating in Flowerfield 
Township, this county. The father was stricken 
down in the prime of life, his death occurring in 
1855. The mother had preceded her husband to 
the silent land in 1850. Their family comprised 
six children, four sons and two daugiilers. 

Our subject was a twin of his brother Warren, 
and,spent the early years of his life in his native 
county. He was a lad of fifteen years when the 
family removed to Pennsylvania, and he accom- 
panied them later to Michigan, completing his edu- 
cation in the schools of Flowerfield Township. 
Upon approaching manhood he began learning the 
trade of a carpenter, at which he worked until 
IH.')4, when he changed his occupation to that of 



miller, and also carried on merchandising in Flower- 
fielil. He had prior to this been elected, in the fall 
of 18G2, .Sheriff of St. .Joseph County, and was re- 
elected for a second term in 1864. .So faithfully 
did he perform his duties in connection with this 
office that he was next chosen as the Treasurer of 
St. Joseph County, which position he held four 
years. Next we find him conducting a hardware 
store in Centreville, in which business he engaged 
in the fall of 1870, continuing until 1882, and 
then selling out. 

Mr. Worthington. in the fall of 1884, invested a 
portion of his capital in the drug and grocerj' busi- 
ness, which he has isince successfully carried on. 
He has a neat and substantial residence, located in 
the western part of the citj', which, with its sur- 
roundings, forms a very attractive home, frequented 
bj' hosts of friends of the proprietor and his worthy 
wife. Our subject was married iu 1845, at Flower- 
field, to Miss Catherine Hale, whose parents were 
natives of New York State, and who was born in 
1823, in that .State. This union resulted in the 
birth of ten children, six sons and four daughters, 
nine of whom .ire still living. The eldest, Caroline, 
is the wife of John J. Hasbrouck, of Centreville. 
The others were named respectively: Henry AV., 
Fl(;rilla; Charles R., a resident of Kans.HS; Elva 
L., who died when nineteen years of age; George, 
William, Sarah J. and Catherine. Most of them 
are at home with their parents. 

Mr. Worthington cast his first Presidential vote 
for J. G. Birney, and is a stanch supporter of 
Republican [jrincipies. He has served as a member 
of the Town Council, also represented Noltawa 
Township on the County Board of .Supervisors. 
Socially, he belongs to Mt. Heruion Lodge, A. F. <fe 
A. M. 

"i|)OKN STEWART MAJORS. The man who 
I traces his ancestrj' to Scotland has some- 
thing of which to be proud, as in the case 
of the subject of this sketch. His f)ater- 
nal grand fatlier. John Majors, was born in the 
'• land of the thistle," and came to this countrj* in 
ear\y manhood, settling in Amsterdam, York State, 
where he spent his last j'ears. His son William . 



•►^H^ 



• ^ l i 4> 



ST. JOSEl'll COUNTY. 



551 



the father of oiir siilgoct. was born in Saratoga 
County, N. Y.. in Novt'nilicr, 179(!. anil married 
Mls^s Mnrpari'l .Stennrt, who w:is liorn in the town 
<.>f May field, Montgomery County, Jan. 1. \W6. 
She was the dauuhter of Thomas Stewart, also a 
descendant of substantial .Voteli ancestry, and who 
traced his linenfre lunk to the ri)yal house of 
Stewart. 

• After their niarrinije. in 182-1, the parents of our 
subject settled in Montgomery County, N. Y., but 
in Maj', 1834, gathered together their household 
effects and started overliind for Michigan Terri- 
tory. Coming to this county, they settled first on 
a tract of land in the vicinity of the embryo town 
of Centreville. and the patent secured by the f;itlier 
at that time is still in the possession of the family. 
It called for 160 acres, and upon it the parents la- 
bored diligently in the building up of a homestead, 
where the father died in December, 1876. The 
mother is residing in LockportTownship. at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty -six. 

William Majors was a good man in the broadest 
sense of the term, a model farmer, and a conscien- 
tious and useful citizen, lie learned the trade of 
tanner in early life, but upon coming to Michigan 
abandoned it for the more congenial pursuits of 
agriculture. He was a man held in high respect in 
his community, quiet and unobtrusive in his de- 
meanor, unambitious of otlice, but consented to 
discharge the duties of Township Supervisor, to- 
gether with minor positions of trust. Their fam- 
ily consisted of six children, of whom one daughter, 
Mary K., died when about twenty-nine years old. 
The only daughter now living is Margaret, the 
widow of Rev. .loseph Kershow. deceased; she 
now resides with her mother. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the old 
Ft. Johnson, Montgomery Co.. N. Y.. Sept. 23, 
1830. and was the third child of his parents, .lohn 
S. spent his boyhood at the homestead, and later 
attended the public school in Centreville. making 
his home with his parents until his marriage. This 
interesting event of his life occurred in February, 
1864. his bride being Flizabeth. daughter of Ocorge 
Yauney. Mrs. Majors was born in .St. .lohnsville, 
N. Y., Nov. 17. 18 10. and the result of her union 
with our subject was three children, one daughter 



and two sous: Katie is now teaching in Saginaw, 
Mich.; Thora.as .S. is now attending school in Cen- 
treville; and George was born Jan. 22, 1877. ami 
died Nov. 29, 188:5. 

After their marriage Mr. and .Mrs. Majors set- 
tled at the farm which they now own and occupy. 
It is pleasantly located on section 1 'J. and embraces 
280 acres of good land, upon which Mr. Majors has 
erected first-class buildings, effecting many improve- 
ments since its purcha.se by' him. It was formerl}" 
known as the old Angevine farm. Since 1861 he 
has operated largely' as a stock <lealer, shipping an- 
nually large numbers of cattle, swine and sheep to 
Chicago, Unffnluand New York City. He is known 
far an<l wide as one of the most thorough ami skill- 
ful farmers of this section, and is a favorite both in 
business and social circles. 

Mr. Majors, politically, is a uniform supporter of 
Republican principles, and in religious matters at- 
tends the services of the Reformed Church. The 
daughter Katie received an excellent education, 
and was graduated from Ypsilanti (Mich.) State 
Normal. 







ATHAN B. CARY. The f.all of 1854 wit- 
nessed the advent of the subject of this 
^ sketch into Lockport Township, (»f which he 
hassincebeen a resident. He at that time first pur- 
chased 100 acres of land of Daniel Johnson, on sec- 
tion 12. about eighty acres of which were under a 
state of cultivation. The winter following he spent 
in Allegan County, this State, but in the spring re- 
turned to Lockport, where he was joined bj- his 
father's family, who had removed from New York 
State, anil they all took up their abode on the new 
farm. There the parents lived until the}' passed 
away. 

Isaac Cary. the father of our subject, was a native 
of New York .Suite, and married Miss Mary B:is- 
sett, who was born in .M.-issachusetts. They settled 
in Fulton (formerly Montgomery) Ctmnty. N. Y., 
after their raarriige, and became the parents of 
seven children, three sons and four daughters. 
After the d -"itli of his lir-ft wife .Mr. C.iry w.is m ir- 
ried a secon<l lime, and there were added to the 



.► i r^ 



552 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



household circle three more children, a daughter and 
two sous. 

Nathan B. Gary was the second child of his 
father's second marriage, and was horn in what was 
then Montgomery Count}', N. Y., but is now Fulton 
County, Aug. 15, 1827. The homestead Lay in 
Maylield Township, and there our subject was reared 
until a youth of eighteen j'ears. In 1845 the fam- 
ily changeil their residence to the vicinity of Attica, 
W3'oming Country, where Nathan K. completed 
his education and developed into ujanhoud. When 
not in school he assisted his parents around the 
homestead. He came to Michigan in the fall of 
1853, and after a brief sojourn in Mendon Township 
took up his abode in this township, as heretofore 
stated. In the meantime, however, he had made a 
brief visit to the State of Ohio, spending the winter in 
Lorain County. In returning to the farther West 
he made the journey via Cliicago and St. Louis, for 
the purpose of looking more thoroughly over the 
countr3',ashe had not fully decided where he would 
locate. He finally decided there was no more de- 
sirable place then this county, and he has had no 
reason to change his opinion during the more than 
thirty years of his residence here. 

Young Gary proceeded with the development of 
the new farm, having in view the establishment of 
a home of his own when the proper time should 
arrive. On the 10th of January, 1861, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary K., daughter of Daniel and Ksther 
Francisco, the wedding taking place at the bride's 
home in Three Rivers. Mrs. Cary was born in On- 
tario County, N. Y., Sept. 27, 1840. Her parents 
were natives of New York State, and spent their 
last years in this county. The mother died in Lock- 
port Township when a young woman only thirty- 
two years old. The father lived to be sixty-nine 
years of age, and died at his home in Three Rivers. 
Both were members of the Presbyterian Church. 
They had eight children, of whom six are living: 
Charles O. is engaged in the liver}- business at 
Three Rivers; Mary E., Mrs. Cary, was the second 
child ; William M. is operating a prosperous business 
at Three Rivers; Margaret A. is the wife of B. M. 
Hicks, an active business man at .Minneapolis. .Minn. ; 
William B. is the traveling agent for a carriage 
manufactory, and makes his home in Three Rivers; 



Frank is traveling salesman for a Chicago dr3'-goods 
firm, and makes his home in Jackson, this State. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cary l>ecame the parents of six 
children, three of whom are living. Cora AVestella 
died when four weeks old; Edward F. died at the 
age of nine and one-half months; Maggie M. passed 
away when an interesting child of fourteen 3'ears. 
Of the survivors, Albert H., the eldest of the fam- 
ily, w.as born .Ian. 24, 186.3; Charles M., Jan. 29, 
1869. and Irwin B., July 3, 1878; these are all at 
home with their parents. Albert H. was married 
in Detroit, Nov. 25, 1885, to Miss Fannie P. Curtis, 
who w.as born in Louisville, Kv., Sept. 14, 1861; 
her parents, George G. and Debby Annie ( Wescott) 
Curtis, were natives of Vermont and New York, 
and are now in Stafford Count3', Va. Theii' family 
consisted of seven children, of whom Fann3'P. was 
the third. Four of these are living, and three make 
their homes in Virginia. Our subject and wife are 
members of the Reformed Church at Centreville. 
Mr. C. is a member of the grange. In politics he is 
a Proliibiiiouist. Isaac Cary, father of our subject, 
died Sept. 19,1856, .aged seventy-four; li,is wife, 
JLary, died June 21, 1858, aged seventy-one 3'ears. 

^ I^ILLIAM F.ARNOLD. As a pioneer of 
\cj// 1832 Mr. Arnold deserves more than a 
\y'sff passing mention in noting the main facts 
connected with the first settlement of St. .Foseph 
County. He came to this region when a young man 
of twenty years, and h.is since been closely identified 
with its various interests, giving his attention 
mostly to agriculture. When making arrange- 
ments for a home of his own. he took up a tr.act of 
(jovernment land, and operated thereon until 1876, 
when advancing years admonished him it would be 
wise to lay aside the cares and responsibilities at- 
tendant thereon. He then retired to a pleasant 
home in Three Rivers, of which he has since been 
a resident. 

The Empire State, which has furnished so many 
of the solid men of the West, claims Mr. Arnold as 
one of her sons, he having been born in Otsego 
County. Aug. 6. 1812. His father. Caleb Arnold, 
was a native of Washington County, that State, 
and the son of Abimelcch Arnold, an old Revolu- 
tionary hero, who carried a musket during the Colo- 



»» ■ 4' 



••»> 



ST. JOSEril COUNTY. 



553 






nial times, niul m.'idf for liimst'lf :\ worthy record 
ill ilrivinj; llio Iliiloii frinii AiiU'ric:;n soil. Tlio 
inotticr of our sulijcct wns in licr <rirliioo(l Miss 
Kiu'licl lU'iinctl. n luitivo of \ eriiiont, and tlio 
(hiiiifiiter of I'iiineas lU'iinett. wlio was the son of 
.Joseph Bennett, the offsprinfr of a substantial old 
Knirlisli family who crossed the Atlantic prohaMy 
ahout the time of the Kevohilionary War. 

Caleb Arnold iip<m leavinjj his native place emi- 
jrrated to A\'asliinfrton County. N. V.. where he was 
married, and where the family lived until William 
F.. onr subject, was a little lad three years of age. 
.Vfterward they sojourned at Itcrkshire, in Broome 
County, anil in 'I'ioiiu Ctiunly. where our subject 
altended the common school, and in the latter 
reached man's estate. In tlie autumn of 18;?2 the 
family came to Michiiran Territory, locating first on 
a tract of (lovernment land. 160 acres, in Fabius 
Township; later entered lltl acres near the i)res- 
eiit site of the village of Constantine, removing to 
this in November following. In IH36 this farm 
wa,s sold, and Mr. Arnold purchased KKJ acres in 
another portion of the same township. At this 
latter Willi.am V. began in earnest for him.self. The 
parents remained u|Min the old homestead, the 
father passing away .Tan. 31, 18;')2. .'mhI tlie mother 
Feb. !>. 1804. 

William F. Arnold was the second living of eight 
children born to his |)arents, six of whom lived to 
mature years and four of whom survive. He was 
married. May 15, 1831, to Miss Hhoda Churchill, 
whose parents had removed from Ohio to this 
county about 1831. The young people began their 
wedded life together at the new farm, and endured 
in common with their neighbors the hardslii|)s and 
toils of life in a pioneer settlement. There came 
to tlieir he.'irthstone in due lime the bright faces of 
nine children, seven of whom livi'd to manhood 
and womanlxKxl. Two of these dieil in infancy, 
and .lanuti when about twenty years of age. The 
survivors are l.ucy. Cornelia. Sarah. Fhilo. Kdwin 
I*, and Frank M. The wife and mother depnrto<i 
this life at her home in Tliree Rivers, Oct. fi, 1851. 

Mr. .Vrnold on the 17th of .March, 18.j(!. con- 
tracted n second matrimonial alliance, with Mrs. 
Margaret .1. (Ireen. widow of H. C. Oreen, and 
daughter of .lames an<l .Margaret .Stump. Mrs. 
4* 



Margaret Arnold w.as born in SteulK-n County, X. 
v.. in 183(1. and of her union with our subject 
there is one child, a son, Ira B. Of her first inar- 
riiige there was born one child, a son, Wilbur, who 
is now in Texjis. 

•Mr. .Arnold cast his lirst Presidential vote for 
.Martin \'an Buren. and for a period of over fifty 
years has given liis un(|nali(ied support to the Dem- 
ocratic party. He has been prominent in local af- 
fairs, serving as Justice of the Peace twelve years 
and Supervisor eighteen years. lie h.as serveil a.s 
County Commissioner over three years, ami al- 
though in the seventy-sixth j-ear of his age. pos- 
sesses in a large measure the energy and activity 
of his vounger years. 



•!^^- 



W KSTER B. I'LACE. There are few enter- 
11 (^' 1"'''^''' o'^ more importance in the bushiess 
ilL^^ world than the iron industry, and the roan 
who has made (>f himself a master meclianic in this 
department of the industrial world contributes 
largely to the bone and sinew of a nation's successes. 
What the world would do without machinery it is 
almost impossible to conceive, and the man who has 
a thorough understanding of his business in con- 
nection with this is worthy (»f honorable mention. 
The subject of this biography, as foreman of the 
Sheffield Velocipede Car Company, of Tliree Rivers, 
occupies a responsible position, for wliich he is evi- 
dently ami>!y (itte<l. 

An Ohio man by birth and education, Mr. Place 
fiisl opened his eyes to the light near Sunbiiry. 
Delaware County, that State. Feb. 14. 1842, prov- 
ing a very interesting valentine to his worthy par- 
ents. The latter were .lacob and Mary (Foiist) 
PInee, the former of whom w.as of French extrac- 
tion, and the latter traced her ancestry toGernmny. 
The elder Place was a fanner by occupation, but 
died in 1843, when his son, our subject, was but an 
infant. The latter whs the j-onngest of the |jarenlal 
family, which included Sve children. The mother 
is still living. 

The boj-liood of our subject was spent in the 
manner common to most farmers' sons, pursuing his 
studies in the district school, and assisting his par- 



-4*- 



■•► 



554 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



ents around the homestead. By the death of the 
f.ither the family were thrown mostly on their own 
resources, and Lester B. when a lad twelve years of 
age started out for himself, working at whatever he 
could find to do. When a 3'outh of seventeen he 
began an apprenticeship at the molder's trade in 
Mt. Gilead, Ohio, which he followed there until 
reaching his majority. Thence he migrated to Mt. 
Vernon in the same State, where he sojourned four 
months, and from there went to Gallon, where he 
lived five years. He was now recognized as a mas- 
ter in his calling, and in the latter place was given 
charge of one of the departments of the shop, where 
he was employed until the outbreak of the Rebellion. 

Mr. Place in 1H62 enlisted as a Union soldier in 
the 136th Ohio Infantry, and 'was employed mostly- 
in garrison dut}'. In 1870 we find him at Lockport, 
X. Y.. where he entered the employ of the Holly 
AVater- Works Companj', with which he continued 
two years. In the spring of 1872 he decided to 
push further westward, and coming to Michigan 
was given charge of the foundry department in the 
machine-shopof the Jackson Foundry and Machine 
Company, which position he held five years. At 
the expiration of this time he changed his residence 
to Allegan, and was there employed by a stock 
company until the suspension of the works. 

Our subject next was employed on Lake Michi- 
gan for a period of six months, at the expira- 
tion of which time he returned to Allegan. He 
embarked in business for himself in company with 
II. L. Peck, and they operated under the style 
of Place it Peck two years, when the works were 
destroyed by fire. LTpon resuming Jlr. Place be- 
came associated with M. Willis, and they also 
operated together two years, but not with the suc- 
cess they had hoped for, and finally abandoned the 
project. 

The year 1883 found .Mr. Place first in Three 
Rivers as the Superintendent of the foundry de- 
partment of the Sheffield Velocipede Car Works, 
which position he is filling with credit to himself 
and satisfaction to all concerned. He occupies a 
snug home in the southern part of the town, and his 
family consist-s of his estimable wife and their only 
son, Frederick A., who was born Aug. 'J, 1SG2. 
They have been greatly afflicted l)y the loss of four 

<■ 



children, who died young. The wife of our subject 
was in her girlhood Miss Emily J. Carpenter, and 
they were married in 18G1 in Mt. Gilead, Ohio. 
Mrs. Carpenter is a native of Mt. Gilead, and the 
daughter of John Carpenter. 

As may be supposed, Mr. Place has very little 
time to give to public affairs, but he is an intelli- 
gent man. keeps himself posted upon matters of 
State and National interest, and gives his support to 
the Republican party. Socially, he is a K. of P., 
and also belongs to the G. A. R. 



1? A. ASPIXWALL. The inventive genius 
I (?S) of man has perhaps been a source of the 
j'*— ^^ most value to the world at large of an}' one 
thing that can be mentioned, facilitating labor, not 
taking from the hand of the laboring man as many 
maintain, but on the other hand providing him 
with additional employment, although perhaps in a 
different channel. It is conceded by all that the 
inventor, like the " prophet in his own country.'' 
has never received the credit, especially during his 
lifetime, which is his just due. As the world goes 
on, however, they are coming to the front, and be- 
ginning to occupy their rightful position among 
men. a position which is fast bringing to them their 
financial reward as well .as the honors to which they 
are justl}' entitled. 
I The subject of this sketch. President of the As- 
! i)in wall .Manufacturing Companj', of Three Rivers, is 
a man who has given the results of his invention to 
the farming community in the shape of a potato 
planter and a potato digger, which are destined to 
become very popular all over the West in the near 
future. The factory for their construction was 
established in 1885, at Three Rivers, and in con- 
nection with this the company also puts out a corn 
planter, the invention also of Mr. Aspinwall. It is 
probable that his forefathers flourished in New 
Englantl generations back, but his parents. L. E. 
and Margaret R. (Enders) As|)inwall, were natives 
of New York State. There also L. A. was born. 
Oct. 14, 1842, at Hastings, in Westchester County, 
near the banks of the beautiful Hinlson River. 
The father of our subject was a bell foundryraan, 



» , T ^^ 




ST. .lUSKl'll COUNTY. 



a profession which lie f<j||(iwed during liis carl}' 
nmnhuud, hul Inter he turned his attention tu farm 
pursuits. He found the eulture of potatoes to he 
very profitable, and accordingly gave to this com- 
modity a large share of his labors and attention. 

The family, as the records indicate, have been as 
it were a race of inventors, and the father of our 
subject jwssessed mechanical skill of no mean order. 
On llie other side of the hon.se the maternal granfi- 
f.'ither of our subject was a man largely interested 
in politics, very intelligent and well informed, but 
loved farm life notwithstanding, and made his home 
in the rural districts. 

The early j'ears of Mr. Aspinwall were spent at 
the homestead in Westchester County, N. Y. He 
received a good practical education, completing his 
studies in the Albany Academy. When but a lad 
of twelve years he constructed an implement for 
drilling garden seed, which was utilized at the 
homesteaci many years, and of which he might have 
nia<le considerable money had he npplie<I for a 
patent, which he did not do. He also was at the 
same time considerably interested in bee culture, 
dealing with Italian stock, and at one time had up- 
ward of seventy stjuids. 

At the age of nineteen 3'ears Mr. Aspinwall began 
to develop his idea of the potiUo planter, to which 
he devoted his time, thought an<l money for a 
period of twenty' years before it became a practical 
success. In the meantime he also invented the 
first successful corn husker, which is able to husk at 
the rate of one bushel per minute, and the patent 
of which he sold for $"20,000. After e.xperiraenting 
some fifteen j-ears, he crossed the Atlantic, and in 
the various districts of the Ohl World inves- 
tigated all kinds of machinery', and while there 
occupied himself in perfecting his potato planter, 
making of this :dso a success. The digger was more 
fully develo|>ed later. He owes the success of the 
digger to the e.\|)eriments he was enabled to make 
in Kngland. Owing to the fact of the climate being 
humid, he was compelled to abandon the original 
principle, and adopt a plan which seemed to be more 
in accordance with the needs of that climate, and to 
his great satisf.iction he succeeded in his efforts. 
He returned to America, and prepared to establish 
the factory, which is now in successful operation. 



Mr. Aspinwall came to Three Rivers in 1H84, 
and soon afterward organized the Aspinwall Manu- 
facturing Comp:iny. He acknowledges that he 
owes his success in a large measure to the generosity 
of Mr. C. W. Brega, of Chicago, a heavy ca|)italist. 
and now the \'ice President of the compfiu}-. The 
works are located at what is called Lockport, in the 
Second Ward of the city, and the buihlings occupy 
one and one-half acres of ground near the junction 
of the Lake .Shore it Michigan Southern and Michi- 
gan Central tracks, thus affording the best of ship- 
l)ing facilities. The establishment gives employ- 
ment to about thirty men, anil their shipments ex- 
tend from Maine to California, embracing all the 
intermediate points of importance. Mr. Aspinwall 
was made the first President of the company, a 
position which he has since lielil. 




^|, rSTlN W. STADDKN. A really good 
8S^/lJiI hotel is so rare and high priced that when 
one is found which combines excellence 
with cheapness it surely deserves a word 
of commendation in a work of this nature. Such 
a hotel is the St.adden House, at Centreville, under 
the able directitm of its genial and courteous pro- 
prietor, the subject of this sketch. It has a pat- 
ron.age commensurate with its merits, and the tired 
traveler who has once been domiciled under its 
hospitable roof will repeat the experiment at the 
first opportunity. 

A Pcnnsylvaniau by birth and breeding, Mr. 
Stadden was born in the village of .Milton. North- 
umbcrlanil County, that .State. .\ug. 24, 1843. and 
wail the eldest of six children, two sons and four 
daughters, comprising the family of James and 
.\nn (Waldron) Stadden. Four of these died in 
infancy, and the two besides our subject are resi- 
dents of Nebraska. The parents wore likewise na- 
tives of the Keysltme State, the Staddens of 
Holland de.scent. and the Waldrons tracing their 
anco-stry to Kngland. The imme<liate forefathers 
of our subject settled first in New .lersey. while the 
Waldrons uimn their arrival in this country t<x)k 
up their abode in Pennsylvania. 

'I'he ijaternal grandfather of our subject, .lohn 



r 



•»-HI^^ 



■•► 



556 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



Staddei), was born, reared, and spent his entire life 
in Pennsylvania. Grandfather Cornelius AV.aldron 
spent his last years in Pennsylvania. The former 
carried a musket in the War of 1812. and after lay- 
injr down liis weapons of warfare took up the im- 
plements of ai^riculture. following the peaceful 
pursuits of farm life until he was gathered to his 
fat hois, .lames Stadden. the father of our subject, 
was born .\ug. 25. 1818, in Northumberland 
County. Pa., and tlie parents were married in that 
State in 1841. The mother died in this county 
when her son .\ustin w.as a little lad ten years of 
age. Her birth occurred in 1817, a year before 
that of her husband. They emigrated to Michi- 
gan in 1814, settling first at Prairie Ronde. in Kal- 
amazoo County, wliere they lived until 1847. then 
coming to this county, located in Xottawa Town- 
ship, three miles northeast of Ccntreville. where 
the fatiier eontinueil to reside, with the exception 
of two years, until issd. He then retired from 
active lajior and took uji his abode in Centreville, 
where he n^iw lives. Their daughter. Hannah .1.. 
is the wife of .leBferson Hull, of Nebraska; and 
.George W.. the only brother of our subject, is 
bookkeejiing in t)maiia. Nel). 

.Viisiiii W. Stadden spent his boyhood d.iys after 
the manner of most farmers' sons, assistiui;- in the 
development of a new farm and acquiring his edu- 
cation in the district school. He remained a mem- 
ber of his fatlier's household until twenty-six years 
of asre. and. in 18(>!( was married to Miss JIargery 
McKercher. of Nottawa Townshi]). Mrs. St.adden 
w.as born .Tune 14. 1845. and is the daughter of 
John C. McKercher, now a resident of Nottawa 
Townsliip. Of tins union there were born two chil- 
dren, daughters. Kate and .\nna. who are now at 
home. 

Mr. :ind Mis. Stadden after their marriage set- 
tled on a farm in Florence Township, where they 
lived five years, then, coming to Centreville. our 
subject for a short time conducted a meat-market. 
This not proving entirely congenial to his tastes, 
he. in 1H77. started a hack and omnibus line, run- 
ning from Centreville to Xottawa, and in connection 
with it operated a general livery business five 
years. This latter still goes on under his super- 
vision. In Novemtier. 1886. he purcha.<ed what 



was then called the iletzgar House, of which he 
took possession on the 8th of February following. 
It is a comfortable and substantially built structure, 
comprising thirty rooms, neatly fitted up with 
everything comfortable for the traveling public. 
Mr. .Stadden is a general favorite, both in business 
and social circles, and uniformly votes the Re- 
publican ticket. In December, 1885, he was made 
Treasurer of St. Joseph County Village Fire Insur- 
ance Company, was re-elected after the expiration 
of his first term of two .years, and still holds the 
position. He is considered a man worthy to fill 
any position of trust, and is numbered among those 
who form the bone and sinew of the well-regulated 
community of Centreville. 



-•«afia'©-i@»«-^^^T..®faKJ2'3> 



JnOHN ANNIN KLINE. The pioneer ele- 
j ment of St. Joseph County is perhaps one of 
' the most interesting features of this work, 
' which was instigated b3- the reflection that 
the old settlers are passing awaj-, and it is impor- 
tant to preserve the record of their experiences dur- 
ing the first settlement of Michigan. ^Ir. Kline is 
enabled to relate an interesting tale of his earl3' ad- 
ventures in this section of counUy, to which he 
came in the autumn of 1838, the year after Michi- 
gan had been admitted into the Union as a State. 
He followed agricultural pursuits during the years 
of his active life, and after a time well spent and 
prolific of a competency, he retired from active 
labor, and is now passing the later years of his life 
at a comfortable home in Three Rivers. 

It will be well, perhaps, to commence at the be- 
ginning of the life of our sul>ject by stating that he 
was born in Seneca County, N. Y.. near Townsend- 
ville, Nov. 13, 1822. His father, Jacob U. Kline, 
was a native *>f .Somerset County, N. J., and born 
in April, 17'.»5. His paternal grandfather was David 
Kline. The mother, Mrs. Klizabeth (Annin) Kline, 
was the daughter of John Annin, Esq., a prominent 
and highly respected citizen of New Jersey, who 
traced his ancestrj' to Scotland and Holland. The 
Klines were of German descent. 

The father of our subject after his marriage set- 
tled on a farm in Seneca County. N. Y.. where he 



^^ 



■*► 



ST. JOSKl'll COUNTY, 



lived iiiilil 1838, tlieii resolved louast liis lot amung 
the pioneers of iMirhisan, Joliii being then a youth 
of sixteen years. They traveled liy steamboat to 
Detriiit. thence overhmd by wagon to (.'entrevilje, 
settling on a trad of land near Fisher's Creek. 
The father and sons erected a log house, and at 
Once began the improvement and cultivation of 
their property, which they occupied for maii^' j'cars. 
Upon leaving it they took up their abode (irst in 
Kalamazoo County, and later moved to Three 
Rivers, where the death of the father took place in 
1H()8. The mother is still living, making her home 
with her daughter, ami has nearly attained to the 
advanced age of ninety years. She is in the enjo}'- 
montof quite good health, and retains her faculties 
of mind to a remarkable degree. 

To Jacob D. and Elizabeth Kline there were born 
five children, three of whom are still living. John 
A. was the second born. He acquireil his educa- 
tion mostly in the schools of his native county, 
only pursuing his studies a short time after coming 
to Miciiigan. He continued a member of the pa- 
rental household until his marriage, and was mar- 
ried, Jan. 1, 1S.")2, to Miss Mary A., daughter of 
John an<l Jane (.Major) Mclvee. Her parents came 
to Michigan from New York State, when she was a 
small girl, and settled among the pioneers of this 
county. They are now deceiu<eil. 

After their marriage .Mr. and .Mrs. Kline settled 
at the old liomestea<l of his father; they subse- 
quently remt;ved U) Cass County, and five years 
later came to Lockport Township, this count}'. In 
the latter Mr. Kline operated the farnj of his father- 
in-law seven years, and until \XI','.). when he hail 
made such good headway that he was enabled to 
retire. In his agricultur'il (>|jerations he maile a 
specialty of buying and shipping stock, anil in the 
meantime superintended the opernlions of three 
farms, one in Cass County, the one in the vicinity 
of Centreville, and his father's homestead. The 
latter comprises 365 acres, the Cass County farm 
300 acres, and the other lOO acres. Mr. K. owns 
forty acres in Sherman Township. 

There came to the fireside of Mr. and Mrs. Kline 
in due lime four interesting children, two sons and 
two daughters, .lohn .1. o|ieraies the Cass County 
farm, and William A. is a clerk and book-kee|K'r for 



J. Grilflth. The two daughters, Helen J., the sec- 
ond child, and Kilie K., the j'oungest, remain at 
home with their parents. .Mr. Kline, politically, is 
an ardent Republican, and with his estimable wife 
and children is a member in good standing of the 
Presbyterian Church. The family residence is a 
handsome brick structure, built in modern style of 
architecture in 1883, and with its grounds and sur- 
roundings, forms one of the most complete homes 
in Three Rivers. 

-^I^^t^*-- 



//f^ IIARLES K. PERRIN. County Tre.isurer of 
ll r ^^' •'*^-'"^P'' County, is a native of this county, 
'^^S^^ having been born in .Sherman Township, 
Sept. 2. 1843. He is consequently in the prime of 
life and the midst of his usefulness. The Perrin 
family is supposed to be of French origin. Thomas 
Perrin, the great-great -great-grand father of our sub- 
ject, married a Miss Porter, ancestor of the Com- 
modore. Tl)e\' settled at or near Hebr(>n, Conn., in 
1710, where they lived and died, after rearing a 
large family. The names Thomas and Porter seem 
to have been favorite familj" names through all 
the late generations. After several generations we 
find the family located in Oranville, N. Y.. where 
lienjamin Perrin, the father of our subject, was born 
Oct. I.'i, 1814. His father having died inearly life 
Henjamin came to .Michigan with his mother's fam- 
ily in l.s3i;, while it was still a Territory. After 
they were comfortably located he returned to his 
native Stale, and on the 17th of January, 1.S3S, 
was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Lyman. 
The 3'oung couple began the journey of life to- 
gether in .Sherman Townsiiip, this county, where 
they resided for a period of seven years, then re- 
moved to the town of Park, near the present village 
of Parkville. Benjunin Perrin followed agricidture 
successfully, accumnlaling a snug fortune, and after 
laboring many years left the farm on account of 
failing health, and took up his residence in the vil- 
lagi' of Moorepark, where his death took place 
April 8, IM.si;. 

The father of our subject was a faithful Christian 
man in the highest sense of the word, and a de- 
voted meml)er of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 



_^ f ^' 



>^l^^ 



558 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



*t 



with which he wns connected for a period of thirtj' 
je.irs. Ilis fin;il illness w.ts brief luit very jiaiiifiil. 
but his heart was filled with peace an<l the lio|)e of 
everlasting life. A large concourse of relatives and 
friends' paid to him their last tribute of respect as 
his Jiiortal remains were hidden from their sight. 

To Benjamin and Louisa Perrin there were born 
three sons and two daughters, namely : AViliiam II., 
Charles E.. Lewis B. ; Mary B., now Jlrs. Coy Ilein- 
bauch, of Park Township, and Emma L., Mrs. 
MoElrath. of Moorcp.irk. The family is being per- 
petuated by numerous grandchildren and great- 
grandchildren, honored and useful members of so- 
ciet3',and most of them prominent in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

The subject of this sketch pursued his early stud- 
ies in the schools of Three Rivers and KnI.-imazoo. 
at the same time working for his board and em- 
bracing every opportunil}' for the .acquirement of 
gener.il and useful informatitin. He made his home 
at the farm until reaching his majority, then repair- 
ing to Appleton, AVis., commenced learning telegra- 
phy. He made such good progress that si.x months 
later he was given charge of the station at Des- 
plaines. 111., on the line of the Northwestern Rail- 
road. He continued there as agent and operator 
for a period of live years, in the me.anlime also of- 
ficiating as Postmaster of that village. When leav- 
ing Dcsplaines he located in Three Rivers, this 
count}', and, changing his occupation somewhat, 
engaged in the grocery and bakery business. This 
not being entirely congenial to his tastes, he secured 
a position as bill clerk with the Lake Shore & Michi- 
gan Southern Railroad Corai)an3', and took up his 
residence in Grand Rapids. Six months later we 
find him at Eaton Rapids, in charge of the ticket 
and telegraph ollice of the Michigan Central Rail- 
road, where he remained a period of eight j'ear.s. 
Thence he returned to this county, and taking pos- 
session of his residence in 1882. there resided 
until 1888. 

Mr. Perrin. on the 10th of October, 18G7, at the 
home of the bride in Lockport, this county, was 
united in marriage with Miss Clara R. Fisher, who 
was born Sept. 1. 1845, in Lockport Township, 
this county. This union resulted in the birth 
of two interesting children: Charles L.. bdrn .June 



12. 1869. and Eva M.. .Ian. 13. 1878. They are 
living at home with their parents. The farm of 
our subject comprises 100 acres of good land, which 
is highl}' productive, and upon which stands an ex- 
cellent set of frame buildings. Mr. Perrin votes 
the straight Republican ticket, and has filled the 
various local oflices. He is serving at present his 
third term as Supervisor, and with his excellent 
wife is a member in good standing of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. To this as to all other wor- 
th}' enterprises he has given a cheerful and liberal 
support. He is manifestly in favor of everything 
to improve and elevate society, and as near as he is 
able strives to follow in the footsteps of his hon- 
ored sire. Mr. Perrin was elected Treasurer of .St. 
Joseph County in 1888, since which he has moveil 
to Centreville, where he now resides. 




<Wl EVERETT A. CLAPP, President of the 
I (^ First National Bank of Centreville. is the 
/*'— ^^. subject of a busy and interesting career, and 
has a life record eminently worthy of preservation. 
He is a gentleman of fine abilities, .and has had am- 
ple experience in the business world, in which he 
has gained for himself a high position, socially and 
financially. He is a native of this county, of which 
his parents were early pioneers, and was born .hiiic 
24, 1837. • 

To Ashel and Charlotte (May) Clapp, the par- 
ents of our sidtject, there were born four sons and 
three daughters, of whom Leverett A. was the 
second son. Both Ashel Clapp and his estimable 
wife were natives of the Bay .State, the father born 
in Northampton, in 1804. and the mother in IMtts- 
field, in 1814. They were married in their native 
.State in July, 1833, .and leaving New F^ngland 
emigrated to Michigan Territory, settling first in 
Monroe County, in October. 1834. In November. 
1835. they removed to a tract of land in Mottville 
Township, this county, where they lived until the 
election of the father as Register of Deeds, in 
1854. Then, in order to enter ujion the discharge 
of his duties, he removed to Centreville, and con- 
tinued in ollice for ten consecutive years. Prior 



■♦- 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



559 ' > 



thereto tlie el<lcr Clapp ollieiiitecl as Supervisor of 
Mottville Towusliip. aail oi't-upied otlier positions 
of trust anil responsibility. 

I.envinji Centreville in 18()!>, llii'. father of our 
subject settled in White I'ijreon, where he engjigeil 
in sfeneral nierehanilisinii and bankinii^, beingsenior 
member of the tirni of \. Clapp A- Son. He wjis 
thus oeeupied until his death, whieh oeeiirred in 
November. 187l!. The wife and mother is still liv- 
inir, and resides at While I'ijfeon. Leverett A. 
spent his boyhood at Mottville, where he attended 
the district school, and later, in 18.') 1. re|>aired to 
Shelbyville. hid. as the clerk of Abrani (loble. who 
had formerly lived at Mottville, but later engaged 
in the mercantile business at Shelbyville. Our sub- 
ject remained in the latter place two years, then re- 
turned to this county, and entered the office of the 
Register of Deeds, becoming the a.ssistant of his 
father, whom he suuceeiled, being regularly elected 
to the office in 1864. 

I'pon retiring from the above-mentioned oHice 
our subject compiletl an abstract of titles of St. 
.losi'ph Countj", a work which proved of great value 
to owners of real estate. In 1872 he wjis elected 
Commissioner of the .State Land Ollice of Michi- 
gan, which iK)sition he held four years, having been 
re-elected in 1874. I'pon the organization of the 
First National Hank, at Centreville, in 187;5. he 
wius chosen a Director, and three years later was 
made its President, which position he luis since oc- 
cupied. I'nder his careful management the bank 
h.is become one of the solid institutions of the 
county, patronized by its best men. 

One of the most impf>rtant events in the life of 
.Mr. Clapp was his marriage, Dec. 6. 18(!4, with 
.Miss .Amanda K. Ilampson, who, like her husband, 
is a native of this county, and born in the village 
of Centreville. Aug. 12. 18l(i. Her parents. Henry 
W. and Mahala (Fletcher) Ilampson. were natives 
of I'ennsylvania and New York re.spectively. Of 
this union there is one chibl only, a son. Kdwin L,, 
who was bfirn Sept. 21, 18(;,'), and is now a.>>sistant 
cashier, also a meml>er of the firm of Clapp Hros. 
it Co., who conduct a banking business at .Sturgis. 

.Mr. Clapp is a man of decided opinions. Me 
W!Ls rearinl under the wing of the iiepublican l)arty, 
<if which he has lMH?n a warm adherent since his 

4* 



boyhood. .Socially, he belongs to Mt. Hermon 
Lodge No. 21. .\. F. &- \. yi.. at Centreville, al.so 
to Centreville Chapter No. 11. Royal Arch .Mitsons. 
He has held the ollicos of Wt>rshipful .Master and 
High Priest, and is a warm defender of the princi- 
ples of the fraternity. 

<| IfelLLlAM H. SNYDER. Ne.xt to lieing 
xJsJi ''•'"s^'f * pioneer the son of one justly 
\^/ss feels a pardonable pride, as in the case of 
the subject of this sketch. The thrilling scenes 
through which the early emigrant worked his way 
to success and prosperity, will ever hold their right- 
ful place in the memory of those wliu live to sur- 
vive them, and to whom their experience is one of 
the most ])recions legacies which can be left in the 
shape of a record. To pave the way for those who 
followed, to make settlement in the West a pleasure 
as well as a matter of policy, the early settlers en- 
dured and suffered much, but having passed away, 
many of them full of years and honors, they leave 
their children and their chihlreirs children, also 
strangers, to succeed them and enjoy tlie fruits of 
their toils, savings and privations. These thoughts 
frequently dwell in the mind of the subject of this 
sketch, .as he recalls the ex|)erlences allotted to his 
honored parents, who were among the very earliest 
settlers of St. Joseph County, arriving within its 
limits as early .as 1832. They were then in the 
vigor of youth and hope, and their subseipient life 
indicated how well they devoted themselves to the 
task before them. 

Henry Snyder, the father of our subject, was a 
native of Fennsylvania, and married Miss .Sarah 
Slote, who was born in the sjime Slate, her hon>e, 
like that of her husband, being in Snyder Count}-. 
The}' emigrated first to Columbia County, N. Y., 
but after a brief sojourn in the Kmpire .Stale pushed 
on further westward to this count}'. The father 
secured a tract of land in Fabius Township, where 
the family lived a number of years, then removed 
to a farm north of Three Rivei-s, where the death 
of the mother took place in October. 1840, soon 
ofer the birth of her son William IL. which occurred 
October 2 of that vear. After the death of his 



:^jU. 



■^•■ 



.J Id I 



^•^Hl--* 



ST. .lOSKlMI COUNTY. 



first wife Honrj- Snyflcr contiacterl a second niar- 
ria<re, and there were adtlccl to llie lioiiseliold circle 
fcmr more children. He die<l at tlie old liomestead 
in 1872. Mrs. Ljdia Snj-der is still living there. 
Mr. S. was a stonemason by trade, but upon com. 
ing to Michigan Territory, finiling comparatively 
little demand for his Libors in this line. tiiriie<l his 
attention mainly to agricultural pursuits. He was 
one of those men most needed in the settlement of 
a new couTitry, being generous and hospitable, 
liberal-minded, and uniformly interested in the en- 
terprises calculated to advance the interests of the 
people. By those who still live to recall bis life 
and character, his name is held in the most kindl}' 
remembrance. 

The subject of this sketch was reared araid the 
scenes of pioneer life, spending his boyhood at the 
farm, and acquiring his education under the im- 
perfect school system of that day. Upon reaching 
manhood, desiring a change of scene and occujja- 
lion, he repaired to Constantine, entering the em- 
ploy of Mr. Sheldon, and served an apprenticeship 
of three years at the tinner's trade. After reach- 
ing his majoritj' he crossed the plains to Mont;»na 
Territory-, where he first engaged in mining and 
freighting, but later became interested in livestock. 
He lemained on the frontier a period of uineyeai-s, 
then returned to Three Rivers, and since that time 
his interests have centered in this count}'. 

The 5tb of February, 1874, was an importint 
date in the life of our subject, he having on the 
evening of thatdav been married. He and his wife 
settled soon afterward on a farm in Fiibius Town- 
ship, where they lived until removing to that which 
the}' now occupy. This latter comprises sixty-two 
acres of prime land, which has been brought to a 
fine state of cultivation, and which is largely de- 
voted to stock-raising. The fine residence now oc- 
cupied by them was put up in 1883, and is one of 
the handsomest brick structures in Three Rivers. 
It is two stories in height, handsomely finished and 
furnished, and the object of admiration to all who 
view it. 

As a stock-raiser Mr. Snyder has made for him- 
self an enviable reputation in this part of the county, 
being interested in blooded horses, and is the owner 
of the celebrated roadster ''Mexican Chief," an 



^=!?5EORUE A. K. COOKE. 
'll ,-^ sketch was born in Belvi 
^3^ N. J., Feb. 8, 184i>, and 



animal of remarkably' fine points. Mr. S.. however, 
ileals more exteiisiveh' in cattle than horses, mak- 
ing a specialty of calves, and shipping to Chicago. 
Our subject in politics during the years of his 
I early manhood ntliliated with the Democratic i)arty. 
but since the war he has been mostlj' a Cireenl.acker. 
Both he and bis estimable wife are identified with 
the Reformed Church at Three Rivers. Mrs. Sny- 
der was born in this count}', and was reared to 
womanhood at her father's homestead here. Of her 
union with our subject there were born two children, 
who are deceased. 



I EORG E A. B. COOKE. The subject of this 
•idere. Warren Co.. 
is the eldest son of 
Jiseph and Sarah A. (Bowman) Cooke, the latter a 
si.sler of .John H. Bowman, one of the earliest set- 
tlers of Three Rivers. The parents of our subject 
moved from New Jersey to Washington, Pa., in 
1848, where the father, a stanch old-line Whig, was 
engaged in the publication of the Washington Chm- 
7«c<»nceo/f/t until the year 1853. when he removed 
to Waynesburg. Greene Co.. Pa., and began the pub- 
lication of the AVayncsburg Eagle, continuing the 
same for several years. In the fall of 1862 he en- 
listed in the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry, for three 
years; was captured during his service by the Con- 
federates, and spent six months in Andersonville 
Prison. In 1805 he received the appointment of 
Postmaster at Waynesburg, and held the olHce con- 
tinuously until 1884, where he still resides. 

Of the six children born to the parents of our 
subject, George A. B. was the eldest. He attended 
the common schools during his boyhood, and when 
a lad of nine years began learning the printer's 
trade under the instruction of his father. He con- 
tinued at work in his choseu occupation until the 
second year of the war. in August, 18C2. when he 
enlisted in the nine-months service as a private of 
Company H, 123d Pennsylvania Infantry, serving 
out his time, and taking part in the battles of An- 
tielam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He 
was mustered out in May, 1863, as Fourth Sergeant, 
and in June of that same year made his way west- 





4 



-4•- 



ST. .lUSEl'H COUNTY. 



.)f.l I , 



WHr.l ti) this comily, taking up his ahoflo in Throe 
Uivcis. In llie full of that year lie becaino fore- 
man in the ollice of the Three Rivers Reporter, 
which was then conrlncled by CInte Bros., witli 
whom he continued nntil November. 1S6H. 

.Mr. Cooke now entered into partnership with \\. 
\l. Cliite, and they oiMjrated togetlier under the firm 
name of W. H. Clutc it Co., nntil the 1st of Janu- 
ary. 187fi, when Mr. Cooke retired. After spend- 
ine; several months among old friends in the Kast. 
and at his olil home in Pennsylvania, he returned 
to Three Rivers, and in July, 1877. established a 
job printinjr-ofHce. which wa# followed the year 
after, in August. 1878, by the first issue of the 
Three Rivers Tri/iune, which was projected in the 
interest of the principles of the Republican party, 
the field being vacant by reason of the apostasy of 
the Three Rivers Repnrler to the Greent)ack part}' 
several years before. The Tribune has since con- 
tinued a livel}' expounder of these principles, and 
is now one of the solid institutions of the county. 
The Tribune is a forty -eight column sheet, neatly 
printed and ably edited, and the job department is 
well equipped with steam-power presses and all the 
other facilities for executing first-cliiss work. The 
plant was located in the Prutzman Block. .St. Joseph 
street, until its removal in May. 1888. to the tliree- 
storj- brick building on Penn street, formerly known 
as the McMurtrie Block, of which Mr. Cooke is now 
\A\e owner. 

Miss Sarah M. Rice, of Trueksville, Luzerne 
Co., Pa., became the wife of our subject Feb. 
23, 1870, the wedding taking place at the bride's 
home. Their only surviving child is a daughter, 
Florence E., who was born June 3, 1878. 



-t-Hg.=3>0^-M- 



^ IIRl.STIAN J. SCHAFKR. The manufact- 
(|[^- uring interests of a great country l>ear no 

^^/ unini|>ortant part in its growth, its wealth 
and iUs pros|(erily. .Vgricullure, which is usually 
IteguD in the settlement of a new section, cannot 
Ik' prosecutwl profitably without the implement-* 
furnished by the mechanii' and arti.ian. 'J'he man 
whom nature has endowed with natural genius in 
the handling of \x\o\» is an individual holding no 



secondary position in the building up of towns anil 
cities, and he who has shown his intelligence l)v 
excelling in this department of labor is amply 
worthy of mention in noting the progress of a .State 
or county. 

The subject of this sketch, foreman of the v;(»><\ 
department of the Roberts k Tliropp Manufactur- 
ing Comi)any. of Three Rivers, belongs to that na- 
tionality which h!U< borne such an important part 
in developing the resources of America, and espe- 
cially those of the Great West. \ native of Ger- 
many, he was born at Frankfort on the Main, 
.\pril 6. 1833. and is the son of George and Ja- 
nette (Loft) Schafer. the father also of substantial 
German ancestry. Their family consisted of eight 
children, and Christian J. spent the first eighteen 
years of his life in his native country, receivin'j a 
thorough education in the (iernlan tongue, attend- 
ing school from the age of six to fourteen years. 
He then began an apprenticeship at the tr.ade of a 
carriage-maker, at which he served faithfully four 
3'ears. receiving his board, but no clothing, for his 
.services. In addition to this his father had been 
reipiired to pay ii.')() for the privilegeof having him 
learn the trade. 

Young Schafer not being satisfied with his condi- 
tion or his pros|)ects upon his native soil, resolved 
at an early period of his life to seek his future 
home in .\meriea. As soon as completing his 
tr.iile. bidding adieu to the friends and associations 
of his youth, he embarked on a vessel at Havre. 
France, and sixty -two days later wa.s landed in the 
1 city of St. Louis. Mo. Thence he proceiMle^I to 
Belleville, 111., a few miles east of the .Mississippi, 
and was employed by the firm of Cyrus Roberts, 
Cox it Co.. with whom he rem:iine<l until they re- 
moved to Three Rivers, tliis .State. Mr. Schafer 
accomi)anied them here, and since that time has 
occupied his pre.-sent |>osition with them. He un- 
derstands full^' the making of patterns, and, in 
short, is an adept at the whole business, while .it 
the same time a prompt, reliable an<l industrious 
man, who has made himself useful to his employers. 

Our subject was married, in 18.')7, to Miss Mary 
II. -Vsh. who is a native of Michigan, and the 
daughter of .lam.'s and Jane .Vsh. To Mr. .and 
Mrs. .Schafer there have been born four children. 



■•►' 



f 



^ii^K-* 



oC2 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



tliree sons and one (laughter, namely: George. 
Nettie .1., Earl P. and ( )ra. The two youngest 
boys are carrying on a farm of eighty acres, the 
property of tlicir father, wliicli is well stocked and 
thoroughly improved. Erom this the family en- 
joy a handsome income, and it is the source of many 
a comfort and luxury to the household. Their 
town residence is a neat one, and beneath its hos- 
pitable roof they frequently welcome the many 
friends whom they have made during their sf)journ 
here. 

„^ AliDEN SAlilN. M. I). Ccntreville has 
III |V seemed a point of attraction for numbers 
of i^rofesslonal men — men, too. of more 
than ordinary ability. The medical pro- 
fession is amply represented, and has no more 
worthy or popular member than tiie subject of this 
sketch. His services as a physician and surgeon 
have been most generously recognized by the peo- 
ple of tills county, among whom he enjoys an ex- 
tensive and lucrative business. 

The native place of Dr. Sabin was the village of 
Orland. Steuben Co.. Ind., where he was born Jan. 
2. 1840. The eldest of a family of five children, 
he is the son of Stephen C. and Martha M. (Stocker) 
Sabin. who were both natives of Vermont, the fa- 
ther born June 7, 1812, and the mother, whose 
childhood home wa.s near Jamaica, Jan. 9, 1819. 
Stephen C. Sabin was a carpenter by trade, whicii 
he followed during the jears of his early manhood 
and for a time after his removal to the West. The 
parents left New England in 183(5. taking up their 
abode in Steuben County, Ind.. where the elder 
Sabin became prominent in political affairs, holding 
various |x>sitions of trust and resjionsiliility, and wa.s 
finally elected to the Indiana Legislature, in which 
position be served four terras. The parents both 
lived at the old homestead in the Iloosier State 
until three years ago, since which time they have 
lived with this son. The mother has suffered from 
total blindne.ss for the last nine years. 

To the parents there were born five children, 
four sons and one daughter, onl.v two of whom are 
living, our subject and ids brother Oscar ('.. who 
is book-keeper and cashier in a wholesale jewelry 



establishment in Chicago. HI., with which he has 
lieen connected for tiie last ten years. Marden. 
our subject, spent his boyhood .and youth mostly 
at the farm of his father in Steuben County. Ind., 
pursuing his first studies in the common school. 
He took kindly to his liooks. making good progress, 
and later became a student at Orland Seminary, 
where lie prepared liimself for college. In 18;V.) 
he entered the Michigan rnivcrsity. passing 
through the Eresiiman. So|>honiore and Junior 
years, and undergoing a successful examination for 
the Senior year. During the interval of his return 
home to spend his vacation, there came a call for men 
to assist ill putting down tiie Hebellion. and young 
Sabin. laying aside his personal plans and interests, 
enlisted as a Union soldier in Comp.any B, 100th 
Indiana Infantry. He was made a Sergeant upon 
the organization of the company, and soon after- 
ward they were sent to Memphis, Tenn.. where 
(jen. (irant was organizing troops preparatory to 
the assault upon Vicksburg. The 100th Indiana 
spent the winter following in Tennessee, then 
p.assed down the Mississippi River to take part in 
the siege of Vicksburg. They joined the command 
of Oen. iSliernian. engaged in the siege of A'icks- 
burg until its surrender, and later joined in tlie 
pui-suit of the rebel General. .Johnston, operating 
around Vicksburg until Augu.st, 1863. Thence 
they returned to Mem])his and crossed the country 
to Chattanooga, taking part afterward in the battli> 
of ^fission Ridge. Later our subject participated 
in the siege of Knoxville, and was in the Atlanta 
campaign, after which he marched with the troops 
of Gen. Sherman to tiie sea. This expedition 
ended, they moved up tlirough the Carolinas to 
Washington, taking part in the gi\and review, and 
being mustere<l out in June. 180;"). at the capitol 
city. 

In the meantime our subject had been promoted 
to Fifth Sergeant. Sergeant !Major, later to First 
Lieutenant, and in June, I8G1, to Captain. His 
army record was creditable in the extreme, and is 
one eminently worthy of preservation. I'lion re- 
tiring tlierefroni. Cajit. Sabin resuinwl the study of 
medicine with Dr. John Bennett, of Centreville. 
■wlio W!U< during the time appointed Professor of 
•■The Theorv and Practice of ^ledicine," in tlie 



:?^rf^ 



-<*• 



ST. .lOSEPII COUNTY. 






563 < * 



Cleveland .Medieal Coileije. With liiiii lie read 
nit'iiiciiH' two ye.'irs. and in tlie nienntiine took u 
t'our.-i- of lectures in liie nieilieal de|)!irtnu'nt of the 
Miehijran rniversity; al!<o nuotiier in the Cleve- 
jaiiil Me<lii-al Colle<je. from wliieh he was >rra(lunle<l 
in Keliruarv, lH(i7. Later he otlleiated .is Demon- 
strator of .Vnatomv in a s])rinir course in tlie 
(levelanil Colletre. and sojourned tliere with Dr. 
Bennett until .luly. IK()7. Dr. .Sahin now re- 
turned to Centreville and iissoeiated liimself with 
Dr. (ieorsie .M. Trowliridge, with whom he con- 
tinued in jiartnership for a period of ten years, and 
since that time Dr. Saliin has operated siiifrh' and 
alone. 

The '2M of .M;iy. 1H(;7. witncsseil the marriage 
of our subject with Miss Mary M.. daughter of the 
late Judge P. M. Smith, of the Fourth .ludicial 
District. Jlrs. Sabin wjus born in LeRoy. N. Y.. 
.May 2.3. 1846. and came with her parents to this 
county when a child three years of age. They are 
the parent* of two children, a sou and daughter, 
Leland H. and Kdna 15. Dr. Sabin gives the most 
of liis time and attention to the practice of his 
profession, and keeps him.self well jwsted ujwn 
mo<lern theories and methods of practice. l.)eing a 
close student and an extensive reader. Me thus 
has little time to give to politics, but usually votes 
with the Republican i)arty. lie has served on the 
School Hoard for a periwl of twenty years, has 
been President of the \'illage Hoard several terms, 
and in religious matters he and his estimable wife 
are worthy members of the Haptist Church, in which 
our subject otiiciates as Deacon. lie also belongs 
to the (1. A. H., in which organization he has been 
Post Commander three years. 

!^ AMCKL CRO.SS, Secretary of St. Joseph 
Counly Village Fire Insurance Compan)', 
makes his hendqunrlers at Centreville, and 
has maintained a lifelong interest in this 
section of couiitr}-, having liecn born in what is 
now Branch County, near the present site v>f Cold- 
water, Dee. 31, 1X33. lie was reareil to man's es- 
tate amid the scenes of pioneer life in Michigan, and 
his early training was such as wa.< calculated to 




H^t*: 



d<!velop the best points of a character naturally 
strong and self-reliant. He has had ample experi- 
ence in the business world, and in connection with 
the duties of his present position is acquitting him- 
self in a satisfactory manner to all concerned. 

Next in interest to a man's own personality is tli:it 
of those from whom he drew his origin. William II. 
an<l Nancy I,. (Landon) Cross, the parents of our 
subject were natives of Tompkins County,. N. Y., 
and .Samuel was the eldest of their five children and 
the only son. There consequently clustered around 
him man}' hopes and expectations which it wonhl be 
safe to presume have in a large measure been ful- 
filled. William Cross traced his ancestry to Ireland, 
lie came to Michigan at an early age and after his 
marriage, which took place in Lenawee County, set- 
tled near Tccumsch. where he sojourned a short time 
with his family, and then removed to Branch 
County, of which they were residents quite a long 
period. The father of our subject put up the first 
warehouse in Hillsdale County along the line of the 
Lake Shore <fe Alichigan Southern Railroad, anil was 
thereafter engaged extensively in the grain trade, 
being also Commissioner. 

The father of our subject decided in 1842 u> 
change his residence to this county, and settling 
first in Leonidas Township engagerl in general 
merchandising in connection with other enterprises. 
He constructed a dam across the St. Joseph River 
where he put up a sawmill, the operations of which 
he superintended until 18,50. Next we find him 
journeying overland to California, where he entered 
the mines, spent seven 3"cars, and then returned to 
Leoniilas with a snug sum of money. 

William Cross was bound to make his mark 
wherever he located, and soon after returning to 
this county he became interested in politics, and 
was electetl Judge of the Probate Court, which 
position he liehl a period of twelve years. He re- 
tired from this office with his health much impaired, 
and died at his home in Centreville in October, 
1886. The wife and mother is still living, making 
her home on the old homestead. The children are 
all residents of St. Joseph County. 

Samuel Cross pursued his first studies in the pub- 
lic schools at Coldwater, and began his ex|)erieuce 
in the business world as a clerk in the dry-goo<is and 



h 



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:c-a. ..^».>i.i.. 



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aait wmm OB- -"aficr as a. cierk 

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AfDer narnaise^ lexvinz 3 fa. w WagiMtA. die oar- 

'aiiBiitf oar job jeet denied acPXBisSS. Oneida Co_ 

T— w i i eie ifa^ ^oiE die nmaniiier of tkar 

'ner 'SimiT' :«>a«90ef{ ')f fnor e&ibban. , ', 



k 



-<*• 



ST. .JOSEPH roUNTY. 



565 



.John B., wlio was the thin! cliild. and liis three sis- 
ters. Of these liitter Nam-y is still iiviiifr; Amoret 
rlieil at the asje of sixty-four years; Kiizalieth is 
still living. .John H. spent his boyhood mainly in 
attendanee at the viliaire seh(K>l. and entereil xiyxm 
his Imsiness eareer a few years later as clerk in a 
store in Rochester, where he remained until 185(1. 
He tlien went to Dansville. Livingston County, and 
W!is similarly oeeupietl live years. 

In 1855 our sulije<'t became a traveling salesman 
for Hradiier. Smith iV Co.. paper manufacturers and 
dealers, Chicago, 111. lie contimied with this firm 
two years in that capacity, and wju* then sent to 
Three Rivers, as their agent at that place, remain- 
ing in their emi)loy until embarking in business on 
his own account. He was desirous of engaging in 
mercantile pursuits, and with this end in view be- 
came the partner of Moore. Ha.ssett A- Co., de.ilers 
in gentlemen's furnishing goods, boots, shoes and 
clothing. His time w.is thus occupied until the out- 
break of the Civil War, when he laid .nside his per- 
sonal plans and interests and enlisted as a Union 
soldier in the ■2.")th Michigan Infantry. r|M>n the 
organization of the com|>any ho was elected First 
Lieutenant, and soon thereafter they were detailed 
to Louisville. Ky.. and .•issigne<l to the command 
of Col. Mundy, in the 1st Brig.ide. 2d Division and 
2;id .\rmy Corps. In August t>f that year they 
were ordered to cross the Cumlierland Mountains in 
Tennessee, where they Ifecame identified with (ien. 
Hurnside's army. 

Lieut. Handy was again the ol>jectof promotion, 
and we find him. in 18(>4, t^uarterm.aster of the 
regiment, which i>r>»ition he held until mustere<l 
out of servitv at Salisbury, N. ('.. in 1805. I'jxjn 
his retirement from tiie army he returne<l to Three 
Rivers, and was apjx tinted Postal Clerk of the Lake 
Shore iV Michigan Southern R;iilroad. o|H'rating be- 
tween Chicago and Toledo fora |K»ri»Ml of six years. 
In .June, 1875, he was appointifl the Postnuister at 
Three Rivers, which otlice he held for a (H^riixl of 
thirteen years. Having this record, little iipo<is to 
be ,ndde<i concerning his efficiency and fidelity to 
duty. 

Mr. Handy remained a Iwchelor until quite late 
in life, having nearly reached his forty-second year 
when he was married. His wife was born in School- 



craft, Mich., and is the daughter of .lohn A. and 
Sarah Lfmiis<»n. .Sjie had been previously married, 
by which marriage she w.as the mother of one child 
of her union with our subject there are none. The 
twain live comfftrtably at a neat home in the 
northeastern part of the city, and enjoy the com- 
panionship of hosts of friends. Mr. Handy is now 
the traveling agent of the Aspinwall Manufactur- 
ing Company at Three Itivers; he is also Reg- 
ister of Deeds. 



-^^ 



,.; I L L I A AI A R N K Y . The h istory of any sec- 
'ij tion of country is inseparable from that of 
J/^S its people, and especially its pioneer set- 
tlers. The sturdy spirits who dared the dangers 
and difficulties of the wildeniess are i>a.ssiiig away, 
but they will not be forgotten; on the contrary, 
there is a greater eflfort than ever being m.ide to 
|>eriK*tuate their names and the record of their 
labors. A man wlio to-d.iy can call himself the son 
of a pioneer occupies an enviable position among 
his fellows, and to the comparatively few early 
settlers of St. .loseiih County who still survive 
there arc extended the reverence and re*i)e<-t which 
man naturally feels for the jx-culiar character which 
has bei'U formed amid scenes which are now ini|N>s- 
sible of repro<Iucti<m. The m<ist we <'an do for 
these is to preserve in biographical form the tale 
of their early toil and struggles, also their triumphs, 
a tale which will l>e read with wonder .ind admira- 
tion by the firesitles of the future. 

.\s one who looked ujxin .Mii'higjin in its Terri- 
torial days, we present with satisfaction the name 
of Mr. .Vrney. who is now living n-tired from active 
laliorat a handsome ami comfortalile home in Three 
Rivers. .\ prwluct of New England, he wjis born 
in Essex County, Vt...Iune 1. 1812. and is thus over 
seventy -six years old. His parents were .lohn .nnd 
Ruth (Schoff) .Vmey. of English and Oennan an- 
cestry respectively. When William was a little lad 
of alviut six yi>ars the parents removed to Colum- 
bia County, Pa., .settling near Korwick, where they 
S|)ent a numN-r of years, then change<i their resi- 
dence to the coal regions at Pottsvine. 

In the fall of 18;<.i. when our subject was k 



V 






M^ 



■•► 



.t 



56tj 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



X rio 



young man of twentj'-one years, the family all 
came to Mit-iiiiran, settling on a tract of wild land 
in what is now Lofkport Township, this county. 
The trail of the Indian was still faintly seen, and 
their white neighbors were few. The father and 
.sons prosecuted agriculture after the primitive 
metliods of that day. and succeeded in building up 
a comfortable homestead. Their property lay in 
that part of the county wliich is now Lockport 
Townshi|), .and there the parents spent the re- 
mainder of their lives, the mother passing away in 
1 «.">((. and tlie fatlier surviving twenty-one }'ears, 
dying in 1877. Their family consisted of three 
sons and one daughter, of whom William was the 
eldest; the sister makes iier home in Three Rivers. 

Our subject received a common-school education 
in the State of Pennsylvania, being largely under 
the instruction of his father, who, having Ijy an acci- 
dent lost one of his hands, was employed much of 
the time thereafter as a teacher. Upon coming to 
Michigan young Arnev assisted in the opening up 
of the new farm, and remained a member of the 
parent.al household for six years thereafter. Then, 
desirous of establishing a fireside of his own. he was 
married, in his twenty -seventh year, to Miss Emeline 
Smith, and came to this county early in life. The 
young peoi)le liegan housekeeping in a very modest 
dwelling, on a tract of new land which our subject 
took up from the Government, but five years later 
he was called upon to suffer a great affliction in the 
death of liis wife, who passed away leaving two 
cliildren. one of whom died in infancy. The sur- 
vivor, a daugliter, Kmily, is married and a resident 
of New York State. 

Air. Arney. in tiie spring of 18 42. contracted a 
second mtitrinionial alliance, with Mrs. Mary A. 
(Lewis) Ash, widow of George Ash, and daughter 
of Charles Lewis. Slie was a n.ative of New York 
State. Our subject continued to occupy his farm, 
which lay in Fabius Township, the long period of 
forty years. It embraced IGO acres. By years of 
indaistry and economy Mr. Arney succeeded in 
bringing the soil to a good state of cultivation and 
putting up the requisite farm buildings. lie raised 
large quantities of wheat, whicli he found to be a 
profitable crop, and continued to operate as an ag- 
riculturist until 18Hn. when advancing vears ad- 



^t^^W^^^^^*:^^ 



c 



OL. NORMAN S. ANDREAVS. This late 
highly respected resident of Three Rivers 
was born in Monroe County, N. Y., Nov. 
24, 1824, and departed this life at his home in the 
pliice above mentioned. May 5, 1882, after a brief 
illness from pneumonia. He was therefore at the 
time of his decease aged fifty-seven years, five 



vised him it would be wise to retire. Selling his 
farm he removed to Three Rivers, of which he has 
since been a resident. 

Nine children comprised the family of our sub- 
ject by his present wife, five sons and four daugh- 
ters. Their eldest, Daniel L., is a resident of 
Sturgis; Charles W. enlisted as a soldier in the 
Union Army during the late war, and died in Ten- 
nessee; Mary is the wife of John .Machin. a resident 
of Kansas; Frances J. married William Machin, and 
lives in this county; John W. .and Edgar J. hold 
the honorable positions of ministers in the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church; Sarah E. married William 
Ritchie, and they live in Three Rivers; Ruth A. is 
the wife of Frank Ritchie, of Hig Rapids, this 
State. 

Up to the time of the Reliellion Mr. Arney had 
affiliated with the Democratic parly. He was then 
convinced that he was on the wrong side of the 
fence, and wheeled into the Republican ranks, in 
wiiich he has done efficient service as o|iportiiniiy 
has occurred. He and his excellent wife identi- 
fied themselves with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in 1840. In this Mr. A. has been a chief 
pillar, holding its various offices, officiating .as 
Clas.s-Leader, and occupying other positions of 
trust in connection tlierewith. He is well versed in 
the histor}' of Methodism, of which lie lias made 
quite an extended written record. Although having 
more than numbered his threescore and ten years, 
he is still hale and hearty, and an admirable exam- 
ple of a life of temperance and good habits, and 
possesses a rich experience of life among the early 
settlers of St. Joseph County. He is one of those 
honored men whose names will be held in kindly 
remembrance long after they have been gathereil to 
their fathers. 



\ 




4^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNT 1'. 



•«»* 



567 



inoiitlis and eleven rla3-s. Nature had endowed him 
with more than ordinary capac-ilies and fine tastes, 
and at an early age lie acquired a knowledge of 
surveying and civil engineering, at which he he- 
came very proficient, having few equals and ijerhajw 
no superior in the State of Michigan. 

Col. Andrews came to While I'igpou as early as 
1851, as it is known that he assisted in platting 
Sargent's addition to that town in that year. In 
18,')2 he was an engineer on the Eel River Valley 
Railroad, and during that j-ear also he accepted a 
position with the Michigan Southern. During that 
and the next year this road was located holwcen 
White Pigeon and Schoolcraft. Col. Andrews was 
employcil at one time on the Air Line, and in his 
duties as engineer operated on railroads in Illinois 
and Wisconsin, and probably other States. Our 
subject was married after twenty-eight years of age, 
in December, 1852, to Miss Martha Carlile, step- 
daughter of Elias S. Swan, of White Pigeon, and 
with his wife took up his abode in Three Rivers in 
1856. His talents and his industry' received a 
ready recognition, and in the fall of this year he 
was elected Count}' Surveyor of St. .Jose])h County 
for a term of two years. When his term expired he 
was re-elected for another term, which closed Dec. 
31, 1861. 

Being a man of sterling patriotism Mr. Andrews, 
on the 15th of October, 1861, responded to bis 
country's call for men, enlisting in Battery F, 1st 
.Michigan Artillery, with thirty others, and vias 
chosen .Itinior First Lieutenant. His brother, .lohn 
S. Amlrews, of Coldwater, was selected as Captain, 
and the coni|mn3" thus gathered together w.as known 
as the Andrews Batter}'. It was mustered into the 
service of the United Siati-s .Ian. '.», 1862. and ex- 
|)erienced some of the ni(i«t terrible vicissitudes of 
warfare. 

During it> I'vciiUiil ciircir lliis battery p:irtici- 
jyated actively in the bntlh-s of Richmond, Ky., 
Rcsaca. Lost .Mountain. Atlanta, Nashville and 
many others. In the year 1864 Mr. Andrews assisted 
in the organization of the 12tli United .States 
Colored Artillery, and was appointed its Colonel 
.Iidy 24. His 9U|>erior skill as an engineer attract- 
ing attention, he was appointed Chief Engineer, 
with (he rank of Colonel, on the »Laflf of .Mnj. Gen. 



Burbridge. commanding the Department of Ken- 
tuck.v, which position he held until he was hon- 
orably mustered out of the service, .Inly 19. 1865. 

The soldierlj- qualities of Col. Andrews, .is had 
been those of his private life, were of the highest 
order. After the war, in 1866. he was appointed 
by President .lohuson United St-ites Marshal for 
the E.astern District of Michigan, during the mem- 
orable conflict between the President and the Senate. 
There were a number of Democratic aspirants for 
the position, more than one of whom had received 
executive recognition, only to be rejected by the 
Senate. Col. Andrews, having some inlluciitial 
Democratic friends who interceded with the Presi- 
dent, his appointment was secured, and received 
promj)t coiilirmation. In 1868, however, when a 
new administration assumed control, the Johnson 
appointments were all supplanted, and Mr. Amlrews 
returned once more to private life. 

In 1874 Col. Andrews w.as again elected to the 
office of County Surveyor, which position he held 
continuously, with the exception of one term of 
two years, up to the time of his death. He had. we 
are tohl. a very thorough knowledge of law. at one 
period in his life practiced as an attorney, and was 
regarded as an able a<lvocate. He platted and 
mappeil out a number of villages, among them 
Three Rivers, and chaft«>d the lirst map of this vil- 
lage m.ade after its consolidation, and which still 
continues in general use. 

|j lilLLIA.M (i. ( A I.I )WKI.I,. manager of what 
\sJi was formerly the Three Rivers Mills, and 
'K^xy what is now the Emery Flouring Mills, is 
favorably known among the Imsiness interests of 
the city. .\ native of the State of Penn.sylvania, 
he was born near Danville, in what was then Co- 
lumbia, but is now .Montour County. Aug. ."Ml. 1831. 
His parents. .Samuel and Jane ((Singles) Caldwell, 
were natives of the same State, and the offspring of 
.Scotch-Irish ancestry. 

Samuel Caldwell was reared to farming pursuits, 
and followed these his entire life. William C. was 
also reared a farmer's 1k)V. and |)ursued his first 
studies in the flistrict school. Later he attended 



h 



-4^ 



56» 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



=^ 



Danville Seminarv. and after pursuing his studies 
two years in this institrition eoninienced teachinsr. 
lie thus spent one winter, then engaged as clerk in 
the Montour Iron Works. After one year there he 
migrated, in 1852, to this State, locating in Flower- 
field, St. Joseph County, where, changing his oc- 
cupation somewhat, he labored as a carpenter and 
millwriglit, and thus operated for sever.al years. 
This proved a valuable experience, as he .acquired 
a thorough knowledge of the machinery belong- 
ing to flouring-mills, He subseiiuently estab- 
lished in Three IJivers, eng.aged in the manu- 
facture of sash, doors and blinds, at which he was 
occupied until the summer of IH.jfi. Then selling 
out, lie identified his interests with tliose of Twitch- 
ell & Swartout, the firm name becoming Caldwell, 
Twitcliell it Co. They enuiiged in foundry work 
and the manufacture of .agricultural implements for 
two years. Our subject then purchased the inter- 
est of Jlr. Green in the sash. door, blind and lum- 
ber l)usiiiess. and in connection with .1. W. Arnold 
and L. T. Wilcox, operated extensively until 1876. 
At this time Mr. Wilcox sold liis interest to Arnold 
& Caldwell, and the l)usincss was thus prosecuted 
until the ilcath of .Mr. Arnold. Our subject then 
became sole proprietor, and operated alone until 
188"2. when he sold out his stock and rented llie 
l)r()peity. 

The year following his withdrawal from the 
above business. Mr. Caldwell took charge of the 
rebuilding .and remodeling of what is now the 
Emery .Alills. and upon its coni|)letion became man- 
ager. These mills contain a complete roller sys- 
tem, with a capacity of 500 barrels in twenty-four 
hours, making a very su[)erior article of Hour. Mr. 
P^inery. the owner of the mill, and a thorough busi- 
ness man. is a resident of Bradford County, Pa. 
The implicit confidence which he placed in Mr. 
Caldwell is a fiattering commendation to the pniise- 
worthy manner in which this business was con- 
ducted. 

The 28th of December, 1858. witnessed the mar- 
riage of our subject to Miss ^lartha A. Wilcox, 
who was born in Jefferson County. N. Y.. in Xo- 
veml)er. 1811. Mrs. Caldwell is the daughter of 
Peter and Mary Wilcox, who were natives of New 
York, and are now dead. The family consisted of 

<• 



six children. To our subject and his excellent 
wife tlierc liave been born two daughters, the elder 
of whom, ^label, is the wife of Lewis M. Miller, a 
merchant of K.ansas City, Mo.; Jessie married John 
F. Drinklc. a dealer in hard and soft coal at Kansas 
City. 

Mr. Caldwell, politicallj-, is rather conservative 
in his views, does not desire t>flice. but labors ener- 
getically for the election of his friends. In early 
manhood he belonged to the Republican party, and 
later atfiliated with the Greenbackors. He has 
served one terra as M.ayor of the city, and two 
terms as Alderman. Sociall}', he belongs to Three 
Rivers Lodge No. 57. and Chapter No. 29, A. F. iV 
A. M. 



jll (=, ville of over 
'^^il penter by trai 



^^J^EORGE YAUNEY', a resident of Centre- 
rer thirt3' years' standing, a car- 
rade and a skilled workman, the 
evidences of whose genius maj' be seen in number- 
less buildings in this town and vicinity, wisely re- 
tired from active labor in 1882, and is now enjoy- 
ing the comforts of a pleasant home in the western 
part of the citj-. He came to Michigan Territory- 
in 1841. when a young man twenty-three vears of 
age. and has watched with warm interest the growth 
and developraentof his adopted county. He formed 
one of those resolute and persevering spirits whicii 
dill not allow themselves to be disni.ayeil b}' any 
or(linary difficulties, but battled with the elements 
of a new country and came out of the conflict with 
flying colors. 

The main i)oints in a life history of more than 
usual interest are esseiitialh' as follows: Our sub- 
ject was born in the village of Ephratali. In what 
was then Montgomery Countj*. but is now Fulton 
County, N. Y.. May 16, 1813. It will thus be seen 
that be is a veteran of nearl}- sevent3'-six j'ears. 
His father, Henry Y'aune^', was born in Johnstown. 
N. Y'.. .Sept. 11, 1779, and met his death by an in- 
jury received while riding a fractious horse, being 
thrown violently .against the pommel of the saddle, 
with f.ital results. 

The Yauney family is of German ancestry, and 
the first representatives in America settled in the 
State of New Jersey. There Henry Y'auney. the 



■♦■ 



•9^ 



ST. JO.SKPH COUNTY. 



a6"J ' ' 



paternal grand fatlier of our suhjeet. was born Sept. 
i:!, I74tt. He was llie .-iccdnd sdii of Christian Yau- 
noy, wlio was liuni in Ai.-.'ict', near tlii" city ofStras- 
biirg, (lorniany. Tiie m(<tlier of our subject was in 
her girlhood Miss Klizabeth Allen, a native of Co- 
lumbia County, N. Y. She was born June 24, 17S3, 
and was the daughter of Daniel Allen, a scion of 
a fine old family of Providence, R. I., and of En- 
jjlisli ancestry. The)" were related to the Spooner 
family', which emigrated to America in 1600, prior 
to the advent of the Pilgrim Fathers. The parents 
of our subject, after their marriage, settled in Mont- 
gomery Countj', N. Y., where the father was cut 
down in his prime, when his son George, our sub- 
ject, was but three years of age. The widowed 
mother with her four children resided in New York 
State until the year 183C, then coming to Michi- 
gan, located near Centreville, and was afterward 
married to Dr. S. Cumraings. Of her second mar- 
riage there were also born four children, and the 
mother died in 1859. The chililren of the two 
marriages are now eight in number. 

The earl}- years of our subject were spent in his 
native county, where he mastered the branches of 
the common school, and at the age of twenty years 
went to St. Jobnsville, where he learned the car|>en- 
try trade, and where he met his fate in the person 
of .Miss Catherine Klock, to whom he was married 
in 1837. Mrs. Yanney was born in St. .lohnsville, 
N. Y., ,hine C, 18IG.an<l lived there until her mar- 
riage. Four 3-ears later, in the fall of lH41.they 
came to this county and settled on a tract of new 
land in the vicinity of Three Rivers, which he 
brought to a good state of cultivation, and upon, 
which he erected goo<1 buildings. They continued 
to occupy this until 1H.').5, then changed their place 
of residence to Centreville. where Mr. Yauney gave 
his attention almost exclusively- to bis trade, which 
he followe<l successfully until 18S-2. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there were 
born three children, one son and two daughters. 
The s<m, Charles K.,die<l in 185-2, at the age of ten; 
Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, is the wife of ,Iobn 
S. Majors, of Centreville; Charlotte F;. is at home 
with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Yauney have trav- 
eled the jtiurney of life together for over fiftj- years, 
and celebrated their golden we<lding in February, 



I 1887. The)' are remarkably well preserved, and 
, are a most worthy and excellent couple, who by 

their consistent Christian lives have drawn around 

them hosts of friends. Hoth are members in goud 
I standing of the Dutch Reformed Church. 

Jlr. Yauney cast his first Presidential vote for 

Martin Van Buren, and since the organization of 
I the Republican party has been a stanch supporter 

of its principles. He has been content to live the 
I life of a quiet and unobtrusive citizen, having no 
I ambition for official honors, although in his school 

district he has made himself useful as a member of 

the board fur several years. 

UGIl 1'. STEWART. The subject of this 
sketch, at present one of the leading at- 
torneys in the count)', began life in the 
township of Lockport, in this county, in 
.luly. 1856. His youth was passed in the vicinity 
of Centreville, except that he spent a nnujber of 
years in the neighboring village of Fawn River, 
where his father conducted a large tlouring-mill 
and a woolen-mill. 

As a sclmolboy, our subject never was considered 
a glittering success. His individuality even at that 
time was marked, and he never willingly bowed 
before a schoolmaster simply because the latter was 
clothed in a little brief authority. Nevertheless, he 
succeeded in gaining a fair education at the Centre- 
ville Union School, and one which was greatly in- 
creased by his own labors in historic research and a 
close study of the English cl.assics. He studied law 
for two years under Alfred Akey, Esq.. of Centre- 
ville. and was admitted to the bar in 1878. passing 
a brdliant exan)iuation. 

Mr. .Stewart continued his studies with assiduity, 
anil was at a later |K'rii>d in partnership with Mr. 
Akey for a time. Mr. .Stewart for several years 
held the position of Township Clerk, and has held 
various village offices, including that of ^'illnge 
Attorney. He has always been an enthusiastic Re- 
publican, and in the fall of 1888 consented to ac- 
cept the nomination for Pros«'cutiiig Attorney. His 
election by the largest majority received by any 
one on his ticket is a suQlcient indication of bis per- 



•^^f^ 



:.^h^ 



570 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



sonal [lopularity and professional reputation. He 
now occupies that position, an<l is senior member of 
the law firm of Stewart 6: Meaciiam. 

As a lawyer, Mr. Stewart is highly esteemed both 
by his clients and his brother attorney's. It is a 
frequent comment that no other member of the bar 
has gained so rapidly in professional ability. His 
methods are frequently original, and occasionally 
looked upon bj' the fraternity as more novel than 
legal, but as the Supreme Court has a habit of 
agreeing with him u|)on these occasions, he does 
not coin|jhiin. While not what is generally termed 
brilliant, he is possessed of a good knowledge of 
law, and a w.i^- of presenting it that generally' brings 
him success. 

As regards his ancestr3- Mr. .Stewart is purely of 
Scotch descent, though his parents, David and 
Marj' (McFarland) Stewart, were born in the Slate 
of New York. David Stewart, who died in 1876, 
was for many years the leading merchant and busi- 
ness man of Centreville. 

Mr. Stewart wasmarrie<l, in 1884, to Miss Anna 
Hasbrouck, of Centreville. and their union is blessed 
with one daughter. Mr. Stewart is a member of 
several Msisonic organizations, and was for several 
years Master of Mt. Hermon Lodge at Centreville. 



JOHN ARMITAGE. Tiie solid and reliable 
element of Tlirce Rivers, its cultivation and 
enterprise, are admirably illustrated in the 
subject of this sketch, who is one of its old- 
est and most highly respected citizens. After the 
labors of a well-si)ent life he is domiciled in a beau- 
tiful residence, surrounded with all needful com- 
forts and many luxuries, and is living at his e.-ise, 
being the owner of a large amount of property in 
the shape of city houses and lots, and a fine farm of 
215 acres in Fabius Township. Ills land is well 
improved, with good buildings, ami together with 
his cit3- propert}' yields him a liberal income. 

Our subject traces his birthplace to the city of 
heeds, Yorksiiire, England, near which he was born. 
Jan. li), 1824. His father. William Armitage, w.as a 
native of the same shire, whence he emigrated to 
America in 1831, when our subject was a little lad 




seven years of age. The3' located first in Pottsville, 
Pa., where tiiej- lived some five years and tlicncecame 
to this county, locating on the banks of the St. Jo- 
seph River, three miles north of Centreville, and 
after a time each member of the family was afflicted 
with fever and ague with no one to assist or wait 
upon them. This was only one of the many afflic- 
tions endured by the pioneer settlers. William 
Armitage possessed a sturd}' perseverance, liowever, 
and was not a man to flee from difficulties or dut}'. 
He clung to his |)roperty, and there with his excel- 
lent wife spent the remainder of his days. 'Ihe 
mother, Mrs. Bathsheba (Green) Arrpitage, died in 
middle life, in 1856. The father survived a period 
of fourteen years, passing away in 1870. 

The parental household included ten children, 
five sons and five daughters, and of this large fam- 
ily there is only remaining John Armitage, our sub- 
ject, and two brothers. He was the eldest son and 
second chibl. His boj'hood and youth were spent 
in the manner common to the sons of pioneer far- 
mers, receiving a limited education in the imper- 
fect schools of that day, an<l becoming familiar at 
an earl^'age with the various employments of rural 
life. Upon approaching manhood he learned the 
trade of carpentry, but his preferences were for ag- 
ricultural pursuits. Soon after reaching his major- 
ity he took the first steps toward establishing a home 
of his own by his marri.age with Miss .Mary J. Bond- 
man. This Iad3' was born in Montour County, Pa., 
and came with her parents to Michigan in 1835. 
The latter spent their last years in this county. 
The young people began their w^edded life together 
on a farm in this count}', where they continueil un- 
til 1S64, when our subject removed to Three Rivers 
and thereafter engaged as a contractor, while at the 
same time he superintended the operations of his 
farm. Their present residence, a fine brick struct- 
ure, was completed in 1872, and with its surround- 
ings forms one of the most attractive homes in the 
citj'. The family includes two children: .Sarah .M.. 
who is now the wife of John Grilliths, a hardware 
merchant of Three Rivers, and George G.. who is a 
resident of Hastings. Neb. 

Mr. Armit^ige has been for years a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, together with his, excellent 
wife, and to its support has contributed liberally of 



■•► 



ST. JObEl'lI COUNTY. 



571 



liis ine;ins. findinir S'ltisfaclioii in its nilvanctMiient 
and prusperily. In local politics he believes in giv- 
ing Ills support to the men best qualified to serve 
the interests of the people. In SUite anil National 
affairs hg gives his undivided adherence to the Re- 
publican party. 



,KIHKN .M.VCO.MHKH. the youth of nine- 
teen years who came to the young State of 
^\y. Michigan in 1844, is now a veteran of nearly 
^^ sixty-four, and the possessor of a rii)e ex- 
perience in connection with life during the early 
settlement of this county. lie migrated to this 
region from (ienesce County, N. Y., where he wa.s 
born Feb. 18, 1825. He attended school for a time 
afterward and began his career as a farmer in Park 
Township, after which he became interested as a 
stock-dealer, operating in connection with his father. 
who owned a vorj' large tract of land in Park 
Township. Tliis land was finely adapted to the 
raising of corn, which was largely consumed by the 
stock. Their shipments were made during the 
winter months, and this business was prosecuted by 
our subject for a number of vears, .ind until 1866, 
when he retired from the active labors of life and 
is now living at his ease, domiciled in a pleasant 
home in Three Rivers. 

Our subject is the son of Charles and .Mary 
(^Burt) Maconit)er, who were natives respectively 
of New York St.ite and ^■erm(mt. the father born 
July 6, 1800, and the mother March 9, 1805. The 
latter is still living, making her liome with our sub- 
ject in Three Rivei-s. Charles .Macoml)er was a 
very intelligent man. and. although giving his at- 
tention principally to farming pursuits had a good 
undcrstiuiding of common law, and frequently 
olHciated as attorney for other parties before 
Justices of the Peace. The parents left the old farm 
in Park Township after a residence upon it for 
twenty years, settling in Three Rivers, where the 
father died in October, 1874. 

Ten children comprised the household circle of 
Charles anfl Mary MaconilH?r. and eight of these 
are still living, making their home mostly in 
this Stale. Reuben, our subject, was the second 



child and son. lie was first marrir>d in 1852, to 
Miss Maria Boutwell. who only survived her wed- 
ding six months. .Mr. M. did not seek another part- 
ner for several years, this bereavement jiroving a 
source of great sorrow and disapixjintmenl in his 
hopes and plans. In 1868 he contracted a second 
marriage, with Miss Ora Oritlin. of Kalamazoo 
County, and to them were born three children — 
Charles, Gr.iee D. and Ned. Our subject is an un- 
compromising Republican, politically, and a man 
who keeps himself well posted Imlh in Slate and 
National affairs, and those matters pertaining to 
the world of business and trade. He luis mainly 
preferred the life of a quiet and unobtrusive citizen, 
and with the exception of serving as a stockholder 
and director in the Throe Rivers National IJmk, 
has confined his attention to his ])rivate business. 

<i«) nWARI) B. LINSLEY, Secretary and Treas- 
Is urer of the Sheflield Velocipede Car Com- 
/fc=^ pany. of Three Rivers, is a gentleman in the 
prime of life and a eai)able and .efficient business 
man. He came to this place in the sjiring of 1867, 
and began his business. career here as clerk for the 
firm of ^Ving <fe JIajor, druggists, with whom he 
remained a ix?riod of four years. He then formed a 
partnership with A. W. .Snyder, and they oper.ited 
together as druggists a number of years, and then 
Jlr. Linsley sold his interest to his |>artner. and sotm 
after the organizjition of theShelficld Car Company 
became a member of that firm. This soon aftorward 
was merge<l into a stock company and our subject 
was chosen for the responsible otlices which he still 
holds. 

The sidiject of this sketch was born near the city 
of Rochester, .Monroe Co.. N. Y.. July 27. 1847. 
He is the eldest child of Darius M. and Margaret 
(Baldwin) Linsley, whose family included only the 
one son and three daughters. The father was a 
native of Vermont, a graduate of Middlebury Col- 
lege, for many years a teacher, and at one time 
Superintendent of the city schools of Rochester. 
Sul>se<|Uently he moved to Watt'rtown. N. Y.. 
where he t<Kik a charge of the Watertown Institute, 
in those days a witU-ly known educational institu- 



=r 



•►-If^^ 



4- 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



tion. - In 18;jG be moved lo Iowa, spent some three 
years in the Ilawkeye "State, and in 1859 came to 
Michiiran. Ujeatinir in Kalamazoo. Soon afterward 
he was made izeneral agent of the Michigan Female 
Seminary, a iKisition whifh be held several years, 
and durin<^ wliieh time Kdward B. attended first the 
public schools and later the High Sehool. He began j 
Ills mercantile experience as a clerk in the store of 
Roberts A.- II illhouse, at Kalamazoo. He was an em- 
ploye of this firm for a number of years, leaving 
them to take up his residence in Three Rivers. 

]\Ir. Linsley, in the summer of 187G, led to the 
altar :Mi.'*s Kmnia Burch. daughter of llosea Burch, 
Esq.. of Three Rivers. Mrs. L. was born Jan. 17, 
1852. in Lapeer, and spent tiie early years of her 
life at Tliree Rivers under the parental roof, re- 
maining a member of tlie home circle until her mar- 
riage. :Mr. Linsley holds the office of President of 
the Building and Loan Association of Three Rivers 
and also of the Southwestern Jlichigan Fair Associa- 
tion. His residence is in tlie central part of the cit}-, 
where he has a pleasant and attractive home. 

.Mrs. Margaret Linsley, the mother of our sub- 
ject, departed this life at licr home in Kalam.azoo, 
Mich.. Aug. 25. 1865. The f.ather. in 1807. returned 
to New York State, and located on a farm in Or- 
leans County. He is now sixty-four years of age. 
Tiie Linsleys trace their ancestry back to an old 
Englisli family whose descendants crossed the 
-Vtlantic it is believed in the Colonial days.. 



*t 



'if'OHNSON BENNI'VIT. The residence por- 
tion of Tliree Rivers forms one of its most 
attractive features, and tiio visitor cuidd em- 
plvty considerable lime in making a note of 
the numerous fine dwellings which indicate the lead- 
ing element in the general character of its peoi)le. 
In one of these is domiciled the subject of this 
sketch, a gentleman who during the years of his 
more active life was closely identified with the 
growth and i)ro.-perity of the young city, and con- 
iriltulcd in no small measure lo the development of 
its resources. 

A native of Ihe Kiiipire Slate, Mr. Bennett was 
born in its most lovely portion on the bai ks of the 



lorilly Hudson. April 17. 1827. The son of a lead- 
ing family, bis father was Asa Bennett, a native of 
Connecticut, a gentleman of fine education and in- 
telligence, and a giaduate of the New Jersey Busi- 
ness College. He was a minister of the Dutch Re- 
formed Church, a man of great force of char.acter, 
and one who made his influence sensibly felt in the 
various communities where it was bis lot from time 
to time to reside. He married, in early manhood. 
Miss .Sail}' Coram, a native of bis own State, and 
the daughter of a fine old English family. 

The parents of our subject finally removed to 
Seneca Countj', N. Y.. where they lived about nine 
years, thence came in the spring of 1838 to this 
count}", making the joiu'uey overland with teams. 
The father selecleil land in Nottawa Township, and 
was engaged thereafter in its cultivation and im- 
provement until called from his earthly labors. 

The subject of this sketch w.as tlie fourth in a 
family of seven children, five of whom are still liv- 
ing. His bo3bood was spent amid the peaceful 
employments of farm life, and his education was 
begun in the common schools of .Seneca County, N. 
Y. Later he attended school at White Pigeon. 
Afterward be was a student in Branch University 
and Albion College. He then returned to the farm, 
but remained there only a comparatively brief lime, 
l)referriiig the more stirring scenes of town life, 
and becoming a clerk in the employ of J. W. Tal- 
bot, with whom he remained until 1852. F'inally, 
in the spring of 18G5. be came to Three Rivers, 
and |)urcbasing ground, built upon the site of his 
present store. About that time he formed a part- 
nership with Amos Wolf, and they embarked in the 
dry -goods trade, operating together for about one 
year, when the interest of Mr. Wt)lf was i)urcliaseii 
by J. W. Talbot, and the firm name became Ben- 
nett <fe Talbot. The partnership continued until 
1873, when it w.ts dissolvcil, and 5Ir. Bennett con- 
ducted the business singly. 

The business career of Mr. Bennett was attended 
with more than ordinal-}- success, he being a man of 
sound judgment, and one who has ke|)t himself 
thoroughly posted in regard to commercial trans- 
actions. Although largely engrossed all his life 
with business mailers, he yet found lime to estab- 
lish a iKune and a fireside of his own, being mar- 



i- 



-^^ 



4- 



ST. JUSKPH COUNTY. 



ra 



ried in 18.'j4 to a most estimable ladj". Miss Jane 
Anti's, wlio was burn in Lycoming County, I'a.. 
and at tiie time of tlioir marriage was a resident of 
Centreville, tiiis county. Two ciiildren were born 
of tliis union, a sou and daughter. Charles J. and 
Claudia. The former is an attorney* in New York 
City. He is a 3'oung man of more than ordinary 
abilities, possessing a fine education, and spent three 
and one-half years in Kurope, and four years in 
Ann Arbor College. The daughter is also highly 
accomplished, being a gra<luate of tlie celebrated 
Wellesly College, near Boston, Mass. 

Mr. Bennett has always been recognized as one 
of the most ellicient members of tlie community, 
one adapted admirably to fill positions of trust and 
responsibility. In 1885 he was elected President 
of the Village Board, and again in 1887. lie is one 
of the pillars of the Presbyterian Church, to which 
he has given a liberal and cheerful support, and has 
served on its otlicial board a number of years. 



ellANCY K. .SAItS, a wealthy and prominent 
citizen, and one of the active business men 
of St. Joseph County, is familiarly known as 
the proprietor of the Three Rivers Canning estab- 
lishment, an industry which gives in its season em- 
ployment to between 400 and 500 men. It has 
a capacity' of 40.000 cans during the season, and the 
main building occupies an area of 40x130 feet. It is 
a large brick structure two stories in height, and was 
erected in 1882. Attached to it are two wings, 
45x."jO feet, and the works are supplied with a good 
engine, and the other requisite niachiner\' for the 
rapid transaction of business, turning out 20,000 to 
2."),000 cans, largely of corn. They also handle 
pears, peaches anil the other fruits. Interested in 
this project and associated with him is the wife of 
our subject as a partner, she being a very capalile 
lady with a good understanding of business. Thej' 
are people of ample means, and when the canning 
seas(m is over spend their lime pleasantly in travel. 
Our subject was born in Lewis County, N. Y., 
April 27, 1833. of which he remained n resident for 
a period of forty years, removing thence to Ohio. 
His parents were Christian and Kmily (Hollisler) 



Sars, natives respectivoli' of New York and Ver- 
mont, the latter born in Bennington. She is still 
living, and has now arrived to the advanced age of 
eighty-five years. Christian Sars is deceased. The 
parental household included eightchildren. of whom 
Chancy K., our subject, was the sixth in order of 
birth. 

Christian Sars was a farmer by occupation, and 
the boyhood of Chancy E. was spent at the old 
homestead in the Empire State until reaching ma- 
ture years. His first business enterprise was in the 
seed trade, and he finally became connected with a 
firm at Mt. Morris, which m.ade a specialty of dry- 
ing corn. In 1873 Mr. .Sars emlmrked in business 
on his own account, carrying on wh.it was known as 
the Circleville (Ohio) Drying and Canning Works, 
which under his excellent managenieut. became, one 
of the importiint industries of that section. 

Mr. .Sars came to Michigan fortified with a thor- 
ough experience of the business in which he is non- 
engaged. He has been a man quite active in poli- 
tics, and at one time w.as nominated by the Re- 
publicans of his county as a candidate fur the 
Legislature, making a good record, and running 
considerably ahead of his ticket in a strongly Demo- 
cratic county, being defeate<l by a small niajurily. 
He has taken a decided stand in favor of temper- 
ance, a'nd at one time gave himself up to the work, 
visiting many of the principal towns and cities in 
Ohio in its behalf. 

Mrs. .Sars was born in Onond.-iga County, N. Y., 
where she was married to our subject, ami in 1873 
removed with him to Ohio. They have no children. 



Since the above was written the subject of it has 
passed from this life, dying Feb. 7. 1889, while yet 
in the prime of a vigt)ruus manhood. His widow is 
left to mourn the partner of her earlier years. 



% 




* *ILLIA.M J. ITRNBULL. a pioneer settler 
\j^// of this county, ami who with his e.xcelleut 
V7'\5 wife sl.-inds high among the people who 
have known him for so many years, is iu the enjoy- 
ment of a good home in the shape of a well-culli- 
vnled farm lying uii section 2'.l in Burr Onk Town- 



r 



-4*- 



574 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



ship. Here he 1ms eighty acres of land, and all the 
buildings necessary for his comfort and convenience. 
He has lived the life of a quiet and iaw-ahiding citi- 
zen, at peace with his neighbors, and stekinsr to do 
good as he had opportunity. 

A native of Glenvillc, Schenectady Co., N. Y., 
our subject was born July 25, 1824, and is the son 
of Robert and Elizabeth Turnbull, the former a 
native of Duanesburg, N. Y., and the latter of 
Princetown. They were the parents of five chil- 
dren, aixl the father followed farming all his life. 
The eldest son, George, is in Princetown; Mrs. 
Picket and Ellen are in Schenectady; Eveline (.Mrs. 
.lulin Clow), continues a resident of Glenville, N. 
Y.; Agnes (Mrs. Calvin Slawson), lives in Todd 
County, Minn. 

Our subject is the eldest child of his parents. He 
was married in Glenville, N. Y., Oct. 29, 1850, to 
Miss Harriet ><. Hullman, who was a native of 
Glenville, and tiie daughter of Henoni and Mary 
Bnlinian, who were also natives of Glenville, and 
passed from earth at their home in that place many 
years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull spent the first 
seven years of their wedded life in Glenville, then 
came to Southern Michigan, locating in Burr Oak 
Township, uixm the land which thej* occupied until 
18(!0, and which Mr. T. sold that year, puithasing 
Ins present homestead, which at that time emliraced 
1 20 acres. He sold forty acres of this in 1 884, and 
has eighty acres left, which is amply snllicient to 
furnish him with the neccssarj' income for his com- 
fort and enjoyment. His career has been one 
marked by honesty and integrity, while his estima- 
ble wife has been a true companion and helpmate, 
standing by his side in storm and sunshine, and in- 
citing him to every worthy endeavor. 



-*-^=^>^Sr'<>- 



I 



4 



ISAAC NULL. In the career before us, neces- 
sarily briefly sketched in a work of this kind, 
we have that of a man descended from excel- 
lent Pennsj'lvania stock, who came to Michigan 
when about twenty-seven years of age with the de- 
termination to found a homestead upon a poition 
of its soil and become a worthy citizen among its 



people. He came to this county in the spring of 
1855, and purchased 103 acres of uncultivated land 
in the vicinity of Flat Bush, Flowerlield Town- 
ship, upon which he labored assiduously for its 
improvement and cultivation, and was so success- 
ful that he was enabled to add to his landed estate 
until he became the owner of 1,1 ai acres, which 
he divided u|) into nine faims. He brought the 
most of this to a good state of cultivation and en- 
gaged in mixed husbandry, also in stock-raising, 
and in due time attained an enviable reputation as 
one of the most thorough and skillful agriculturists 
of this region. He occupied his farm until the 
spring of 1885, then, wisely judging that he had 
contributed his full share toward the farming inter- 
ests of St. Joseph County, withdrew from active 
labor and sought a home in Three Rivere, where he 
is now living retired and in the enjoj'ment of the 
fruits of his industr}\ 

To begin with the first experience of our subject 
in this busy world we find that he first opened his 
eyes to the light at the modest homestead of his 
parents near Lewiston, Union Co., P.i., Oct. 13, 
1825. His parents, Jacob and Sarah (IJaker) Nidi, 
were also natives of the Keystone Stale, the father 
born in Berks Count}- and the mother in Union. 
The former died in Pennsylvania in middle life; 
the mother sulisequently removed to Ohio with her 
little family, taking u|) her abode in Sandusky 
County, where the}' resided a period of twelve 
}ears. Thence they came to Michigan, and the 
death of the mother look place at her home in 
Flowerfield Township in May, 1884. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
nine children, five of whom, three l)oys ami one 
girl, all died in infancy. Two sons and three 
daughters are living, and residents of this county. 
Isaac was the fourth in order of birth. lie spent 
the first fifteen years of his life in his native 
county, attending the district school and jissist- 
ing his parents around the homestead. Being the 
eldest son, he was necessarily made the head of the 
family after the death of his father, by which afflic- 
tion they were left in rather straightened circum- 
stances, and obliged to exercise great industry anci 
economy to maintain themselves comfortably. 

Mr. Null developed into manhood in Sandusky 



f 



■► II <• 



ST. .lOSKlMI COUNTY. 



575 ♦ 



f 



County. Oliio. where lie made the auqiiaintnnce of 
Miss .Martha. (l:iii;;hler of .lonathan Alexaiificr, 
and to lier he was united in rnarri.age when he was 
tweuty-four j-ears old. This lady was also a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, and born near Willianisport. 
The young people began their wedded life to- 
getner on a small traet of land in Sandusky Count}', 
Ohio, upon which Mr. Null was enabled to [).iy 
^50 down. He wa.-^ to pay il8 per acre, and to 
have seven years' time at 6 per cent, interest. Seven 
years later he sold out for double the price he 
gave. 

Few men have contributed in a greater manner 
to the development of the agrictdtnral interests of 
the count}- than the snl)jecl of this sketch, and in 
business channels he has shown himself no less in- 
dustrious or lacking in good judgment. In the year 
1872 .Mr. Null coucludeil to invest a portion of his 
capital at Three Rivers, and put up the fine brick 
block a part of which is now occupied by the 
National Bank. This structure was followed three 
years later, in 1875. by a handsome and substantial 
residence, also of brick, and which, with its sur- 
roundings, forms one of the most attractive homes 
of the city. He constructed an entire lilock in 
I88G. which is oceui)ied by six stores, is two stories 
in height. and forms a decided addition to the busi- 
ness portion of the town. He also has other build- 
ings within the cor|)nrate limits. 

The family of Mr. Null comjjrised six children, 
one son and five daughters, most of whom have 
fled from the home nest. The eldest. Mary M.. is 
the wife of Calvin Bingaman, a well-to-do farmer 
in Flowerfield Township; Sarah A.. Mri>. George 
Peters, lives on a farm in Flowerfield Township; 
Lucy is the wife of Alexander Baker, of Flower- 
fielil Township; .Martha Elizabeth is the wife of 
Howard Beufer. and lives in Flowerfield Township; 
Rosa .1.. the youngest. i.< .Mrs. George .Skeer. of 
Three Rivers, and William married Miss Vie 
Power. 

Although usually voting the Republican ticket 
Mr. Null avails himself of the rights of the free 
American citizen to support the men whom he con- 
siders best qualified for olHce, irrespective of party. 
He has given liberally to .schools and churches, and 
is a member of the United Brethren, of which his 



wife ofHciated .as Trustee and formed one of its chief 
\ pillars. He is a man of large benevolence anci 
kindly charity, and it should be a source of pride 
and satisfaction that he can say the poor have 
never been turned awiij- from his doors. Mrs. 
Null died .Ian. 11. 188G, .at her home in Three 
Rivers. 



€> 



7^ 



JOSHl'll W . FKKNCII. In noting the various 
industries that have, one after another, 
been instrumental in contributing to the 
progress and importance of Three Rivers, 
none deserve more favorable mention than that of 
which the subject of this sketch is President — the 
Three Rivers Paper Company. The very fact that 
there is a demand for this commodity to such a 
degree .as to make an establishment for its manii- 
fa"ture necessary here, is evidence of the intelli- 
gent class of people who form the bone and 
sinew of St. .loseph County. .Vmong these Mr. 
French occupies no .secondary pDsilion. His energy 
and enterprise are proverbial, ami no one can deny 
that he is doing honor to bis New Knglaml an- 
cestry. 

Mr. French was himself born not far from the 

' rugged Atlantic Coast, in New Haven County. 

1 Conn., .lune H, IB.IS. He is the son of David and 
hliziibeth (Wooster) French, who were also natives 
of that .State. The father delved a comfortable 
living from his native soil, following the peaceful 
pursuit of agriculture his entire life, and closing 
his eyes to earthly scenes in the county which gave 
him birth, in 1815. The mother survived her hus- 
band nearly thirty-nine years, her death taking 
place in December. 1881. Their family includtHl 
five children, two sons and three daughters. Of 
these Joseph W. was the third of the family. His 
bovhoo<l days were spent in his native township, 
where he attended the common school, and was 
more than usually attentive to his books, lb' 
finally developed into a teacher, which profession 
he followed during the winter «ivisiin fur *ome 
time. 

The Inisiness career of young French began in 



4 



-4^ 



o7G 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



4" 



the mauiifacturinji; est.iblisliment of his maternal 
mule. Henry AVooster. who carried on a good busi- 
ness as the producer of combs of all descriptions, 
from plain horn to the finest ivorj-. With him our 
subject remained a period of five years. He then 
determined to leave New England, and the fall of 
1854 found liim in Three Rivers, this county, 
where he soon afterward formed a jiartnership with | 
J. S. Shailer. of Boston. Mass.. and J. H. blather. ' 
of Connecticut, to engage in the manufacture of 
axletrees for wagons and other vehicles. The firm 
prosecuted business successfully about five years, 
then branched out into the manufacture of wagons 
and carriages. A few j-pars later tlie firm w.is re- 
organized, under tlie style of 15r.idner Smith & 
Co., and turned their attention, in connection 
with the i)revious products of their factory, to the 
manufacture of paper likewise. This industry was 
inaugurated in a modest manner, they putting out 
first simply the different kinds of wrapping paper. 
As soon as they discovered it was destined to be- 
come a success, thej- commenced upon good grades 
of ]irinting paper, and from that day on have met 
with undiminished success. 

The firm was again reorganized, in 18C7, into a 
stock company, and operated thus until 18H;').when 
it was succeeded by the present Three Rivers Pa- 
per Company, which is now composed of Josepii 
AV. French and his three sons. The plant is located 
in the Second Ward, in the southern part of town, 
conveniently near to the tracks of the JHchigan Cen- 
tral and the L.ike Sliore Railroads, thus aflfording 
first-class shipping facilities. Tiie factory is now 
equipped with modern machinery, and tlie product 
is of a ver}- superior quality, one that is fullj- 
recognized all over Michigan and other States in the 
sending in of large orders, this company probably 
filling the leading contracts in this section. The3' 
give employment to seventy operators, and ship as 
far east as Cleveland. Ohio, taking in Chicago on 
the way. also St. Louis. Kansas City. Denver, and 
other important points. Their maehinerj- has a 
capacity of about six tons per day. 

Mr. French lias lieen connected with this enter- 
prise from its first inception , and there is no ques- 
tion that its success is largely' due to his business 
abilities and good judgment. He is also interested 



in various other leading enterprises at Three Rivers, 
being President of its National Bank, and holding 
the office of Vice President of both the Roberts A- 
Thropp Threshing Machine Company and the Wood 
Pump Company, of Nilcs. He has also served as 
I'residcnt of the City Council a term of six years. 
is a member of the Board of Trustees of the North- 
ern Asylum, located at Traverse City, and Vice 
President and Director of the Manufacturers' Mu- 
tual Fire Insurance Company, of Detroit; likewise 
a Director of tlie JIutual Fire Insurance Com])any, 
of Chicago. 111., and a Director of the Midiigan 
Central Railroad. To give proper attention to 
these various interests there is required a level- 
headed man, and the fact tiiat Mr. Freucli has been 
retained from year to year as a trusted official is 
indicative that he possesses this (piality in no ordi- 
nary degree. 

0\-er thirty 3-ears ago, in 1856, Joseph W. 
French was united in wedlock with Miss Emily J. 
Wright, who was born in Deep River. Conn., and 
there reared to womanhood. Three sons have been 
the issue of this union — Willard W.. Frank J. and 
J. Edward. They are more tiian ordinarily brigiit 
young business men, being associated with their 
father; the eldest .is Vice President of the Three 
Rivers Paper Company. Frank J. as Secretary, and 
J. Edward as Treasurer. 

AVINIA (FIELD) BURNS. In writing 
, the history of any given locality, it is of 
^. necessity tiie history of the people inhabit- 
ing the place described; the tendenc}- is to refer 
only to the lives of the male members of the popula- 
tion. In this case we find it our ple.isiirable dutj' 
to depart from the usual routine, and refer to the 
life work of the lady whose name heads this sketch, 
and who now resides in Mottville A'illage, and the 
part taken by her and her iiusband, Thomas Burns, 
now deceased, in bringing about the exceedingly 
favorable conditions that are enjoyed by the people 
of the township. 

This lady was born in Steuben County, N. Y., 
townsiiip of Prattsburg, in 1823. She is a daugh- 
ter of Darius Field, who was born in the Slate of 




t- 



4» 



f- 



-4•- 



■■» ■ ^ 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



Vprmoiil, and livi-il there until lie reached years of 
mnnhiiod. lie married Saioma Clark, and removed 
with her to Steuben (.'uunty, N. Y. Tliey lived in 
Steuben County for thirty-live years, where he fol- 
lowed farniinLr.eominfi then to Miehi^'an and .seltlinij 
HI C'onstantine. where they rented a farm for two 
years, at the end of which they purchaser! land in 
Cass County. Mich., where they lived for some 
lime; they then moved to .Mottville, where they 
lived a retired life until the days of their death, 
which occurred Feb. 16, 1871. and .Jtdy 2, 1S64. 
Both were devout members of the .Methodist K|)is- 
copal Church. 

This lady is one of a family of ten cliihlren. who 
were named : Lavinia, klioda Adelia. Harvey K., 
Hcrniione, Destimone. Darius, Saloma, Chester A., 
Emory G. and Caroline, lihoda A. married Mr. 
Orris Brings, in Prattsburg. N. Y.; after they had 
been married about twenty-eight years they moved 
to Michigan, and reared a family : she died in Lena- 
wee County, at the resilience f>f her daughter. 
Caroline married Christopher Wolgamooil : she, with 
her husband, lives in Nebrjiska. Chester A. lives 
in liussell County, Kan.; he is married to Rosalie 
Braginton, a native of Michigan, her father being 
a farmer in this State. Henry K. w.is born in 
Wayne County. N. Y., and came West with his 
parents; at present he resides in Mottville Town- 
ship, llermione and Destimone are twins: the 
former was married to .Joseph Parker, a resident of 
•Steuben Count}', N. Y., where he died; she is still 
living, a widow. Destimone is the wife of Nathan 
Hess, who is a native of .Steuben County, N. Y. ; 
they now reside in Jncksop County, in this State. 
Darius and .Saloma are another pair of twins: 
Darius married .Sarah R;iv, a native of .Michigan, 
and they live in Kalamazoo; he is not in active 
life. Saloma is living in Ontario County, N. Y.. 
in the town of Naples; she is the wife of Hollis 
Tyler, who is a farmer near that town. Emory G. 
was a resident of Nebraska until his death, which 
occurred on Thanksgiving Day. 188,5; he married 
Elizabeth Braginton, who survives him. Mrs. 
Burns is the mother of three children, all living. 
They were named: Clayton .1., now living in Cali- 
fornia, and in the mercantile business; Hcrm}* is 
living in Benzie County, near South Frankfort. 



Mich., anil is married to Willard Cook; he is a far- 
mer. Hollis T. is in the .State of Oregon, and is a 
single man; he is a great traveler. 

Mrs. Burns was married to her husband Aug. 19, 
1847. The latter was always a farmer until he 
moved into Mottville N'illage. when he retired from 
active life. At the time of his maniage with our 
subject he was a widfiwer; his first wife, Rebecca 
Odell Burns, died in the year 1844, on their home 
faiiii in Cass County. Mich. After her death he 
exchanged the Cass County farm for another in the 
same county, which he owned for thirteen years, 
when he disposed of it to William .Simmons. After 
selling this farm he bought land east of White Pig- 
eon, where he resided for four years, when he sold 
it and bought other property in Cass County, which 
contained 130 acres and was well improved. It was 
located on the Chicago Road. After operating 
this for a number of years he sold it, and moved 
into the village of Mottville. and retired from 
active life, and there he died .Jan. 1, 18««. 

Mr. Burns' first purchase of land in Michigan was 
a body of 500 acres from the Government, which 
he improved, and finally solil at a |>rice which 
made him some recompense for the many weari- 
some d.ays of hard lalior, and weeks and months of 
trouble and hardship endured. All of his tiisles 
from his earliest life were inclined to farming, but 
in the year 1849. when the gold fever was epidemic 
in the countrN-. he did not escape the conLigion. and 
he would not feel content until he had visited the 
new Eldorado. He crossed the |)lains to California 
with an ox-team; he was captain of the train. 
During his absence his family lived on what is now 
known as the Ricker farm. During his stay in 
California, which Lasted about two years, he was 
successful in the object for which he visited the 
Golden State. He would have remained there 
longer had his family kept well, but serious illness 
obliged him to return. Jan. 1, 1888, he died, at 
the age of eighty years, seven months and twenty- 
one days. During his life he was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which organization 
he had held the ollice of Steward for many years. He 
w.as a Class-Leader in the same church for fifteen 
years. In the earlier years of his life he cast bis vote 
with the Democratic party, but becoming disgusted 



^^1^ 



578 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



^•^T* 




with the course of that piirtv on certain vital ques- 
tiuns. lie cast his ballot ever afterward with the 
Republican party. 

Mrs. Burus has passed through all the hardships 
and sufferings incident to the life of a pioneer, 
which she has borne unconiplaininglj'. and she has 
richly earned the reward of years of quietude and 
peace, which are now her portion. She enjoys the full- 
est confidence and respect of all wlioknow her, and 
none can enter her presence without feeling that tliej- 
are before one of the man}' noble women and mothers 
who have contributed so largel}' and done so much 
to provide for the present generation the comforts 
and the many advantages they now enjoj'. 



YRUS ROBERTS. Close upon the heels of 
other leading enterprises in Three Rivers, as 
^^r' the cily began to develop in wealth and 
population, was established the threshing-machine 
and corn sheller works, and of the company car- 
rying it forward the subject of this sketch is the 
President. He is a man eminently fitted for a po- 
sition of trust and resii(insil)ility. one possessing 
more than ordinary inlelligence and busine,«s qual- 
ifications. A native of the State of Pennsylvania, 
lie was born near the well-known town of Taylors- 
ville. in Bucks County, Aug. 14. 1820. and is the 
sou of Samuel and Delilah (Holcomb) Roberts, who 
were also natives of the Keystone State. 

Samuel Roberts was a well-educated man. and 
followed the profession of a teadier a number of 
years during his early manhood. Cyrus, our sub- 
ject.was the second child of a "family compri-sing two 
sons and one daughter. His boyhood days were 
spent mosllv in school until the age of thirteen 
years, when he commeuced a regular apprenticeship 
at the trade of cabinet-maker. Five j-ears later he 
started out for himself, following in the meantime 
his trade until a man, of twenty -eight years. Ten 
years of this time were sjient as pattern-maker in 
different places in his native State, during which 
he (lispl.ayed more than ordinary ingenuity and 
skill. 

In the fall of 1848 Ur. Roberts emigrated west 
to liellevue. 111., where he engaged in the nianuf-ict- 

■4* 



ure of threshing-machines upon a capital of S^'iOO. 
This was regarded as a rather hazardous experiment, 
but bj- careful economv and good management, he 
niiide of it a success, in the meantime taking in a 
partner. John Cox, they operating together under 
the firm name of Roberts it Cox. Four years later 
our subject purchased the interest of his partner, 
and in the winter of 185C returned to his native 
State and spent one jcar. after which he began 
making preparations for settlement in the farther 
West. On the way hither he stojjped in St. Joseph 
Count}-, Mich., to visit an old friend and shop- 
mate, Stephen Hibbs, and later purchased what is 
now known as the Robert.s, Thropj) & Co.'s plow 
shops in Three Rivers. Later he visited many of 
the ^^'estern States and Territories in the interest 
of Roberts, Thropp ife Co., taking in besides Old 
Mexico and other points of interest in the South- 
west. 

In 1884 Mr. Roberts completed the invention of 
a corn-sheller. which takes corn in the husk and 
produces it clean and in good condition for grind- 
ing. With the most thorough understanding of 
his business and a practical knowledge which can 
be gained in no way so well as by experience, he is 
well fitted for the position which he now occupies 
in connection with the industry which bears noun- 
important part among the various manufactures 
of Three Rivers. 

Mr. Roberts was married in the twenty-third 
year of his age to !Miss Rebecca Thorp, a native 
of New Jersey, and they became the parents of 
four children, one daughter and three sons. The 
eldest, James B.. is connected with the establish- 
ment of which his father is President, as is also 
Oeorge A., Treasurer; Horace is in Denver, Col., 
and Carrie remains at home with her parents. 



NDREW THOMA. About one of the first 
^Wj lj enterprises in the building up of a com- 
///~1|) munity is the blacksniilh-shop, an institu- 
tion wholl}' indispensable, both in town 
and in connection with the farm. The blacksmith 
is almost invariably a in.an in comfortable circum- 
stances if he be honest and frugal, as this class usu- 





M- 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



579 



ally nrc. Tlie subject of this sketch forms one of 
ibe most nortlu' momliers of ilm crafl. mid has a 
proper luiderstniiiliiii; of liis business in all its de- 
tails. He is the owner of a good property, and has 
always been able to maintain liimself and his family 
in comfort. This fiut, added to his reliable quali- 
ties of ciiaracter and hi« promptness in meeting liis 
obligations, has maile of him a highly respected 
citizen in Three Rivers and vicinity. He combines 
with his blacksmithing the business of a general ma- 
chinist, and since his establishment at this point has 
been tendered the generous patronage of its people. 

Jlr. Thoma is a native of Germany, having been 
born in the tirniid Huchy of Baden, .Ian. 24, 18.30. 
His father. Martin Thoma, was a miller by trade, and 
married a laily a native of his own Province. An- 
flrew, like his brothers and sisteis, was placed in 
school at the age of six years, and pursued bis 
studies until sixteen. When nine years old he com- 
menced learning the miller's trade, working every 
other night in the mill, and attending school b}' the 
day. This, however, was not entirely congenial to 
his tastes, and when eighteen years of age he aban- 
doned it and began learning blacksmithing. Upon 
reaching bis majurit3' he determined to emigrate to 
America. After landing in New York City he pro- 
ceeded westward to Tole<lo, Ohio, where he spent 
two years, and thence emigrated to White Pigeon, 
this County. He continued a resident of the latter 
place five years, working in a blacksmith-shop and 
at whatever else he could find to do. and practicing 
the most rigid economy in onler to make both ends 
meet and save something besides. 

The genuine German thrift and prudence of Mr. 
Thoma met with their legitimate reward. He founil 
frienris wlierever he went, and was selcloni out of 
work. In the spring of 1 8i)2 he changed his resi- 
dence to Lockport, and became an employe in a 
mainifacturing shop. He remained with this firm 
a |)eriod of fifteen years, and upon Ids withdrawal 
established a Itlacksmilh-shop of his own. 

Our subject was marrietl, in 1 M.VI, to Miss Hannah 
.Schuler, then of Wliite Pigeon. Mrs. Thoma is a 
native also of the Fatherland. Her parents died in 
.St. Louis, .Mo. Mr. ami .Mrs. Thoma became the 
parents of ten children, six sons and four daugh- 
ters. The eldest of these, Carrie W., is the wife of 




George Haun; Rachel is the wife of Joseph Leck- 
ner; Charles and William, twins: George H. and 
Jennie J.: Mary is the wife of Arthur llahn; .bihn 
lives in Kalamazoo; Adam A. is engaged as a 
jeweler in Otlumwa. Iowa; Freddie died at the age 
of eighteen months. Mr. and Mrs. Thoma are 
memliers of the Reformed Church. They have a 
neat and comfortable residence, and Mr. Thoma 
r)wns his sIk)|) with its equipments. He is rcganled 
as a reliable citizen. an<l has man}- friends. 

rCJU.STl S H. KIlNSKNHOl si:, a lumber 
lE=/4iI| deader of many ye^rs experience, became 
IS a resident of Three Rivers in 1885, and in 
the >pring of 1887 f(»rmed a jmrtnership 
with Fred II. Muss. They have since ojK'rated to- 
gether under the firm name of Rensenhouse A- 
Moss, and they are transacting a lucrative busi- 
ness, dealing also in wood and coal. The leading 
characteristics of the firm are the prompt attention 
to the wants of their )\atrons. their square dealings 
generally, and their value as members of the com- 
munity. 

.Mahoning County. Ohio, was the birthplace of 
our subject, and the date thereof .\ug. 28. 1«1M. 
He was the third son and fifth child in a family of 
twelve, the offspring of Frederick and Caroline 
(Barron) I{ensenhouse. The father was a man pos- 
sessed of much meclianieal genius, and for many 
yeflrs foreman of a blast furnace in Youngstown, 
Ohio, where he died in middle life, having been 
burned to death while at the furnace. The balance 
of the family left the Buckeye State about 1854. 
settling first on a tract of land in .\llegan County, 
this .State, where they live<l for many years. The 
mother is still living at the old homestead in .■\lle- 
gan County. 

The first fifteen years of the life of our subject 
were s|K'nt in Youuffstown. Ohio, where he attended 
the common school. Later he entereil the nail de- 
partment of the rolling-mill of Brown. Itonnell \- 
Co.. where he spent five years. U|xin coming to 
Michiiran he lived for a time with his mother's 
family in .Mlegan County, and later engaged in the 
lumber trade as the a.«.sooiate of Ira Chafee. nt 



* 



•4^ 



"^ ► ~^ ll 4' 



580 



ST. .lOSKPII COUNTY. 



Alleiran. tlic county .<e.it. This piiitner.^liip con- 
tinued until the removal of our subject to Three 
Rivers in 1885. 

Mr. Rensenliouse at the a2:e of twenty years 
formed domestic and matrimonial ties, being mar- 
ried in 1868 to Miss Hattie Clarke, of Allegan, and 
they commenced tlie journey of life toyetlier in 
Allegan County. Mich. This lady was born April 
8, 1850, in Holland, and is the daughter of Adrian 
and Fanny Clarke, who are now- still living in Alle- 
gan County. To our subject and his estimable 
wife there have been born foui- diildren: Cora, 
deceiised; Grace, (ilenn and Raymond. Mr. Ren- 
senliouse votes the straight Democratic ticket, and 
in connection with his business interests is also 
the drain Commissioner of St. Joseph County. He 
belong.H to Lodge No. 8(1. at Three Rivers. 






^ILLIAM A. AKKY. the twenty-one-year- 
old editor of the Centreville Times, is a 
native of this place, and wa.s born March 
13. 18()8. His parents were Alfred and Jmogene 
(Allison) Ake}-, the former a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and the latter of New York State. They 
came to this section about 18G7, settling in Centre- 
ville, of which the elder .Mvcy is now a prominent 
attorney. 

Our subject, the only son of his parents, was 
reared and educated in his native town, and after 
emerging from the public school entered the oftice 
of the Cnisader. at the age of fourteen years, to 
leani the printer's trade. Foub months later he 
became connected with the Reptthliran otllce, re- 
maining there two years, ^^'e ne.xt find him with 
the Sturgis Journal,a.nA seven months afterward he 
was local editor of the White Pigeon Journal, con- 
ducting this seven montlis. In .Inly. 1887. he took 
charge of the Centreville Times, of wliich he 
served as editor until Jan. 20, 1889. when he sold 
to Morten Walls, of White Pigeon. 

The Times was established in .September, 1884, 
by Martin & Twitchell, and the latter two years 
later disposed of his interest in the business to liis 




partner. It is Democratic in politics, and the aim 
of its editor is to furnish to the people of this 
county the current news in succinct and interesting 
style. 



EMANUEL M. CKOIKiE. The mercantile 
interests of Three Rivers have in nowise lieen 
behind those of her sister cities, and present 
a fair showing in comparison with the other enter- 
prises which have given the city her advanced posi- 
tion among the communities of the West. Among 
those who first established .-us a general merdiant 
w:is Mr. (Jeorge, who. after conducting a successful 
business a period of twenty years, retired upon a 
competency in 1881. and now occupies a comfort- 
able and attractive home in the northern p.art of 
town. 

Pennsylvania, which has contributed so nuich of 
her best element for the development of the far- 
ther West, owns our >ubject as one of her sons, he 
having been born near Pellefonle, Center County, 
March 2;J, 1826. His parents, Jon.as .and Rebecca 
(Hettinger) George, lived there a number of j^ears 
after their marriage, tlien removing to the vicinity 
of Hucyrus, Ohio, when their son Kmanuel M. was 
a mere child, they settled on a farm, where they 
lived until he w.as a lad of twelve years. Thence 
thev removed to Ashland, then Wayne County, 
whereour subject attained to man's estate and 
learned the trade of carpenter. 

Mr. George then ilrift*d to .Seneca County, Ohio, 
where he met his fate in the person of Miss .Mary 
Null, to wliom he was married in 1849. They so- 
journed there until 1857, then came to Three 
Rivers, and Mr. George engaged in mercantile 
business until the outbreak of the Rebellion. He 
then went .South in the employ of the (iovernment 
as a mechanic, but six months later returned home 
after his wife, who accompanied him back to the 
South. He was now placed in charge as foreman 
of a gang of men employed in the building of hos- 
pitiils, bridges, etc.. remaining another six months. 

Upon returning again to Three Rivers Mr. 
George resumed merchandising, which he carried on 
successfully a period of eight years, and then traded 
his stock of goods for a farm of 200 acres, one and 



T 



■^^ 



•^^ 



ST. .lOSKlMI COUNTY. 



581 



one-lialf miles west of Three Rivers. In .liiiic. 1888. 
lie opened a nolion .■md variety store wliieli is now 
located in Null's Block on St. Joseph street. He 
8till re'taius posse.ssion of his farm, and has a 
;r<«>'l town residence, .-ill his properly l)ein<r free 
from incumlirance. .Mr. (ieorj^^e began luisiness 
with a limited capital, and even borrowe<l a 
pair of pantaloons to hi' married in. He is now 
independent, through his own unaided industry 
and perseverance. He possesses considerable in- 
ventive genius, the residt of which is an ad juslnlile 
hinge for farm gaits and a self car-coupler, u|if)n 
which he has taken out a patent, lie also invented 
a device hy which use any and all crank machin- 
ery overcomes the dead centre. This latter inven- 
tion, especially, is of great interest. 

To Mr. and Mrs. (ieorge there has lieen horn one 
child only, who died in infancy. Mrs. (i. was born 
in I'nion County. I'a.. Feb. 22, 1827, and in 1844 
removed with her parents to Sandusky County, 
Ohio. Her |)arent'< were Jacob and Sarah (liaker) 
Null, who spent their last years in I'nion County, 
I'a.. and .St. Joseph County. !\Iich.. respectively. 



i''S.\AC SCH()(IN.M.\K1:H. a well-to-do farmer 
] of Park Townshij), the son of an honored pio- 
_i neer of .St. Josc|)h County, and in the enjoy- 
ment now of a line properly, may be termed most 
pro|ierly a self-made man. His father came to 
Micliiiraii with very little means, liut with tliestrong 
hands an<l resolute will which seldom fail of bring- 
ing success. Like him. tmr subject has been one of 
the most useful members of the community in which 
he has lived and labored s<.> many 3-ears, and en- 
joys in a marked degree the esteem and confidence 
of the people around him. His i)ro|)erty, in the 
shape of a line farm of 1 in acres, with modern im- 
provements, is pleasantly locate<l on section 20. 

Our subject was born in I'ark Township. Oct. 10, 
18.'il, and is the son of Abraham and Cornelia 
(Tuttle) .Sehoonmaker, both natives of I'lster 
County, N. Y. There also they were reare<l and 
married, and thence emigrate<l to Michigan in 18.S7. 
The father purchasefl eighty acres of land in I'ark 
Townshiji at ♦fi.2.'> |>er acre, from which he cleare<l 



the timber at a lime when his neighbors were few 
and far between, lie and his excellent wife .en- 
dured hardship and privation, together with the 
toil and anxiety common to those who were strug- 
gling to build up a homestead from the wilderness, 
with ix>or facilities for market, and the many in- 
conveniences incident upon the absence not only 
of railroads, but every other means of spec<ly loco- 
motion. 

.Vbraliam Sehoonmaker was an energetic .and ca- 
pable man. and became prominenl in the affairs of 
his township, serving as .Sui)ervisor and .lustice of 
the Peace for nearly twenty years, with credit to 
himself and in a manner satisfactory to the |)eople 
around him. He was kept in the ollice until de- 
clining its cares antl resi>onsibilities. He identi- 
fied himself with the Presbyterian Church when it 
was established at Three Rivers, and during the 
remainder of his life contributed liberally and 
cheerfully to its supixirt. In his death the county 
lost one of her best citizens and most public-spirited 
men. His decease took place Feb. 4. 1882. The 
wife and mother ha<l p.assed to the better hind the 
previous year, her death occurring Aug. 3(1. 1H«1. 

The parental houseluild of our subject included 
seven children, four of whom are living, namelv: 
Harvey, a resident of Park Township; Edward T.. 
of Park Township; Rachel, widow of the late Scott 
Rankin, of Cenlreville, this Stale, and Isaac, of our 
sketch. The father, politically, was a stanch Dem- 
ocrat, and was familiarly known .as "Old Squire 
SclKMinmaker." \lo performed the marriage cere- 
mony for many a couple in the pioneer days, and 
was the favorite of young and old. being of that 
cheerful tem|HM-ament which made friends of all 
with whom he came in conl.act. 

Our subject was reared Ut manlKxHl un<ler the 
parental roof, pursuing his first studi«'s in the dis 
trict school. Later he attondcfl Hillsdale College, 
where he prepared himself for the profession of a 
teacher, which he followed for a period of fourteen 
winters in succession, :uid in the summer usually 
worke<i upon the farm. He was married, April 12. 
1877, to .Miss Martha Deals, also a n.alive of this 
county, and the d:nighter of Oranlum and Tlieres.i 
(Mack) Deals, of Park Township. Of this imion 
there was born one child, a daiighter Afaliel. .\pril 



4' 



582 



.t 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



17, 1881. Jlr. Sclioonmaker owns a one-third in- 
terest iu 220 .acres of land, wliere he lives and where 
he has carried on farming continuously for a pe- 
riod of fifteen years. Like his father beft)re him. 
he is a stanch Democrat, politic-ally, has served as 
.School Inspector two terms in his district, and 
Township School Superintendent for three terms. 
He olHi-iated as Township t'lerk seven years in suc- 
cession. Socially, lie is a member in good standing 
of the F. & A. M., Lodge No. 206. .at Moorepark, 
in which he is Master. .June 25. 1888. he was ap- 
pointed Postal Clerk on the Grand Rapids & VAk- 
liart Railroad. 







ON. W.\RREN J. WILLITS, .an ex-member 
of the .Michigan .State Senate, and now 
^ President of the Sheffield Velocipede Car 
Company, having its factory and head- 
quarters at Three Rivers, is regarded as one of the 
most capable business men of the city. He is a 
native of this Stale, having been l)orn in Cambria 
Township. Hillsdale County, Aug. 19, 1853. His 
father. .Jonathan Willits. was twice married, his 
first wife being Laura Pinley; she died a few 3-ears 
after their marriage, leaving a daughter, who is 
now the wife of .John Tracy, of .lackson. Tenn. 
Some time afterward Mr. Willits was united in mar- 
riage with Ann E. Finle3', a sister of his first wife. 
All were natives of Wayne County. N. Y. This 
latter union was blessed witli several children, of 
whom, however, only two lived to maturity, our 
subject being the elder. 

Jonathan Willits was a farmer, pursuing that 
vocation in the State of New York for many j-ears. 
Believing, however, that there w.is a lietter field for 
ills labors in the young and growing State of Michi- 
gan, he at an earlj- day emigrated to Hillsdale 
County, where he tilled its primitive soil success- 
fully. His first visit to Michigan was m.ade in 
1833, while it was a Territor3-, and two vears later 
he made settlement in Hillsdale. There he re- 
mained until 18t;4. when he sold his farm and 
removed to Three Rivers, where he engaged in the 
manufacture of wooden ])umps. conducting that 
busine.ss with reasonatile success until 1877. He is 



V 



now retired from active labor, but still makes his 
home in Three Rivers, an honored citizen, and in 
the enjo3'ment of a competence acquired b^- years 
of industry. He hsis never taken a very active 
part in puldic matters, but h.as been a member of 
the Town Council for several terms. When a youth 
his opportunities for educ.ation were limited, but 
his native shrewdness and close observation have 
made him a well-informed man. 

At the time of his parents' removal to Three 
Rivers, Warren J. Willits was but a boy of fourteen 
3'ears. His life has since been spent within the 
limits of the eitv which he still calls home, and 
which is proud to own him !js one of its best citi- 
zens. He began his business career as clerk in the 
feed store of A'. B. Clark, with whom he remained 
two vears. Subsequentlv he clerked in the post- 
office under A. B. R!inne3-, and filled that position 
acceptably for a period of three years. Next as 
book-keeper he entered the emplo3- of the Michigan 
Pump Compan3-. with which he was connected four 
3'ears. 

Having now accumulated some capital, Mr. 
Willets formed a partnership with his father, and 
thev conducted the manufacture of pumps one 
year, when the business was merged into the firm 
of Willits & Webb, which partnership continued 
.about five years. In 1879 our subject associated 
himself with Ceorge S. Sheffield, the inventor of 
what is called the railroad velocipede, and began 
the manufacture of the same in a small w.ay under 
the firm name of Oeorge S. .Sheffield iV Co. Thev 
sold the first few machines manufactured to the 
Michigan Centr.al Railroad, and the result of this 
was a growing demand, which compelled them to 
enlarge the capacit3' of their works, and conduct 
the l)usiness on a more extensive scale. 

Mr. Sheffield finally disposed of his interest 
therein in 1882. and a joint stock company w.is 
formed under the name of the '"Sheffield Veloci- 
pede Car Companv." the entire stock being owned 
by Warren J. Willits. E. B. Linsley and R. H. 
Webb. Mr. Willits is President. Mr. Linsley 
Secretarv and Treasurer, and .Mr. Webb Vice 
President. Shorth- after the organization of the 
comp.any. thev began the manuf.acturc of handcars 
and |>usli cars. Five years later they began put- 






t. 



••»> 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



583 



ting out railroad stand pipes. Tlio works are lo- 
t-ated in tiicsoullicrn ])art of the cit)', near the tracks 
of till' Mifliipm Central and I.ako Shore <V Miclii- 
gan Southern linilroad;). whieli atlords tlieni admira- 
ble shipping facilities. The linildinfjs have been 
frrently enlaraed, and are substantial structures of 
brick and wood, conijirising an area of about 60,- 
000 square feet of floor space. The amount of 
business transacted by the company is indicated b\' 
the fact that thcj- give employment at times to a 
force of 200 men. Their protUicf.s are sold all 
througli the United States, besides being shipped to 
foreign countries, including .Vustralia. They fre- 
quently- send out as many as 100 machines at one 
shipment. This is the leading industry of the 
county. .\ private office is finely fitted up and 
equipped with every convenience for the rapid 
transaction of business. 

-Mr. Willits wa.s married in IHTG, at the age of 
twenty-three years, to Mis-s Addie E. Webb, of 
Three Rivers, who was liorn in Miildlesex County, 
Conn., in 1853. Her father, H. II. Webb, Esq., 
now a resident of Three Rivers, was also a native of 
that county, and came to Michigan about IHtK). 
The maiilen name of her mother was Adeline A. 
French, and Mrs. Willits was an only child. Of 
this union there have Iieeu born a daughter and son, 
Eleanor, in .Inly, 1877, and Webb, in -March, 1883. 
Mr. Willits and his wife are members of the En- 
glish Lutheran Church in Three Rivers, of which 
he is both Treasurer and Trustee. He also takes a 
warm interest in the .Sunday-school, which is the 
largest in .^t. .loseph County. a7id of which he is 
.Superintemlent. An upright man and a good citi- 
zen. Mr. Willits enjoys the confidence and esteem 
of all who know him. 

The Kir>t National H.-uik of Three Hivers num- 
bers Mr. Willits among its Directors and stock- 
hohlers. He uniformly vt)tes the Republican ticket, 
and w!is elected by that party to the oIliceofTown 
Clerk many years ago. He was next made a mem- 
lier of the City Council, and in 188(!, .-is the nomi- 
nei" of his party for the .'^tate Senate, was elected 
by a hand.some majf)rity. While in the Legislature 
he served on various im|H>rtant committees, one of 
them being Railroads, Roads and Bridges. He was 
also a member and Chairman of the Agricultural 



College Committee, having in charge matters con- 
nected with the Northern Michigan Asylum for the 
Insane, lie li.as distinguished himself all through 
his career !is a liberal-minded and public-spirited 
citizen, warmly interested in all projects set on 
foot for the general welfare of tiie people. He be- 
gan life dependent ujjon his own resources, and by 
the exercise of industry and perseverance has at- 
taine<l to a leading position among his fellowmen. 
He maintains there is always •■nx)m at the top" 
for every man who will sufHciontly exert himself. 



ellARLES E. SAHIN. This gentleman, a 
man of more than ordinary intelligence, is 
numbered among the fortunate few who pos- 
sess a record of their ancestors for sever.nl genera- 
tions back. The Sabin family is ancient in its set- 
tlement in the United States, the first representative, 
it is believed, having been one William .Sabin, who 
first prominently appears at the organization of 
Rehoboth, Mass., in 1G43. Tradition says he came 
from Wales, where he had found a refuge in flight 
as a Huguenot from France. He was a man of 
wealth and culture, also very benevolent, as is 
shown in the records of the .States, giving of his 
substance to those who suffered from the ravages 
of the Indians. He was a leading spirit in the 
Rehoboth schools an<l the church affairs of I'ly- 
nioiith. Who his first wife was is not known, but 
she died soon after 1660. and he was married to 
Martha, daughter of .lames Allen. He was the 
father of twenty children. His will was probated 
in Boston, .luly 17. 1687, during the admiinstra- 
tion of Gov. Andrews, and is still on file among the 
.Stale recorfls. 

The subject of this sketch. n(*w a resident and 
druggist of Centrevillc. is a direct descendant of 
William .Sabin. as shown by the genealogy of the 
family. He w.as born in Orland, Steuben Co.. 
Ind., .lune 6, 1838. and is the son of Elihu and 
Lucy (Eaton) Sabin. the father a native of Ver- 
mont, and the mother of Massachusetts. The par- 
ents, after the birth of our subject, lived in Imli- 
ann, ami spent their last years in Orland, that State. 
Charles E. was reared in his native county, and 



i' 



-4^ 



584 



\ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



after emerging from the district school entered the 
ac:ifk*my at Oriaiul, where he completed his studies. 
Thereafter lie employed himself at clerking in a 
store until the outbreak of the Rebellion. Imbued 
with the patriotism of his forefathers, who had been 
in a marked degree the upholders of libert}' and 
justice, be proffered his services to his country', en- 
listing in Company A. 29th Indiana Infantry, giv- 
ing a service of nearly three years. His regiment 
was assigned to the Armj- of the Cumberland, and 
operated mosll}' in Jventncky, Tennessee, Alabama 
and Georgia. Mr. .Sabin within a year after enlist- 
ment was promoted to the post of Hospital Steward, 
and met the enem3' at the battles of .Shiloli, Coi inlh, 
St<jiie River, Chickainaiiga. ami in other desperate 
engagements. He escaped wounds and impriron- 
ment, but on the 1st of .January, 1864, received a 
severe fall on the ice at .Stevenson, Ala., from 
which his right leg suffered permanent injur}'. He 
remained in the army, however, until .September, 
18fil, and then, or. account of an affection of the 
e3'es, was obliged to accept his honorable discharge. 
Later his injured limb began trouliling him, and he 
was obliged to iiave an ainpuUition performed in 
February, 1883. 

After leaving the service Mr. Sabin returned to 
his native town, where he was emploj-ed as clerk 
in a dry-goods store. Later he migrated to Ed- 
gerton, Ohio, remaining there, however, only a 
short time. Thence he came to Centreville, this 
county, in February, 1870. and in September fol- 
lowing engaged in mercantile business at Nottawa, 
which he conducted until 187'.t. In the meantime 
he had oHiciated as Postmaster of that place, from 
January, 1871, until the time of his removal. In 
the spring of 1871 he was elected Justice of the 
Peace, and served continuouslj" .as such (being re- 
elected in 187(5) until March, 187i), when here- 
moved to Frankim County. Neb., in hopes that a 
change of climate might be a benefit to his health. 
In November, 1879, he returned to Kdgerton, 
Ohio, and engaged in dairying, and the manufactur- 
ing of cheese one season. Subsequently he resumed 
mercantile business in that place. He returned to 
Michigan in October, 1883, locating in Centreville, 
of which he has since been a resident. He soon 
established a drug business, in wliith he is at fires- 



ent engaged. He carries a full line of drugs, medi- 
cines, paints, oils, books and stationery, wall pa- 
pers, notions and famil}' groceries. His capital 
stock is 83,000, and his annual sales aggregate about 
$5,500. His courteous dealing and promptness in 
meeting his obligations have secured for him the es- 
teem and confidence of his many patrons, and he 
occupies a good position in both social and business 
circles. 

M--. Sabin votes the straight Republican ticket, 
and is a member of the G. A. R. He has officiated 
as Town Treasurer two years, and h.os held the 
office of Clerk since the spring of 1888. He is 
also the Assessor of his school district. He was 
married in Edgerton, Ohio, Feb. 24, 18G9, to Miss 
Aurelia A. Long, a native of Ohio, and who was 
born Sept. 12, 1848. Mrs. Sabin is the daughter 
of George and Anna (Backus) Long, who were na- 
tives respectively' of France and Maryland, and 
both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. S. are the par- 
ents of three children — Frank A.. Harrj- C. and 
Clara A. .Mi-. Sibin identified himself with the 
Masonic fraternity in 18G7, and is a member in good 
st.'tnding of the Dutch Reformed Church. 



#^ 



-i- 



y..i MOS C. W(JLF came to this county in May, 
C@/tJI 1833. a little pioneer four years of age. ae- 
/// ISi conipanied by his parents. His Lather. 
g^ John Wolf, of whom ample mention is 

made elsewhere in this volume, settled on section 
27, in Lockport Township, taking up a tract of 
wild land, from which he constructed a comforta- 
ble homestead, where he spent the remainder of his 
days. He was- born in Columbia County, Pa.. Nov. 
17, 1794, and died at the age of fiftj'-six j-ears. 

The mother of our subject. Mrs. Barbara Ann 
(Drescher) Wolf, also a native of Pennsylvania, 
survived her husband a number of years, and die<l 
at the old homestead in Lock]xirt Township, at the 
age of seventy-four. John Wolf w.as greatly pros- 
pered in his Western venture, and in time became 
the i)ro|)rietor of 800 broad acres lying on sections 
27 and 22, the whole of which he brought to a good 
state of cultivation. His energy- and industry were 
proverbial, his honesty and integrity unimivacha- 
•► 



r 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



586 






hie. His life and labors had a distinct bearing 
upon tlic ili'\ flo|iini'nt ami prosperity of St. Joseph 
County. 

Tiie ])arental household of our subject included 
ten cliildmi. all of wlioni. wilii the exception of 
one bt>y, .Stephen, irrew to nialureyears. ](resenling 
one of the line.-it families In tliis region, and rejire- 
senting the high qualities handed down to them 
from a noble ancestry. Amos C our s\iliject, was 
born in the village of JlilHin, Cohinibia Co., Pa.. 
Nov. 1. 1H2'.). and was the eighth chilil of the fam- 
ily; Samuel, the eldej^t, died .at the homestead 
when twenty-one \-ears of age; .Stephen, already 
spoken of, died at the age of eleven years; he was 
the second child. .losiah is a well-to-do farmer of 
Florence Township, and is written of elsewhere in 
this volume; Catherine, Mrs. Is.aac 1-V>rt. died at 
Lockport when forty-two years ohl; Daniel F. died 
in Centreville at the age of sixty-two; John F. is a 
resident of Loekixtrt; Aaion died at the old home- 
stead when eighteen years old; Mary Ann became 
the wife of David Antes, and <lied in J^ockport 
when forty-three years old; Thomas H. is a resi- 
dent of LockiMirt Township. 

The suliject of this sketch acquired his education 
in the common schools of Lock|)ort Township, and 
hai: been a tiller of the soil the greater part of his 
life. His pro|H'rty comprises his father's home- 
stead, embracing 320 acres of valuable land. About 
18().'(. withdrawing somewhat from the active labors 
of farm life, he became interested in other enter- 
prises, and is now one of the princijxil stockholders 
in that |M>pular Institution at Centreville widely 
and favorably known as the A. C. Wolf ife Bros.' 
Bank. This was established in March. 1881, and 
receives the patronage of tlie substantial business 
men of this part of the county. 

\N hen a young man of twenty-four years Mr. 
Wolf assumed the more serious responsibilities of 
life by his marriage. Oct. ."i, 18.j;J, to .Miss Marietta, 
daughter of (iarrett ami KIsie ((Inrrison) .Sickles. 
Her parent.s were natives of Yates County, N. Y., 
and she w.os their third child. She was b<»rii there 
Feb. 28. 18."}((. and when an infant of seven months 
was brought by her parents to this cf)unty, her 
father taking up the second farm we-st of Three 
Rivers. The parents s|K'nt their last years in Fa- 

49 



bins Township, the father dying in 18G.1 and the 
mother in I8;J'.I. Mr. ami Mrs. Wolf Ix'came the 
parents of one child only, a son, tleorge T.. born 
Sei)t. 8, I8.J4. He wius given an exwilent educa- 
tion, completing his studies in the Commercial Col- 
lege at Kalania/.oo. He was married. Nov. 29, 
1882. to Miss Amanda, d.-uighter of Robert .Mc- 
Clinley, a native of Scotland. George T. Wolf 
h.as been ipiile prominent in local affairs, and gives 
promise of a worthy and honorable career. 

-Mr. Wolf during his early manhood identified 
' himself with the Democratic party. .Vftcr the war 
j the (Greenback (luestion clainuMl his attention and 
i .symjjathies, and as the candiflate for this party he 
w.as elected County Trea.surer in 1878. He has 
also served as Highway CV)nimissioner a number of 
years, and in all the relations of life, whether pub- 
lic or private, h.as maintained the reput/ition of the 
dignitied and law-abiding citizen, giving his en- 
couragement and support to those enterprises best 
calculated to advance the interests of the commu- 
nity, .socially, miirally and intellectually. .Mrs. 
Wolf, a lady held in high esteem, is a memlwr in 
good stiuiding of the Reformed Church at Centre- 
ville. Her paternal grandfather, (larrett .Sickles, 
did good service in the American .\rmy as a sol- 
dier during the Revolutionary War. 



|t,-^KNKV 15. SMITH, late a successful business 

man and prominent citizen of Three Rivers. 

was born in Seneca County, N. Y.. and wa.s 

)i the .second son of Rogers .Smith, lliscliild- 

I <1 was spent in his native county, and in coming 

to the West a few years later he was accompanied 
by his brother-in-law. .lohn N. Wheeler, who set- 
tled in this county, where our subject w;ls reared 
to man's estate. He iK-e.-inu- interested in farming 
pursuits and located in Kalaniaz<K) County, when- 
he dealt extensively in live stock, buying ami 
shipping. In I87(the i-ame to Three Rivers, and 
began dealing in grain largely in the interest of 
Kalamazoo firms. 

I'lHin coining to this county Mr. .Smith was soon 
Actively iduulifietl with its business interests, and 



-•► 



^,'^' 



586 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



was one of the principal movers in the organiza- 
tion of tlie FarnuM's' Bank of Three Rivers, becom- 
ing a stockhohler and director, wiiicli position he 
held until the time of his death, in the spring of 
1876. He was married, in 18.53, to Jliss Maria, 
second daughter and fifth cliild of Charles and 
Mary JIacomber. Of this union tiiere are two 
sons living, twins, Henry 15. and Frank H. One 
cliild died in infancy. 

Mr. Smith, |)ulitically, was an active Republican, 
and financially, a successful business man. leaving 
a large estate in lands and money. After his death 
Mrs. Smith purchased what is now known as the 
Henry Dickerson residence, a handsome two-story 
brick, one of the most desiralile dwellings in the 
city. Immediately opposite is another fine brick 
residence Itclonging to the .Smith estate. Mrs. S. 
was born in Genesee Countj-, N. Y., and removed 
with her parents to Michigan when twelve years 
old. Besides the property already mentioned, she 
has a good farm just across the line in Kahimazoo 
Countj', and the two sons own a valuable tract of 
imi)r()ved land in Cass County, which they are 
operating to excellent advantage. 



•€-*^ ^ 





R. DARHS C. GKK. Three Rivers has 
l) no rea.son to I»c asliauu'd of her professional 
men, and as connected with the practice of 
medicine, the gentleman whose name pre- 
faces tliis sketch occupies a good iwsition among 
his l)retiiren. He is a native of this State, having 
been born at Ann Arbor, April 11, 1829. His 
parents were Benjamin and Sarah (Cross) fiee, the 
father a native of A'ermont, and the mother of 
Genesee County, N. Y. The elder Gee left New 
F^ngland early in life, and was married in the F'm- 
pire State. Thence he migrated to Michigan Ter- 
ritory as early as 1826, eleven \-ears before it was 
admitted to the I'niim as a Slate. 

Ann Arbor at the time Benjamin Gee came to 
this section of country was but a small village of 
a few illy constructed houses. The family li\ed 
there ten years, and in 1836 came to this county, 
locating in Centre ville, also at that time but the 
beginning of a town, where the father pursued his 



trade of mason and jilasterer. He lived tliirty- 
seven years thereafter, his death taking place in 
1873, wlien he was quite well advanced in years. 
The mother survived her husband a number of 
3'eai-s. her death taking place in Nottawa Townsliip, 
in October. 1887. wlien she w.as i)rubably seventy- 
six j'ears old. 

To the parents of our subject there were born 
eleven children, six sons and five daughters, seven 
of wliom grew to mature years, and five are still 
living. Of these. Darius C, our subject, w.as the 
second born. He was a mere child when coming 
to this county, and his early education was con- 
ducted in the schools of Centreville. AVhen reacli- 
ing m.an's estate he decided to adopt the medical 
profession, and accordingly entered the office of 
his paternal uncle. R. S. Gee. under whose instruc- 
tion he read medicine, and then look a course of 
lectures in the: Homeopathic ^Medical College, at 
Cleveland. Ohio. When the course was ended he 
returned to Centreville, where he entered upon the 
practice of his profession, and in consequence of 
close attention to business, accumtdatcd a comforta- 
ble property, and still continues in the enjoyment 
of a good patronage. 

In years gone by Dr. (ice has taken a great de- 
liglit in hunting the game which abounded in this 
country in the early days, deer, bear and antelope, 
and in Kans.is the buffalo and wild turkey. The 
Doctor when but a boy took his first lessons in the 
art of killing the deer from Columbia Lancaster, 
one of the founders of Centreville and President 
of the Red Dog Bank, one of those wild cat 
banks that were scattered over the countr3- in an 
early day. The Doctor has a fine collection of 
birds in his office, also buffalo horns, deer heads, etc., 
that succombed to his unerring aim. The writer 
saw in his possession a flint which he procured at 
Three Rivers, Mich., which measured twelve and 
one-fourth inches in length and five ami three- 
fourth inches in width, being flat and oval In shape. 

Dr. Gee took unto himself a wife and helpmate 
Jan. 23, 1853, Miss Henrietta Powers, of Nottawa, 
this county. Mrs. Gee w.as born Sept. 21. 1835, 
and died Nov. 23, 1874, in W.isepi. this township. 
She was thedaugliter of Henry and .Vlmina (Fields) 
Powers, who were natives of \ermont. and spent 
•^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



587 



tlieir last yciirs in St. .loscph C-oiinly. Henry Pow- 
fi's liiiilt the lirs; liot?l in Nottnwii Townslilp. To 
tin- Doctor ••111(1 Mrs. (!eo then' iiavc liwn hum five 
children, only three of whom are livinff. Mary 
M. is the wife of .loseph K(n-ho. and a resident of 
Tennessee; to tlieni four children were horn: Harry 
died in infancy; Maml, horn Se|it. 1(1, 187."); an 
infant deceajied; Charley, liorii June 12, 188.'). 
Festus A. is a resident of Corinth, Iowa; Charlie 
M. continues at home with his parents. The Doc- 
tor is a meinher of the Hoard of Health of Not- 
tawa Township, and a citizen of note in iiis com- 
munity. 



^^EORGK \V. (WLMSl'lK. .\nioni; the peac<>- 
II '^m) '''''^' '"*'"' '='"'--''''i'''"i^ citizens, wiio have jnir- 
^^Sl sued the even tenor of their way, making 
compar.ativcly little stir in the world, but perform- 
ing life's duties in a faithful and praiseworthy 
manner, the subject of tliis sketch is must worthily 
numbered. He has followed carpentering nearly 
all his life since readiing mature years, with the 
exception of six years spent as a dealer in Hour and 
feed. He is a skilled workman, and the city of 
Tiircf Rivers and vicinity, wiiere he h.as operated 
for nearly forty years, hears evidence in many sub- 
stantial structures of tlie ingenious w^ork of his 
hands. 

The State of Pennsylvania, which Inis contributed 
so many of her .sons for the development of the ( 1 reat 
West, contained the early home of our subject, he 
having been horn near the town of .Milton, in 
Northumberland County, March 12, 1822. His 
father. Daniel (lillispic. w.as also a native of that 
Stjite. and married .Miss .Vnna Kmery. who was born 
in New Jersey. The former followed agricultural 
pursuits, hut was cut down in the prime of life, 
dying when his son (Jeorge W . w.-is a mere boy. 

By the death of his father our subject wx-j thrown 
upon his own resources at a tender age. antl was 
Uiken into the home of a farmer of his native 
county, with whom he remained until a latl of j 
fourteen years. He wiw the second child of the j 
family, which consisted of two sons ancl three 
daughters, four of whom survive. The eldest, 
William, di«Kl in De.'ember. 1887. at hi'- home. 



-r 



George W. servecl the regular apprenticeship of 
three ye:irs at the cabiiiet-inak<;r's traile. which he 
followed continuously for thirteen years. In the 
meantime he was married, in. his native county, 
July 2(1, 1811. to Miss Sarah Newman, who was a 
native of liiioii Counly. I'a.. ainl Ihi' dMU'jliti i- of 
John Newman. 

Mr. ami .Mrs. (iillispie spcnl the lirst years of 
their wedded life in their native Slsite, but in the 
spring of 1819, bidding adieu to the friends and 
associatitms of their youth, migrated westward to 
this count}-. Locating in Three Uivers, our sub- 
ject employed himself a year at cabinet-making, 
then began working as a carpenter, and followed 
this continually until 1874. in which year he em- 
barkefl in the (lour and feed business. I'pon retir- 
ing from this he began the manufacture of the arm 
lock spring bed machines, forK. A. Jones, tu which 
business he devotes the greater part of his time. 
His family (N>iisists of himself ami wife only, their 
only daughter. .Mary C.. having died at the age of 
nine years. Our subject and his excellent wife are 
members in good standing of the Presbyterian 
Church, in which .Mr. G. is a Trustee, and to which 
he has given, according to his means, liberal and 
cheerful support. Socially, he belongs to Lodge No. 
57, .\. F. i .V. M..and also to the Chapter at Thrin; 
Rivers. He cares little about oHicial honors, hav- 
ing served onlv as a Councilman of the citv. 



iLORCiK \V. FL LKi:U.st)N. The subject of 
this writing is among the most valued citi- 
zens the county possesses. He is making 
his chief business the cultivation of 22ii acres of 
land on sections 27 and 28. and his intimate knowl- 
edge of his calling in the .same is worthy of men- 
tion in any volume treating of the county. He 
came to this county in the spring of 18G.">, locating 
in Lockporl Township, where he ha* been n con- 
tinuous resident. 

The ancestry of an individual is next in im|)or- 
tance to his own pers(mality, ancl can never properly 
be omitte<l from the record of his life. (Jur subject 
comes from an old Penn.sylvanin stock, his parents 
having been .lohn and Lydia (Snyder) Fulkerson. 




■•► 



» ► i f^ 



4- 



0»H 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 




natives of Northumberland County. L'pon leavinj^ 
tlieir native State Jolin Fiilkerson and family re- 
moved to Summit County. Ohio, wliich place tliey 
made their liome until the death of their father, 
Aug. 24, 1863. The mother then came to this 
county and made her home with her son, our sub- 
ject, until her demise, Sept. 19, 1887. 

The parental family included twelve children, of 
whom our subject was the youngest in order of 
birth. He first saw the light in Summit Countj', 
Feb. Hi. 18-41. lie spent his early d.ays in the 
above-named county, occupied with the sports and 
p-astimcs incident to childhood, and gradually tak- 
ing ids place amid tiie sterner duties of youth and 
young manhood. Mingling with the exercises of 
the school-house were those wiiich could be in- 
trusted to him in connection with farming, until, 
almost uiKonsciously to himself, he was ready to 
take iiis pl.ace as an able worker in an_y department 
thereof. He remained at liome until the death of 
Ills father, with the exception of one and one-half 
years, and always lent a willing hand toward light- 
ening the many duties devolving u))on liis father. 
The farm of our subject was cmlicllished witii all 
the necessary buildings and machinery used by the 
modern agriculturist. 

Oeorge W. Fulkerson and Miss Nancy Delhivon. 
d.aughter of John and Nancy (McKnight ) Dellaven, 
wore unitcil in marriage May 26, 1864. This event 
took place in New IJedford, Pa. Tiie parents of 
Mrs. Fulkerson were born, the father Sept. 13, 
1793. :uul tlie mother Sept. 20, 1799. They also 
settled in Summit County, Ohio, remaining liiere 
until their death, that of the father taking place 
in March, 187.'). and the mother Feb. 10, 18.')7. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dellaven became the parents of 
twelve children, of whom Mrs. F. was thej-oungcst 
but one. She hailed from the same State and 
county as our subject, .Inly 16, 1810, having been 
the date of her birth. Our subject and his wife 
arc tlie proud parents of a daughter, Olie A., who 
is the wife of C. A. lK)ward. of Constantine; and a 
son, Clark H., who resides .at home with his parents. 

Our subject takes great interest in the jKjlitical 
situation, and casts his vote upon the side of the 
Union Lalmr party. He li.is heUl the ollice of 
Justice of the Peace for three vears, and discharged 



all duties of that office in a highlj- satisfactory 
manner. His wife is a member and regular attend- 
ant of the Presbyterian Church. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Fulkerson are known anrl respected by every- 
body', and no more hospitable home than theirs 
may be found in this region. A man of sterling 
j integrity and sound business principles, the word 
] of our subject is considered as good as his bond, 
and his name will be remembered with gratitude 
long after he has been gathered to his fathers. In 
1862 .and 1863 our subject belonged to Company 
II, of the Ohio Militia, under Capt. Stall. 



•Xflfifi?©^"" fe| 



K<< -^^WWWV 



OSE.V 15URCH. As a worthy representa- 
( tive of the i)ioneer element of this county, 

y^ a man who came to it in his boyhood .and 

^; has steadily clung to the State of his .adop- 
tion, the gentleman whose name heads this sketch 
is worthy of ample recognition. A self-made man 
in the strictest sense of the word, he w.as thrown 
upon his own resources early in life. le:irning self- 
reliance and indejjendence of character, and at the 
same time learned the important lesson that honesty 
is tlie best policy, and uprightness the surest safe- 
guard in all relations of life. 

Mr. 15urch hiis had an ample experience in the 
business walks of life, .anil has made the mo.st of 
his opportunities, keeping his eyes oi)en to what 
was going on around him. and learning things of 
more practical value oftentimes than cla.-isical book 
knowledge. At jjresent he is conducling one of 
the most flourishing livery, sale .and feed stables 
within the limits of Three Rivers. Such h.as been 
his deportment among his business associates and 
in the community at large, that he is a man invari- 
alily well spoken of, and thus enjoys a generous 
l)alronage from the best class of i)eople in Three 
Hivers and vicinity. 

Washington County. N. Y.. was the childhood 
home of our subject, and where his birth took 
place in the town of Heliron. Aug. 17. 1828; His 
father, Peter Hurch. was a native of the same 
State, and a farmer by occupation. The mother 
was in her girlhood Miss Anna .Scott, and she 



,t 



ST. .lUSEPll COUNTY. 



ij«'J 



jmssi'd nwaj' when licr .son Uosoa was a" mere in- 
fant, lie thus reiiionilicrs nothin<j of a mother's 
e.irc. When ii Inil of nine years he eaine to Miclii- 
gan, at'.'onipanied liy K. W. Chaniberlin, .stojjping 
(irst witli hiin in .Jaekson, .Iaek.son County, where 
he liveil until reacliing ninnliood. Soon afterward 
we find him in Lapeer County, where he spent 
three years, in the town of Kllia. During his so- 
journ tiiere lie formed the ac(|uaint.Hnce of .Miss 
Kllen Stone, who beeame his wife Jan. 1, IHol. 
This lady was a native of Canada, and the daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Demantha (Knowlton) Stone. 
her father a man of note in his eomniuuity and of 
good family. 

Soon after their marriage Mr. anil Mrs. IJureh 
took up their abode in this county, and our sub- 
ject entered the employ of the Michigan Southern 
Railroad ^Company, his duties lying on the St. 
Joseph Valley IJranch. he making his headquarters 
at Thrtf Rivers, and holding the position eighteen 
months. Later he engaged in the grocerj- busi- 
ness in the same place, but dispt)sed of his interests 
there in 185;j. In February of that year began his 
Brst e.xiterieuce in the livery business, which he 
conducted successfully until 18G3. 

The Civil War being now in progress. Mr. Burch 
sold his interest in the above-mentioned enterprise, 
and enlisted as a I'nion soldier in Company !I, 
2Htli Michigan Infantry. He was made First Lieut- 
enant upon the orgjinization of the company-, which 
w.as ijssigned to the 2M Army Corps, then at 
N.ashville. Tenn. From this place they were or- 
dered to Washington, I). C. and thence later were 
sent t<j Wilmington. N. C. Here began their lirst 
serious encounter with the enemy, they lighting 
their way through the State from Raleigh to (Jolds- 
boro, under the command of (Jen. .Sherman. In 
ISO.') Lieut. Hurch rcsigne(l his commission, and re- 
tnrneil home, aftt-r which he resumed business a> a 
liveryman, purch.nsing new slf)ck and the old stand 
which he had formerly occupied, and where we still 
And him. 

The stables and general outlit of which Mr. 
Rurch is the proprietor comprise a well-a.ssorte<l se- 
lection of horses and road vehicles of all kinds, 
and the ent<.'rprise h;i.s yielde<l him hand-iome re- 
turns. Ho ha-s put up a tine residence near his 



place of business, a two-stor}- brick house on Penn 
street, which, with its surroundings, forms a most 
[)lc:i.<anl and attractive home. His fireside has bex-n 
bright<Mied liy the birth of four cliililren. the eld- 
est of whom, a son, Frank W.. lives at lieidah. 
Kan.; Kmiiia L. is the wife of K. 15. Linslcy. of the 
Shclllcld Car Com()any, at Three Rivers; Charle,-i 
W. resides at Three Rivers, and Fannie is the wife 
of Robert H. Green, member of the llrni of Ilnrt- 
man <k (ireeu, of Three Rivers. 

Mr. Burch is a man who has a peculiar faculty 
of attending to his own concerns, meddling little 
with iK)litics, although he has decided views, and 
gives his supixirt to the principles* of the Demo- 
cratic party. He has served as Vill.age Trustee, 
and occupied the same position in connection with 
the Three Rivei-s C emetery for tlie past ten yesirs. 
He was a charter member of Excelsior Lodge, L (>. 
<). F., Three Rivers, belongs to tlie Kncampnient. 
and is also a M.isoii in good standing. 



i^^HOMAS B. WOLF. Nothing is more de- 
flii^^ liahtful than to traverse the auricullural dis- 
^^^ tricts during the harvest season, and note 
the thrift and indiistiy <>{ a nuijorilv of its people. 
From the abundance of its proilucts may be safely 
argued the character of the inhabitiiits, for the soil, 
however rich in its natural resources, must be judi- 
ciously tended, or man's expectations will come to 
naught. Prominent among the skilled farmers of 
this region m.ay be properly named the subject of 
this sketch, who has been liberally endowed with 
the (]ualilies which have insured his success, both as 
a tiller of the soil, a business man. and :i member 
of the community. 

Our subject traces his birthplace to Columbia 
County. Pa., where he first opened his eyes to the 
light May I, 1832. He did not live there long 
enough, however, to have fastened upon his niiiul 
any recollections of his surroundings, for when a 
child two j'cars of age he was brought by his par- 
enls to this county. The father settled on a tract 
of l.md ill Lock|M>rt Township, where he o|>eiieil up 
a good farm. an<I where the luiyhoo<l of Thomas B. 
was spent in atteiulance at the common s<'hool. and 



1 



•^^fMi- 



MO 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



in assisting his p.arents as his strenglli and knowl- 
eilge periuittefl. He remained under the parental 
roof until the death of his father, being then a 
youth of nineteen years. Soon afterward lie and 
his brother Amos assumed the management of the 
homestead, which at this time ctmiirised 250 acres 
on section 27. The brothers operated in partner- 
ship five years, and then Thomas H. disposed of his 
interest in the propertj' to Amos. The two then 
puiehased together 160 acres on section 34, Lock- 
port Township, after which another brother pur- 
chased the interest of Amos in this ICO acres, only 
twenty-two of which had been brought to astateof 
cultivation. Thomas B. and A. C. improved to- 
gether the. balance of this land, and our subject re- 
mained upon it for a term of ten years. He then 
sold forty acres to his brother John, and traded the 
lemaining 120 to his brother Daniel for eighty 
acres on section 35. From this latter he con- 
structed a. good homestead, where he has since 
lived. 

The 22d of March, 18.j4. witncs-sed the marriage 
of our subject with Miss Charlotte Klock. This 
lady was born in Montgomery County. N. Y.. Sept. 
H. Iti2y, and is the daughter of Cornelius and Kliza- 
beth (Riglit) (Fox) Klock. who were natives of 
Montgciniery. N. Y., and who sjient their entile 
lives in the Empire State. Her father w:is a native 
of Montgomery Countj', where he followed farm- 
ing, and died at the age of seventy-three years. 
The inolher had preceded her husband to the silent 
hind in middle age. when forty-live years old. 

Mrs. Wolf came to Michigan when a young girl 
of fifteen years, in company with her sister Cath- 
eiiiie. Mrs. Yauney. who is living in Centrevilie at 
the age of seventy-three. She was the sixth child 
of the parental household, which numbered nine 
children, six of whom grew to mature years. The 
survivors make their homes mostly in Centrevilie 
anil vicinity. To Mr. and Mrs. Wolf iliero was 
born one child only, a daughter. Carrie A., March 
21), lt<62. She was given a good practical educa- 
tion in the coniuion schools of Loekporl and Cen- 
trevilie. and is now the wile of E. E. Wilcox, of 
Loekporl; they were married Nov. 23, IfS". Mr. 
Wolf has mostly alliliatcd with the Democratic 
party, although being somew hat conservative in his 



ideas, and giving his support to the men whom he 
considers best qualifitd for t ffiee. In addition to 
his farming operations he has found that the feed- 
ing and shijiping of stock is a profitable industrj', 
and followed this about twentj' years, finding a 
read}' market at Chicago. Albany and Buffalo. Sirs. 
AVolf, a very estimable lady, is a member of the Re- 
formed Church. Mr. V>\ is a member of the A. F. 
& A. M., at Centrevilie. 



-^-I-^ 



-^ 




EE (). MILLER, a dentist commanding a 
lucrative practice in Three Rivers, and oc- 
cupying a good positioR in its business and 
social circles, is a native of the State of In<liana. 
and was born in St. Joseph County, May 1, 18-19. 
His parents. Adam and Slercy A. (Slead) Miller, 
were natives respectively of Ohio and Indiana, and 
are now living in St. Joseph County, the latter 
State. The fatlier is a farmer by occupation, and 
the parental family consisted of eight children, of 
■whom our subject was the fifth in order of birth. 
There were two daughters and , six sons, and of 
these four arc now living. 

The boyhood days of Mr. Miller were spent 
upon the farm, and he conned his early lessons in 
the district school. Later he became a student in 
the Northwestern Universitj- of Indianapolis, and 
soon after leaving this institution entered the col- 
lege at Eureka, 111., where he took a two-years 
course. He was then obliged to abandon his studies 
on account of failing health, and as soon as able 
engaged in farming. In tlie midst of this employ- 
ment he became stout and hearty, but his tastes 
inclined to a professional career, and he made up 
his mind Xv prejiare himself for the practice i<f den- 
tistry. 

With this end in view Mr. Miller entered the 
office of S. M. Cummins, of Elkhart. Ind.. where 
he was thoroughly initiated into the intricacies of 
this important calling. He selected Three Rivers 
for the scene of his future operations, opened aii 
Office, and soon found himself sufficiently busy. He 
has a practical knowledge of dentistry, and his' 
oHice is properly fitted up with all the appliances 
necessary for the e.xciution of first-class work. 

■ » 



f- 



»► II M* 






ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



591 




He koops liimsolf woll jiostod u|iiiii llic latest iii- 
vcntioiK-i 1111(1 i-oiilrivaiu'i's in uoiinei-tion with the 
profession, ami a short time siiu'c pnrchasp<l .in 
electric vibrator — a new (Icpjirliirc in the practice 
of (I'-ntistry for the extraction of teeth without 
pain. This shoi'k to the system, which is dreaded 
l>y most people, is, with the use of lhi» invention, 
frreatly alleviated, coiuprisintr a vast iniproveincnt 
on the old system. 

Dr. .Miller, on t!ie "iSd of December, 1880, was 
united in marriaire with .Mi.ss S. d.-ira Thorp, 
(laughter of .lohn Thorp. Ksq.. of Three Rivers. 
Mrs. Miller was born .Ian. 17. lH,'»i;. Her inarria<;e 
with our subject li.as resultcil in the birth of one 
child, a son, Jasper .Vlleii. Dr. .Miller is a favor- 
ite in the social and business circles of his conimu- 
nit V. 



5^ AMUKL A. FlTCIl, a vetcr.^n of sevent}-- 
seven years, and one of the best known and 
most liijj^hly respected residents of Lo<'kport 
Township, is the owner of 483 acres of 
valuable land, but makes his home mostly with his 
children, who are also located in this township. A 
native of Mahoning County, Ohio, he was born Oct. 
18, 1811, and came with his parents to Michigan 
Territory in 1830. His father, Charles B. Fitch, a 
man of property, hx-ated first .'<00 acres of land on 
Pigeon Prairie, a part of which he ini{iroved,and of 
which he retained |>ossessioti only about two j'ears. 
Then selling out to different parties, he came in the 
fall of 1 832 to Lockport Township, and traded an 80- 
acre tract of land on Pigeon Prairie for a half-interest 
in a mill site, together with l.")7 acres adjoining on 
section 31 in L<jckport 'I'ownship. Here he erected 
a sawmill, with a run of stone for grinding wheat, 
which enterprise proved a very profitable invest- 
ment. After a time he added 203 acres to his real- 
estate possessions, and occupied this property a 
|)eriod of about ten year?. 

About 1842 .Samuel A. Fitch, our subject, pur- 
chased the greater amount of land in Lockport 
Township owned by his father, and the latter re- 
moved to Bremer County, Iowa, where he lived 
two or three j-ears. and then changed the scene of 
Ills operations to Chicago, 111. In this latter city 



he and his excellent wife spent the remainder of 
their days. The father of our subji-ct had been a 
very pri>minent man in his day. a man of more than 
ordinary intelligence, and who kept himself well 
posted upon current events. In Seneca and .San- 
dusky Counties. (.)hio, he tilled the ollice of District 
Judge, and was also Judge after becoming a resi- 
dent of this county. The parental household in- 
cluded twelve children, five sons ami seven daugh- 
ters, of whom .Samuel A. was the sixth in order of 
birth. 

Further facts in relation to the career of Charles 
B. Fitch must properly be mentioned. He was born 
in I-itcldicld. Conn., in 17Hl). where he wjis reared 
to manhood, and married Miss Harriet Bissel. Up 
to this time he had been engaged since a youth in 
farming pinsuits. He removed first to Trumbull 
County. Ohl<>, and later to Mahoning County, 
where he engageil in farming. Later he changed 
his residence to Sandusky County, and then em- 
barked as a sailor on the lakes, following the water 
a period of three years _and becoming Captain of a 
vessel. Farming pursuits, however, suited him bet- 
ter, and when resuming life upon terra firma he 
settled near Tiffin. Seneca Co.. Ohio, of which he 
was a resident six j'cars and until 1 830, when he 
migrated to Michigan with his family, during its 
Territorial days. During his early manhooil and be- 
fore the removal to Ohio, he shouldered his musket 
in the War of 1812, and later w.is on the frontier 
supplying the army with provisions. In whatever 
capacitj- he was called to fill he pieserveil the same 
cnergj- of character which made of his life a more 
than ordinary success. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to man's 
estate at the homestead in this county, acquiring an 
education common to the j'oung men of these daj-s. 
The ambiti(m of those young men was usually the 
worthy (me of seeking to cstJiblish a home of their 
own early in life, and our subject when twenty-six 
years old proved no exception to the rule, and was 
united in marriage with the maiden of his cho'ce. 
Miss Catherine K., daughter of .Samuel Reemsn^-- 
dcr. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, 
and came to Michigan at an earl}- day. where the 
father farmed in pioneer style, meeting with the 
usual rcsulUs of |>erscvenince and industry, and 



^' 



♦*♦ 



-^•- 

:,'.)> 



-■» 



4. 



ST. JOSEl'll COUNTY. 



p:i.«se'l away at tlic nn:e of ^ixty-sevpn years Of 
Mrs. Fiteli's union with our suliji-ct there were five 
eliildren. of whom Imt twx) are living. One son, 
SamiH'l. (lied when a promising young man of 
t"enty-two j'ears, of heart disease, while serving as 
a soldier in the Union Army; the second child died 
in infancy nnnamcd ; Edward 11. was tai<en from the 
iiouschold circle when a liltle lad eight years of age. 
The survivors are: Jlilton B.. who married Miss 
.Susan C'aseman; he occupies a good farm on sec- 
tion 31. in Lockport Township, and is the father 
of three children. Franklin N. married Miss Alice 
Tackellierry ; they have four children. 



I 



5^ AMUEL P. ADAMS, a pioneer of '3.5. when 
coming first to this county located on a 

[/^_S) farm in Flowerfield Township, where he 
spent two years. In 18.')() he changed his 
residence to the suburbs of Three Rivers, purchas- 
ing forty acres of laud, a jjart of which now lies in 
the corporate limits, and is valual)le ])ropcrty. He is 
now practically retired from active labor, is a man 
of means, and able to live at his ease. lie owns a 
farm of 210 .acres in Flowerfield Townshii), and 
220 acres in l-'abius Township, besides his present 
home. lie still sujierintends the operations of his 
farm, which is larefely devoted to stock-raising. 

The farm of Mr. Adams in Fabius Township 
lies along the banks f)f Clear Lake, now a pO]udar 
resort for fishing parties. This lake is fifty feet 
above the level of Three Rivers, ami the water is 
of the quality indicated by its name, fed by springs 
which threw up in summer time a liquid nearly as 
cold as ice water. Mr. .\dams may properly be 
named among the self-m.ade men of St. Joseph 
County, for he commenced in life with no other 
means than his own resources, and has gradually 
made his way up to a good position, socially and 
financially. Ilis family consists of himself and his 
estimable wife, they having no children. 

The childhood home of Mr. Adams was in the 
vicinity c)f Rochester. Monroe Co.. N. Y.. where 
he w-as born .luly l.j. lH2:i. His father. Dr. .lolin 
.\dams. was a noted physician and surgeon, and 
married Miss Sarah Porter, who. like himself, was 



-4*- 



a native of Berkshire. Mass. The family is an old 
and highly respected one. of FInglish extraction. 
and w.as first represented on this side of the Atlan- 
tic probably during the Colonial d.ays. 

The parents of our subject after their marriage, 
leaving Kew England, settled in Henrietta, X. Y.. 
but two years later removed to Lyons, in Wayne 
County, where the father followed the practice of 
his profession many years, and where he spent 
his declining vears; the mother is .also deceased. 
The parental household included four children, of 
whom Samuel P., our subject, was the eldest born. 
He attended the common schools at Lyons, and 
later Ijecame a clerk in a general store, which occu- 
pation he followed about four years. After this 
he engaged as a contractor for canals, railroads, 
bridges, and other public works, until making up 
his mind to settle in the farther West. He was 
married in Newark. N. Y.. in 1857. to Senesa. 
daughter of Liberty and Lucy .Str.aw: .<hewas born 
in New York in 1831. 



L. 



P LIAS R. WILLEMIN. From the Keystone 



T^ St:itc there have emanated some of the most 
'^^ substantial men of the West. Within her 



borders the subject of this sketch was born, in Union 
County. Oct. 8, 1818. His first recollections are of 
the modest homestead in the township of Union, 
Pa., where he was reared amid the simple pui'suits 
of farm life, and obtained his education in the com- 
mon school. In the spring of 1840. when a young 
man of twenty-two years, he removed with his par- 
ents to Indiana, and remained a member of his 
father's household until the death of the latter, 
which occurred in 1844. Two years later, Elias R.. 
starling out for himself, commenced farming in In- 
diana, but in the fall of thatj'ear determined to seek 
his fortunes on the soil of Michigan. The month 
of November found him located in the vicinity of 
Moorepark, P«rk Township, upon a rented faim 
belonging to E. S. Moore, and which he operated 
two years. He then removed to the farm of his 
uncle, George Hill, conducting this also two years. 
In November of 1850 our subject purchased of 
Benjamin Gould, of Utica, N. Y.. eighty acres of 
wihl land one mile south of Moorepark. This 



i^^:*-^ 



t 



■^•- 



••► 



Sr. JOSKl'H COUNTY. 



693 ' ' 



property he iniproved, ami later traded for his 
present farm, wliich now eniliraees 210 acres on 
sections C, 3 and 1, of l^ocl»|)ort. Fnbiiis and Flor- 
ence Townships, respectively. Later Mr. Willeniin 
added to liis real estate by the purchase of forty 
.teres, and now has a fine body of land 250 acres in 
extent. Here he has been very successful in his 
operations as a tiller of the soil, and has gathere<l 
about him the modern conveniences and improve- 
ments essential to the prosperity of the agriculturist, 
of to-day. His buildings are substanti.il, while his 
farm machinery is of the latest improved pattern. 
He keeps a goodly assortment of live stock, and 
avails himself of modern metiiods, keeping himself 
well posteil in regard to the late inventions and the 
best methods of pm-suiug his calling. 

Of substantial Pennsylvania stock, our subject is 
the son of Francis and Catherine (Reniger) Wille- 
min, who were also natives of the Keystone .Slate, 
the father born in Lancaster County, May 8. 179.5, 
and the mother in Union County, Nov. 27, 1797. 
Francis Willemin was brought up on a farm, re- 
ceiving his education in the common school, but 
upon approaching manhood learned the cooper 
trade, which he followed during the winter seasons, 
while in summer he employed himself at agricult- 
ural pursuits. The parents were married in Union 
County, Pa., and removed thence early in life to 
Davis County, Ind., settling on a tract of new land 
about two miles from Washington, tlie county seat. 
The father purchased 160 acres, from which he 
cleared a farm and built up a good homestead. He 
w,as not permitted, however, to live to be aged, his 
death Uiking place in 1844, a few years aft*'r his re- 
moval to Indiana. 

The grandparents <if our subject on both sides of 
the house were natives of Southern Pennsylvania. 
The Willemins were originally from France. To 
Francis and Catherine Willemin, the parents of our 
subject, there were born nine children, all natives of 
I'ennsylvauia, and with the exception of our sub- 
ject, all died and were buried in Indiana. The 
mother liveil to be nearly seventy years of age, and 
spent her last years at the old homestead in the 
Hoosier .State. On the 7th of March, IftiJO, occurred 
one of the most interesting events in the life of 
our subject, namely, his marriage with Miss Nancv 



J., daughter of .Samuel and Kleanor (Brown) Allen, 
the wedding taking place at the bride's home in 
Moorepm-k. Mrs. Nancy .1. Willemin was the 
eldest child of her parents, and was born April 1.5. 
1823. in Pennsylvania. .Samuel Allen and his wife 
were natives of Harrisburg. Pa., and left the Key- 
stone State a few years after their marriage, settling 
in Knox County, Ind. The mother died at Vin- 
eennes when about seventy- j-ears of age. Mr. 
Allen afterward made his home with his daughter, 
Nancy J., and died at the age of seventy-three. 
The parental household includes five children, of 
all of whom are living. The father during the War 
of 1812 di<l good service in the American Arm}'. 

Mr. and Mrs. Willemin commenced their wedded 
life together in Park Township. .St. Joseph Co., 
Mich., and in due time became the parents of six 
children, who still forma household circle unbroken 
by death. The eldest daughter, Ella, is the wife of 
Cap Champlin, proprietor of a flourishing hardware 
business in Mendon; Mary, Mrs. Tallman. lives on 
a farm in .Sedgwick County. Kan. ; Martha H. is 
the wife of .Solomon Beckwitli, a carpenter and 
builder, of Red Clouil, Nob. ; Willi.im .M. is engaged 
in general merchandising at Wet/.ell. Anlritn Co., 
Mich., where he is also Postmaster; Anna, a 
young lady of good business talents, is cashier for 
the lirm of Hickmoltand Dewilt. general merchants 
at Mendon; George R. continues at home with his 
parents. 

Mr. Willemin is a member in good standing of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, while his estimable 
wife belongs to the Presb^'terian Church. Mrs. 
Willemin is the offspring of an excellent family, and 
her brother. .Samuel Allen, who died at Westfield. 
III., in 1886, was President of the college there, 
having acquired a fine education, and was a gradu- 
ate of Oberlin College. 

:-«^j- — 



WILI.IA.M II. VA.N in UK.N is one of the 
native-born citizens of .St. .Ifi.'H'ph County, 
^ „ who, sons of its noble pioneers, having been 
reared within its limits, developing with its growth, 
are now numbered among itw mo>t inlluenlial and 
honore<i citizens. He is a f:irnier and stock-gr4>wer 



*■ 



■^•■ 



.',!) t 



ST. JOSKPII COUNTY. 



-t 



in Florence Townslii)). liis fine farm l)eing located 
very pleasantly on .section 13, and he is closely 
identified with the ijublic life of the place, he 
licing Supervisor of the township, of which otlice 
he has been .in incumhent for a number of years. 

Henry \'an Hiiren. the father of oursiibject, was 
horn in New York, Feb. 9, 1803. In 183.5 he came 
to Wliite Pigeon, this county, and located some 
land: he then returned to his native State. After 
his marriage in 1837, he again came to Michisran, 
this time acoonipaiiied by his young bride, with the 
intention of slaying and casting in liis lot with the 
early pioneers of St. Joseph County'. He took an 
active part in develo|)ing the farming interests of 
the countj-. and wju-* for many years a useful and 
valued citizen until his death, Sept. 12, 1876. at 
Constantine. His respected wife still survives him, 
and makes her home with her son, our subject. Hut 
one other child was born of her marriage, Eliza, 
now the wife of David H. .Jones, of Hamilton. Mo., 
to whom she wa." wedded April 10, IH.'ji;. 

William 11. \aii liuren. the subject of this brief 
biography, was liorn in Florence. March ;'>, 1847. 
He spent his boyhood days .it home on the farm 
and at school. In IS.i.i-oK lie was a student at 
Hillsdale College. Jlichigan. and lie tlius received 
a sound, practical education. On his return from 
college he passed some time on the old homestead, 
assisting his father in the management of his farm- 
ing interests. In 1871 he commenced his career as 
an agriculturist, purchasing at that time his present 
farm. This comprises l.jT) acres of arablcj highly 
cultivated land, with neat and sulistantial build- 
ings and many other indicaticms that our subject 
ha.s i)rospered abundantly in the ]mrsuit of his 
t-hosen calling. He has been extensively and i)ro(it- 
ably engaged in breeding finel}' graded cattle, but 
now malvcs general farming his business. 

In 1870 Jlr. Van Huren wai^ married at Centre- 
ville to Caroline, the youngest daughter of .lohn 
Major, a native of New York. Her father w.as born 
in 1810, and died at Centreville in 18.')7. His wife, 
who survives him at an advanced age, was born 
Dec. 25, 1811. Mr. .Major w.as a farmer and mason 
by trade, and he first came to ^lichigan with his 
family in 1835. They soon returned to New York, 
where they remained two years. In 1837 they 



came back to ^Michigan and settled in Centreville. 
where Mr. !Major engaged in business. Si.\ chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Sirs. Slajor. and the 
date of the birth of their daughter Caroline, wife of 
our subject, was Dec. 12. 1848. Mr. and Mrs. A'an 
Kuren have one child, Ko.sslyn H.. born .Ian. 28. 
1875. 

Mr. Xnn Huren is a man of exemplary habits, ami 
in this county, of which he has been a lifelong 
resident, it is the general testimony of all who 
know him that he is upright and manly in his con- 
duct, alw.iys true to his obligations, whether in 
public or private life. He is often called to posi- 
tions of trust and responsibility, and in whatever 
office he is placed he discharges its duties with the 
signal ability that has always characterizetl his un- 
dertakings. He has held the offices of School In- 
spector. Townshi[) Clerk and Supervisor for a num- 
ber of years, being Supervisor »t the present time. 



-3^ 



^^LBERT G. BARTON. The n.ime of this 
/ l g^'nt.leman is familiarly known to the busi- 
Ijl » ness men of this county as that of the in- 
ventor and manufacturer of the Champion 
Hay Rack and Chief Land Roller, the works being 
located at the Lockpoit jiart of Three Rivers. Ag- 
riculture has received its best impetus from the 
hands of the inventive genins, and Mr. Barton is 
recognized as a man of more than ordinary talent 
and skill in connection with this industry, which has 
such a vast influence upon the success and prosper- 
ity of a county and State. 

The earl}- traiiii)ing ground of our subject was in 
Greene County, Ohio, where he was born Sept. 12, 
1836. The family is of English extraction, and the 
parents of our subject were Henry and Hannah 
(Hopping) Barton, both of whom died when their 
son Albert G. was a mere lad. The mother was 
a descendant of the earl}' settlers of Virginia, 
people of prominence and influence, who contributed 
greatly to its growth and development. 

Thus earh' left an orphan, ^oung Barton was 
thrown upon his own resources, after leaving his 
grandfather Hopping, to whom he was bound until 



4< 



ST. .lOSKlMI COUNTY. 



59o 



the nfre of fourteen 3'cnr!>. lie llien started out for 
himself, .■inil whs employeil on n farm until nineteen 
j'eMrs old, wiuM). ie.nvinj; his nntive SUile. he mi- 
grated to .Soiitli Ilonit. Ind., and thereafter for a 
time made bis home with his uncle. >lohii K. Gard- 
ner. Tlie latter aliout 1 .s."i!) came to this county, 
and purchased a tlonriug-inill in Constiintine, which 
he operated a numl)er of 3'ears. our suliject in the 
meanwiiile remaining with him as partner. Mr 
Barton finally sold out his interest in the liusiness 
and returned to Ohio. 

The Civil War being now in |iiugress Mr. Barton 
enlisted as a Union soldier in the T.'ith Ohio In- 
fantry, and for some time thereafter remained in 
camp near Cincinnati. Later they joined the bal- 
ance of the regiment at Parkeisburg, where Mr. 
Barton was taken ill an<l after a time sent home, 
subsequently- receiving his honorable discharge- 
He returned to Michij^au in March, 18G3. and en- 
gaged in the milling business at Constantine until 
1870. when he sold out, and invested a portion of 
his capital in a stock of general merchandise, estab- 
lishing himself in a store at White Pigeon. In 
IHSO he changed his residence to Three Rivers. 
He had in the meantime been giving all the time he 
coidd spare to the development of his invention 
and now commenced the manufacture of his hay 
rack, branching out later so thai he could also 
manufacture his land roller in connection with it, 
both of his own invention. 

Mr. Barton has also invented a haj' tedder and 
rake combined, and has also secured the patent u[Km 
this, as he has upon other inventions. The fac- 
tor}' in Three Kivers, Lockporl Township, was es- 
tablished in 1 880. and shipments are made by the 
carload to different States, both F.asl and West. 
The rack is very strong, with a capacity of haniU 
ling two to three tons of hay. This industry gives 
employment to quite a number of men. mostly 
during the winter season. The racks are packed 
in convenient form for shipping, and can be set 
up verj- easily, as they are simple in construction, 
which is the growing beauty of every invention. 
It is predicted that in the near future Mr. Barton 
will realize handsome returns for his labors and his 
inventive genius in connection with these. 

The Christmas of 1863 was a peculiarly interest- 



ing <lfly to Alliert G. Barton, being the time at 
which his marriage look place with Miss Mary .lane 
Schiirtz. then a resident of While Pigeon Prairie. 
I Mrs. Barton was born in August, 1841, in tiiis 
1 county, and is the daughter of James and Sarah 
(Kreps) Schurtz, who are now living on Pigeon 
Prairie. Her union with our suliject resulted in 
the birth of one child only, a son, llenrj' James, 
who continues under the home roof. The lime 
and attention of Mr. Baiton are mostly absorbed in 
his business interests, he having little leisure to 
give to political affairs, but he kec[)s himself fairly 
well posted upon curient events, and gives his sup- 
port to the Republican part}'. .Socially, he belongs 
to John C. Joss Post No. 124. G. A. R.. at Con- 
stantine. and alsi> to the Consistory. 



-^Jv-»- 



>^^^vt^:t5<-^ 



^^^ORMAN ROYS, of Florence Township, was 
I // '""" '" ^d'ofield. Berkshire Co.. Mass.. in 
IVs/XLi 1807, and reaTed upon a farm, attending 
first the common school, and later the High School 
at Lenox. He came West when a young man, and 
settling in Florence Tosvnslii|», this county, took up 
120 acres of land lying on sections o and C. He 
had before coming to the West been employed .is a 
teacher, and followe<l this profession considerably 
afterward. 

Mr. Roys was married, in Florence Township, 
March 10, I8;i7. to Mis,* Cart)linc. daughter of John 
Peek, and they became the parents of two sons and 
one daiig'iiter. George K. was born April 17, 1838, 
marrieil Miss Sophia Hall, and is living in Florence 
Township; the daughter, Aimie K., was born Nov. 
17, 1K39, and was married to Frederick A. Austin, 
a native of White Pigeori. who was a passenger 
conductor on the C. <fe I. R. R.. an<l met his death 
at the hands of a drunken man; Mr. Frank Roys, 
the youngest of the family, who w.as born .Ian. 10, 
1 849, is largely interested in the breeding of blooded 
horses, having some of the best stock in the coun- 
try. He married Miss Alice, daughter of James 
Ennis. 

Norman Roys for a perioil of thirty-two years 
occupied one of the most im|)ortanl local otlices in 
Florence Township, and was Justice of the Peace, 



^ 



4 



•►Hl^ 



,t 



59G 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



besides Iiol<ling other positions of trust. Coming 
iicre in the [jioneer days lie assisted in the organi- 
zation of the township, and has always been iden- 
tified with ttie Democratic party. His bo3's are of 
the same political persuasion. George is largely 
interested in the growing of peppermint, and both 
the sons tleal quite extensively in tins article. The 
father, in June, 1881, was stricken with paralysis, 
and has since been quite helpless. He was one of 
the first men in the State of Michigan to introduce 
the culture of peppermint and its distillation. 

^ ONATHAN HOATS, one of the earliest set- 
tlers of Park Township, a man well known and 
greall}' respected, was horn Oct. 20, 1804. in 
Northampton Count}', Pa., and died at his 
home in this township, April 17, 1 886. He traced 
among his ancestors an old Revolutionary soldier. 
He spent his early life amid the scenes of his birth- 
place, and in early manhood was married in Colum- 
bia County, Pa., to Jliss Mary Sechler, who bore 
him seven cliildren, five of whom are still living: 
The eldest, John, is a resident of Three Rivers, tliis 
State; Hannah married Charles Thorns, of Saline 
County, Kan. ; William B. resides in Park Township; 
Ellen is the wife of James U. Marsh, of Topeka, 
Kan., and Edward is a resident of Park Township. 
The deceased children, George and Sarah C, passed 
awa}- at the ages of twenty-six and thirtj'-onc, re- 
spectively'. 

Mr. Hoats came to Michigan in 1837, a few 
months after it had been converted from a Territory' 
into a State, and in the fall of the year settled on a 
tract of land two and one-half miles south of what 
is now the Hoats homestead. He lived there for a 
period of sixteen j-ears, then removed to section 19, 
securing a partially cleared tract. Here he lived 
and labored, enduring all the vicissitudes of pio- 
neer life, and in due time met with the reward of 
bis toils in the establishment of a comfortable 
homestead. He was a carpenter by trade, at which 
he worked several years after coming to the new 
country, frequently' shouldering his tools early in 
the morning and walking seven miles before break- 
fast to begin bis dav's labor. The road over which 



-•^ 



he traveled, as ma}' be supposed, was guiltless of 
pavements, and he thus performed what in these 
daj's would be considered a good day's work on his 
seven-mile journey. The men of those d.ays. how- 
ever, were of hardy muscle and determined spirit, 
and accomplished great feats in a very quiet and 
unostentatious manner. 

A member of the church and a liberal eonlril)u- 
tor to all the enterprises calculated for the general 
welfare of the communily, Mr. Hoats was highl\' 
esteemed among his neighbors as one of the best 
citizens of his township. He was public-spirited 
and liberal, and frequently served unpaid in the 
various local offices, being Highwaj' Commissioner, 
and occupying other positions of trust and respon- 
sibilit}'. Politicall}', he was an uncompromising 
Democrat. The mother died in 1883, at the age 
of seventy-three, having been born in 1809. She 
was a member of the First Presbyterian Church at 
Three Rivers. 

AVilliam B. Hoats w,is born in Park Township, 
St. Joseph Count}', Sept. 20, 1844, and was reared 
amid the wild scenes of pioneer life. He grew up 
with well-develope<l muscles and those habits of 
industry and economy which had served his honored 
sire so well all through life. He acquired a practi- 
cal education in the district schools, and remained 
with his parents until a man of twenty-eight 3'ears, 
when he was married, Feb. 27, 1873, to Miss 
Amanda Deats. This lady was the daughter of 
Grautum and Theresa (Mack) Dcats, t>f Park Town- 
ship, who were natives of Northampton Count}-, Pa., 
and are yet living. Of this union there have been 
born three children — Edna, Roy and Florence. 
William Hoats is a member of the M.asonic frater- 
nity, belonging to the lodge at Three Rivers. He 
has a one-sixth interest in the 235 acres of land 
comprising the homestead. 

^ ■ - g^J^^US ; : . 

/^HAUNCEY ORTON. Numberless fine old 
(if families are represented in St. Joseph County 

^^?' by a younger generation, who are bearing the 
mantles of their sires in a most praiseworthy man- 
ner. Among these the subject of this sketch is 
de.seiving of more than a passing mention. His 



f- 



■» m <• 



■♦-HI-* 



ST. .lOSKPII COUNTY. 



.i97 



4~ 



falher. Dnvid II. ()rti)n.;i iintivc of Oneirl.i Ctiunty. 
N. Y.. WHS lioni .)iily 14. If<17. .niiil spent liis liuy- 
liiKiil mill jiPiith .iniiil tlie quiet scones of fnrm life 
in liis nntlvc State. \Vlien a jdiing ninn of twenty 
yeais lie detennineil to loeate in llie \Vest. an<l ac- 
fonlingly etiniing to this eounty seleeled l:iiiil on 
section 33. in Lock|i(iit Tuwnsliip, about 1837. the 
j'ear tli.at Mlelii<;nii was tinnsfornieH from a Terri- 
tory into !i State. Me first secureii eij^litj' acres, 
and later adiled to his property until he became one 
of the most extensive land-owners in tiie county. 
pos.sessing the warrantee dec<l to ;I00 broad acres, 
embracing pfirtions of Loekporl and adjoining 
townships. The Imniestead proper was located on 
section 33 in l.< ckport Tdwnsliip. and there the 
father, after a long and u^eful life, passed to his 
final rest, Oct. 13. I^G.'>. 

David M. Orton after coming to this county was 
married to Miss Maria Dickerson, who only lived 
about thirteen years after her marriage, her decease 
taking place at the early age of twenty-eight j'ears. 
Mr. Orion was married a second time, Dec. 28, 1852, 
in Nottawa Township, to Miss Marilla .lane, daugh- 
ter of .Stephen and .Maria (Sullivan) Cleveland. 
This lady was born in Krie County, Pa., March 9, 
1 H30, and was taken by her jiarents when a small 
cliiM to Miami County. C)hio. where she lived until 
1H44. In the fall of that year the family came to 
Mi<'liigan. settling in Nottawa Township, where the 
mother died at the age of fift3-one years. .Ste|)hen 
Cleveland is still living, making his home at the old 
farm in Lockport Township. He was born in Ot- 
sego County, N. Y., in 180.j, and although now 
eightj-.three years old, is in possession of good 
health, and his mental faculties to a great extent 
are unimpaired. To him there was born a family of 
twelre children, eight of whom arc living, two by 
the first marriage, and six by the second. 

Kmery D. Orton, the elde-st brother of our sub- 
ject, is a prosperous farmer of .Sac County, Iowa: 
Kliza. Mi-s. C. Lohr, is a resident of Dakota Ter- 
ritor}': Lucy .1., Mrs. Thetjdore (iodschalk. is a 
resident of Uicc County, Kan.; Stephen lives at 
Three Rivers, and is occupied at the freight house; 
Daviil, .Ir., is al.so a resi<lent of that ()lace; Adel- 
bert L. and Adelbcrt are twins, the former now a 
])racticing physician in Uie copper regions of this 

4* 



Stale, and the latter the wife of Charles Isbell. of 
Danville. III. Mr. I. is m\ engineer by pmressiou. 
The subject of this sketch, the youngest child of 
his mother. w:us born .May 10, 1.SG4, and still occu- 
pies the old homestead with her. lie was married. 
Nov. 12. I8.S4. to Miss A<la, ilaughter of Oeorgc 
and Esther K. (Brook) Barton. Mr. and Mrs. B. 
are natives of New York .Siiite and Kn;:lan<l re- 
spectively, and are now residents of Three Rivers. 
At this place .Mrs. Orton was born. Oct. 10. 18(>(j. 
where she was reared ami received a common-school 
education. Of her union with our suiiject there is a 
bright little girl. LottJi, who was born .lune 8, 188.5. 
All the Orton boys, like their father before them, arc 
stanch adherents of the Democratic party. Oursul)- 
ject is a man of decided views, and one who k?eps 
himself well posted on current events. He pos- 
sesses more than ordinary business capacities, and 
in his farming operations served a thorough appren- 
ticeship under the instruction of his honored father, 
aud is making of it a success, as did the latter. 




J'~[ .1. A. PARKKR. eilit(tr and proprietor of the 
Three Rivers Herrthl, a native of Cass 
County, Mich., was born .Ian. 1 7, 18."j6. and is 
the son of .lohn and Sarah ( Ingling) Parker, 
The father was born in Ohio, .Ian. 26. 1816, and died 
Feb. 13. 1857^ and was a farmer by occupation; 
the mother was born in New .lersey, April l.'». 
1820. They were marrieil in IS,')1. To them 
two children were born: W. K. Parker, a leading 
physician of Three Rivers, who is married and has 
two children, Earl anil Lucile, both at home; and 
our subject completing the household. 

Our subject was educated in the common schools 
of his native county, and llif;h .V-hools of N'al- 
imraiso, Ind. On leaving school he worked in a 
printing-onice in Cass County for a |)eriod of six 
months. At the expiration of this time he pur- 
chased the Neirs at Marcellus, Mich., which he ran 
successfully for six years. Then he purch.ased and 
Ujok possession of the Three Rivers Herald, March 
19, 1888, and has over 1,000 subscribers to the 
paper, with a fair amount of advertisement*. 



»» ■ * 



^ 



4^ 



598 



,t 



.ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



Our subject was married to Miss Cora M, daugh- 
ter of Peter and Anne E. (Brewer) Wliite. She 
was born Dec. 17, 1S58, and is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is a 
Democrat. 



J7 0SIA1I ^\()L1■. one uf liie solid faniuMs of 
j Florence Town.ship, coninienced business for 
himself when a young man twent^y-seven 
' years of age as a farmer on section 34, in 
]>ockport Township, h.aving secured 130 acres, of 
which he took possession in the .spring of 1846. He 
occupieil this farm until the spring of 1881, then 
changed liis residence to Florence Township where 
he has 100 acres under a g(X)d state of cultivationi 
with suitable farm buildings and all the other con- 
veniences for carrying on agricultnreina profitable 
manner, lie still retains ownership of his Lock- 
port Townshi]) farms and has also other projierty 
in the county. Our subject first opened his eyes to 
the light in the Keystone .State, at North Branch. 
Columbia County-, Aug. 8. 1819, where he lived 
until a lad twelve years of age, and where his early 
education was conducted in the common scliools. 
He was the eldest diild of his parents and remained 
with them until twentj'-seven 3-eare of age. After 
the death of his father he naturally assumed the 
management of the estate, but in 1833, having a 
desire to locate permanently in the .West, he made 
his wav to this county. Here, not long afterward, 
he found a wife, being married in hockport Town- 
ship, Dec. 13, 1842, to Miss Mary Ann Wescott. 
This lady was born in Fayette,- ()nonda<ra Co., 
X. v., Nov. 1, 1820. and when a maiden of .si.xtecn 
years came to Michigan with her father, Samuel 
AVescott. The Latter was a native of AVestchester 
County, N. Y., and born in 1772. I'pon appro.ich- 
ing manhood he learned the trade of shoemaker, 
which he followed in his native State a number of 
years. There he also married, Nov. 18, 1802, to 
Miss Deborah Brown, and they took up tlieir abode 
at Fayette. Onondaga County, where. de|)arting 
from his former occupation. Mr. Brown ])urchased 
a farm, upon which the family lived until coming 
to this county. They made the journey hither in 



the fall of 1827 and t!ie falher purchased 160 acres 
of wild land from which he improved a farm, and 
where both jjarents spent manj' j'ears in comfort. 
The mother died there at the age of fifty -two years. 
Mrs. Wolf for many years, and until her marriage, 
was her f.ither's house keeper. He then made his 
home with her in Lockport Township until his 
death, which occurred Jan. 19, 1867. After the 
death of his first wife, he was married Aug. 30, 
1843, to Sarah Clark, who is now deceased. He 
was the father of five children, Mrs. Wolf being 
the j'oungest, and she is now the only one living. 
Her parents were members of the Metliodist Kpis- 
copal Church. The stepmother also died at the 
home of Mrs. Wolf when seventy-three j-ears old. 

Our subject and his estimable wife are the par- 
ents of one child only, a son. Samuel J., who was 
born Nov. 23, 1847, and still lives at home with 
his father. He was married in Florence Township 
Jan. 1. 1867, to Miss Emeline I., daughter of Mor- 
gan L. and Laura (Powers) Ketchum. auti they 
have one child, a son, Frank, who was born Nov. 
14, 1867. The son has been well educated, having 
completed his studies in the Business College at 
Poughkecpsie, N. Y., and is now Cashier of the Ex- 
change Bank of Centreville. In this bank our sub- 
ject and his brothers, Amos and John, are among 
the principal stockholders: the first mentioned be- 
ing President, Amos Vice-President and Samuel J., 
the son of our subject, is a Director. 

Mrs. Wolf is a member in good standing of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, attending services 
regularly at Florence ^lethodist F^piscopal Church. 
Our subject is a supporter of Democratic iirinciples. 
lie has never sought office, preferring to give his 
time and attention to his farm and his business 
affairs. 



^ AMES 0. CHILDS. There came to Michigan 
Territory in the fall of 1834 a lad six years 
of age, bearing the name of the subject 
of this sketch, accompanied by his parents, 
they settling on a tract of wild land two miles from 
the present site of Centreville, the county' seat. 
The father, Lloj'd Childs, had visited this count3' 
the year previously, and purchased the northwest 



t 



-4»- 



-«► 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



59!» 



i~ 



quarter of section 35, Government land in Lock- 
port Townsliip, for tiif consideration of iSl. "25 per 
acre. He luiilt the third house Itctwecn Centre- 
villcand Wliite Pigeon, and there befjan the strug- 
gle cotnition to life in tiie Western wiUls. Tliere 
the boyhood and youth of James O. were mostly 
spent, and he completed a common-school educa- 
tion at Lock port. 

Our subject upon reaching manhood started out 
in life for himself by purch.ising. in the fall of 
1853, 120 acres of land on section "2 in Florence 
Township. Twelve acres of this had been sub- 
jected to cultivation, and Mr. C. occupied it until 
the spring of 1864. Then selling out he purchased 
the old homestead of the other heirs, and has since 
occupied the land which his father secured from 
the Government during the Territorial days of 
Michigan. This comprises now 200 acres of good 
laud, with the various improveuieuts suggested by 
the modern and progressive agriculturist. 

In the spring of 1850. anxious for diversion and 
recreation. Mr. Childs journeyed across the [tlains 
to California, remaining in the vicinity of Placer- 
ville until the winter following. Thence he emi- 
grated to Oregon, and sojourned in Astoria until 
the spring of IHjl. He then rdurneil to Califor- 
nia, and spent his lime until the spring of 1852 in 
the mines. After another visit to Oregon, he re- 
turned to this county, where he has since been 
content to remain. 

One very important event in the life of our sub- 
ject occurred on the 30th of May. Ifi55, when he 
was united in tnurriage with Miss Uiixana, daugh- 
ter of J<»el and Klvira (Curtis) Crouch. .Mr. and 
Mrs. Crouch were natives of New York Slate and 
were born iu .Steuben County, where they are still 
living. 

At the homestcafl where Mr. auci .Mrs. Childs 
commenced the journey of life together wi-re born 
their seven children, all of whom are living, l.,loyd, 
the eldest, was born .March 2-'l, 1856, and remains 
at home with his parent> ; Frank was born Sept. 13, 
1 .H57. and marrieil .Miss .Mary Kay ; he is living on a 
farm near Three Rivers. James Orton was born 
March 1 1, 18,V.», and i* farming iu Mendon Town- 
ship; Uanson L. was born .Sept. 12, IMCO, and is 
employed a!< a railroad engineer, making his home 



in Kane County, 111.; Rose was born Aug. 15. 1862, 
and is living in Missouri; Minnie H. was born 
Aug. 26, 1865, and is the wife of Lonis P. Kmery, 
a native of Mendon Township, where they are 
living; Charles A. L. was born Jan. 18, 1874. 

Lloj'd Childs, the father of our subject, departed 
this life at the old homestead Jan. 20, 1847; the 
mother died at the home of our subject, in Lock|Kjrt, 
in March, 181)4. The parental fan)ily included six 
children, four sons and two daughters, of whom 
James O. was the 3-ouj)gest. Two of these are living. 
His sister Caroline became the wife of Adam 
Van Duscn, but is now a widow and a resident of 
Astoria. Ore.; she and her husband, in 1847, 
crossed the plains with ox-teams, a great under- 
taking, and a very tedious journey, in strong con- 
trast to that which can be performed at the present 
day by the aid of the iron horse. 

<i^ RASTUS T. PARKKR. The livery and sale 
|r) stable of this gentleman is noticeable among 
(JL^ the leading enterprises of .Sturgis, where it 
has been established since 1883, and been continu- 
ously, with the exception of three years, con<lucted 
by the sultject of this sketch, he during that inter- 
val employing himself at farming. On the 1st of 
September, 1888, he associated him.self with a part- 
ner. Mr. Asa P. Kenyon, and the business is now 
being ojH-rated with a capital of §10.000, thus fur- 
nishing to the public everything of a Brst-class des- 
cription in their line. Their horses and vehicles are 
all valuable and wi-11 cared fo.-. and it is hardly nec- 
essary to s.iy the firm receives the patronage of the 
best peoph- of ihe comminiity. They act jis agents 
fiir the I'nitiMl .Stales l^xprc.-s Company, and con- 
vey the mail from Murgis Township to an<l from 
all the trains, besides operating a well-patronized 
transfer line. 

Mr. Parker was born in .Sturgis Township, this 
county, Aug. 13. 1843, and is the son of Krastus 
Parker, .Sr., a native of New York State, whose 
early home was near Gcncseo. The latter removed 
with his parents to the vicinity of Cleveland. Ohio, 
when about eighteen 3cars of age, and then came, 
in 1839, to this county. He married Miss Isabclle 



•^1^^ 



■•► 



.t 



600 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



McKirlie, daughter of Samuel McKirlie, one of the 
pioneers of tliis county. Krastiis T. w.is p'Uifated 
in the Stnrgis schools, an<l for a time after attain- 
ing man's estiate was engaged in farming. lie is 
widel}' known throughout this section, is a man of 
means and influence, being Presiilent of the Minne- 
waukon Lake Club, which has the monoi)ol3' of the 
lake and its surroundings, utilizing them as a pleasure 
resort. Mr. Parker is also a stockliolder in the elec- 
tric light plant, and during a period of four j'ears 
officiated as the .Mayor of Stnrgis. 

Our subject was married, Oct. .5, 1^64. to Miss 
Adeline, daughter of Balses B. Gardner, who set- 
tled in Sturgis Township during its pioneer da_vs, 
on the Thornton farm. Of this union there have 
been born three children, two only of wiiom are 
living: Burt and Nancy H The family occupies a 
high position socially, and .Mr. Parker is numl)ercd 
among the popular men of the county, being one 
of a family of pioneers who assisted in its early 
growth and development. He is identified with 
the i. O. O. F. and the Masonic fraternity, and has 
uniforndy signalized himself as a liberal-minded 
and public-spirited citizen, giving his aid to the 
enterprises best calculated for the general good. 



ONATIIAN V. MILLKU. By a happy dis- 



"ft ONATIIAN F. MILLK 
lli pensatiou of Providcn 



pensatiou oi I'rovmcnce one man's tastes 
lead him in one direction and those of his 



1 

(j^// neighbor in another. The subject of this 
sketch, a farmer of good repute in Park Township, 
has for a number of 3'ears been interested in the 
diseases of the equine race, and for some time h.as 
operated as a veterinary surgeon successfully' in his 
community. He has studied the matters connected 
with his profession, in which he takes pride and 
labors conscientiously. In connection with this he 
operates a good farm on section 29. 

Our subject was born in .Stark County. Ohio. June 
15, 1827. His parents, Frederick and Uebecca 
(Hess) Miller, were natives of Centre County, Pa., 
and his uncle, Daniel Miller, served as a soldier in 
the War of 1812. The parental family consisted of 
nine children, five of whom survive, namely: lian- 
iul. a fMrnior of Crawford County. III.: David. c;ir- 



ryingon agriculture in Stark County, Ohio; .Samuel, 
a resident of Massillon, that State; Lydia, Mrs. 
Kerstetter. residing near Massillon. The deceased 
are Phillip, Rachel, Susan and Poll}'. 

The father of our subject w.as one of the pioneer 
settlers of Stark County, Ohio, locating in the wil- 
derness, from a portion of which, with the assistance 
of his boys, he built up a good homestead. Jonathan 
F., like his brothers and sisters, acquired a limited 
education in the primitive schools of that time and 
place, his studies being conducted a few weeks in 
the year during the winter season. He was fond 
of his books, however, and availed himself of every 
opportunity for the acquircnnnt of useful knowl- 
edge. From that d.ay to this he has been a great 
reader, and is consequentlj' an intelligent, well-in- 
forme<l man, with whom it is both pleasurable arvd 
profitable to converse. As earl}' as the age of fif- 
teen 3'ears he became interested in veterinar}' work, 
for which he seems peculiarly adapted. The period 
of his labors has now stretched over a term of for- 
t3'-seven j'ears. This, however, was interrupted by 
his services in the army, as' not long after the out- 
break of the Rebellion he enlisted. Oct. 1.5, ISGI, 
in Company I, 7th Ohio Infantry, which was as- 
signed to the Arni3' of the West. He continued 
with his regiment, participating in man3' of the im- 
portant engagements of the war until its close. He 
was |)resentat tlie battles of Ft. Donelson, Arkansas 
Post and the siege and capture of Vicksburg and 
Atlanta, besides in man}' minor engagements and 
skirmishes. He was frequenll3' detailed on forage 
duty, and likewise otHcialed as wagon master, be- 
ing often intrusted with grave responsibilities. Dur- 
ing the latter part of his service he in company with 
three others had the charge of a medical wagon. 
He w.as with the army of Gen. Sherman in its march 
to the sea. and at the close of his term of enlist- 
ment received an honorable disch.arge, Jan. 3, 18G4, 
at Woodville, Ala. He subsequently veteranized, 
however, continuing in the service until the close 
of the war. 

Mr. Miller now returned to Stark Count3'. Ohio, 
where he resumcfl farming and the duties of a vet- 
erinary surgeon. He had been married, Jan. 17, 
1850. to Miss Sarah A. Armstrong, and of this 
union lluTc were lioni -i\ tliiiilrcii. ()f these but 



(:^ 



-4»- 



^ n ^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



«01 ' 



tliree are living, nami'ly : Itchecfa K., the wife of 
George Kline, of Park Township, this county; For- 
tiiiinliis ."iikI .lonnthun P., who »re in Piiik Town- 
slii|>, this i-ounty. "iid Ilclenii, Mont., resiteclively. 
Mrs. Miller was horn Aug. 1.?, IH22. in New York 
Stale, and is the daughter of Henry and Mary Arm- 
strong, who were natives of New York .Stiite. Their 
family consisted of eleven children, six of whom 
are living, and mostly residents of the West. 

Mr, Miller in the spring of IhTU left the Buckeye 
Stale with his little family, and coming to this 
county settled on the farm which he now owns and 
oc<-npies. Here he has 1 GD acres of well-improved 
land, which he has brought to its present state, 
mainly by his own labor. He is a Republican po- 
liticall}', and has served as Moderator in his school 
district. Although frequently called upon to dis- 
charge the duties <»f other ollices. he has invariably 
declined, |)referring to give his time and attention to 
his farm and profession. A quiet, unassuming mani 
studiously careful in his habits, he has hosts of 
frienils among the people wherever he is known. 
He li.'is for many years been a member of the Lu- 
theran Evangelical Church, serving as EMer and 
Deacon. Socially, he belongs to the M.-ujonic fra- 
ternity and Uie G. A. R. Post at Three Rivers. He 
was Treasurer of his lodge at Moon park two years, 
and Surgeon of the(i. A. R. Post, 'I'hree Rivers. 




R. LAWRENCE I). KNOWLES. The sub- 
ject of this sketch, a -prai'licing physician 
ami surgeon of Three Rivers, holds a good 
jKisition among the younger members of 
the profession in St. .loscph County. He is but 
thirty-nine years of age, having been born Nov. 30, 
1H4:I, near Mauch Chunk, Carbon Co.. Pa. His par- 
ents were Lawrence D., Sr.. and A mex ro F. (Fel- 
lows) Kuowles. 

The father of our subject was a merchant, banker 
and boat builder. The boyhiHxl of Lawrence U., 
.Ir., was passed in his native town, where be pur- 
sued hio firsit studies in the Cnion Sdiool, then «o- 
tered Decker's College from which he wa» graduated 
in lHt;«. After leaving school he went into the 
employ of the Delaware. Lackawanna tt Western 



Railroad Company, continuing in their employ un- 
til 1871. 

Young Knowles, lu-iil upon the study of medi- 
cine, no»v entered the oHlce of Dr. William E. Bar- 
rett, of Cambria, Pa., when he came to Michigan 
and entered the State University at Ann Arbor, 
where he pursued his studies until 1K72. Thence 
he went to New Y'ork City and became a student 
at Bellevne Hospitsil College, from which he was 
graduated in the spring of 1874; then returning to 
Michigan he located at Kendall. Van Buren County, 
where he commence<l the practice of his profession, 
and remained until .laniiary. 1 880. Soon afterward 
he established himself at Three Rivers as the ^Mirt- 
ner of Dr. W. M. Ikeler, and the firm of Ikeler i 
Knowles has since operate<l with more than ordin- 
ary success, buililing up an extensive and lucrative 
business. Dr. Knowles was united in marriage with 
Miss Francis Wager, of Three Rivers. She is a laily 
of much intelligence and refinement, and a favorite 
in social circles. 



-«.-v/\ «gga'&i g «' jfi Si ^ M'®t4a' Jg7»- 



Jr^A.MES CRAWFORD. There came to the 
I Territory of Michigan in the spring of 1830 
j the subject of this skeli;h. then a young lad 
J eleven years of age. He had made the 

journey from his native county of Ashlan<L Ohio, 
with his p:ireius. and they located on section 28 in 
Constantiue Township. The latter, Robert and 
Mary (.Shannon) Crawfonl. were natives of Mary- 
lanil and Virginia respectively. After coming to 
Michigan the father built up a good home?lead from 
an uncultivateil tract of i ind, where with his es- 
timable wife he spi-nt the remainder of his days. 
Of their children, eight in nunil>er, James was the 
sixth in orde-r of birth. He first opened his eyes 
to the light .luiie 22. IHK). and from bis youth up 
has lieen familiar with farming pursuits. 

Our subject developed into manhood at the old 
farm in Fhjrence Township, and, when ready to 
esUblish domestic ties of his own, was united in 
marriage with Mrs. Amanda (Co(Bn) Chambers, 
the wedding taking phice April »!, 18.">S. This 
lady was the widow of Theron Cliamlwrs. and the 
daughter of M. S. and Elisabeth (Wiltse) Coffin. 



-4^ 



t 



4 



602 



.ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



the latter two of New York State. U|)on leaving 
there tliey took up their residence in Wisconsin, 
where the father followed fanning, but died in 
Sherman Township, this county, at the age of seven- 
ty-six years. The mother died at the home of her 
son, J. S. Coffin, in Charles City, Iowa, at the age 
of sevent3--three. They were the parents of eleven 
cliiUlren, of whom Mrs. Crawford was the second. 
Her native place was in the vicinit}' of Albany 
City, N. Y., and the date of her liirtii Dec. 1, 1831. 
Of her Qrst marriage with Fiaiicis A. Chambers there 
was born one child, a daughter, Frances, who was 
the wife of .lohn Kobbins, and the mother of three 
chihlren, two oidy of whom are living. Charles and 
Jessie. Francis <lied in Lockport Township Jan. 18, 
1888, at the eari^' age of thirty-seven years. Of her 
marriage with our subject were born two children: 
Mary E.. March 17, 18G2, and Norman J.. Feb. 25, 
1870. The daughter is at home. The son is in 
Washington Territorj* employed as a bookkeeper 
for his uncle, Stephen Coffin, where isalsoemplo^'ed 
Charles Robbius. Norman Crawford took kindl3' 
to his books, and com|)leted a practical business 
education in the college at Three Rivers. A grand- 
son, Charles Robbins, is also a grailuate of that 
college. 

-■I ; D — >^ir^ — i : ■* 

J I OIIN F. WOLF. To every intelligent indi- 
I vldual nothing is more gratifying or a 
I greater source of worthy pride, than to be 
^fj able to trace his ancestry- in an honorable 
line, as nearly as possible to his origin. The Ger- 
man Empire has contril)uted largely to the bone 
and sinew of Americ.iu prosperity, sending from 
her borders hundreds of stalwart citizens, noble 
in nature .as well .as in lineage. Among the descen- 
dants of these maj- be classed the subject of this 
sketch. 

To go back several generations we find that tlie 
paternal grandfather of our subject, also John Wolf 
by name, was a native of Wittenberg, a fortified 
town of Prussian Saxony, and was born April 18, 
176!t. lie did not long reside in his native coun- 
try, however, having been brought to America by 
his parents when a child two years of age. They 
settled in Columbia County. Pa., where the youth 
developed into manhood, and where with his par- 



ents he spent his entire life, passing aw.ay April IK. 
1824. He married .nnd became the father of a fine 
family, and among liis sons was one John. Jr.. the 
father of our subject. He was born in Columbia 
County, Pa., Nov. 17. 17'J4, and incorporated in 
his early e<lucation wa.s a knowledge of the lan- 
guage of his ancestors, which he thoroughly le.arned. 
in fact almost to the exclusion of English, he picking 
up a knowledge of the latter late in life, and chiefly 
instructed by his children. His intercourse with his 
F!;nglish-spe.aking neighbors also assisted him in 
this. His mother, the paternal gi-andmother of our 
subject, was in her girlhood Miss Catherine Iloan. 
daughter of David lloan, a man of note in the 
Keystone .State. She was born May 8, 1776, and 
after the death of her husband came to Michigan 
and spent her Last da^-s in Lockport Township, this 
county, passing away Sept. 28, 183.5. 

The father of our subject in early manhood 
learned the trade of miller, which he followed al- 
most exclusively during the last eight years of his 
residence in Pennsylvania. In the spring of 18."M. 
resolved uix>n seeking a permanent home in the 
West, he came to this county during the early set- 
tlement of Lockport Townsliip. and before Michi- 
gan had been admitted into the Union as a .State. He 
was possessed of some means and located 320 acres 
of land on section 27, where he made his home 
continuously until his death. He had in the mean- 
time engaged considerably in milling; in addition 
to farming, his practical knowledge of the former 
business being of great service to him in this new 
country. He was frequently called upon to dress 
the stones for various mills in the county, and put 
the machinery in operation. A man very intelli- 
gent, active and industrious, he made hosts of 
friends and was with his excellent wife for many 
years one of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church at Centreville. He rested from his earthly 
laliors Oct. 16. 18.54, passing peacefully away at 
the old homestead. 

Mrs. Barbara (Dreschcr) Wolf, the mother of 
our subject, was also a native of Pennsylvania and 
born in .Vugust, 1790. She was married in her na- 
tive county and accompanied her family to Michi- 
gan. iKissing away some years after the decease of 
her husband on the 2d of .\pril. 1801!, at the resi- 
m^ 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



r.0.3 



(lence of her son Daniel K.. in Centreville, with 
whom she liatl made her home for about eifjht 
years. John Wolf, the fatlier of our subject, al- 
thouifh nU^(hllin<; very little willi public atTair.s. w.ts 
a man of decidcfl views and althougli for the most 
jMirt a Democrat, votc'd for "Tippecanoe and Tyler 
too" in 1840. He discliarired the duties of various 
local olticesand wjvs a imblic-spirited citizen, intcr- 
estinjj himself in all projects calculate<l for the de- 
velopment of his adopted county, iayinir out the 
public highways and serving as Commissioner a 
number of years. In all the relations of life he 
was kindly, hospitable and charitable, and pursued 
a career which endeared him to all who knew 
iiim. His name is held in kindly remembrance by 
his chililren and others who still survive and re- 
memlier his generous deeds. 

To the parent;? of our subject there have been 
born ten chililren, John V. being the sixtii in order 
of birth. He, like his parents, first opened his eyes 
to the light in Columbia County. Pa.. Jan. 1, 182.i, 
and w.as a little lad nine years of age when he came 
with his parents to Michigan Territory. He re- 
ceived his education in the jirimitive schools of St. 
Joseph County, and remained a member of his 
father's household until a young man of twenty- 
fouT years. He then started out in tnisiness on his 
own account, upon a tract of land given him by 
his father, that u])on which he now resides, and be- 
ginning its improvement and cultivation in a man- 
ner corresponding to his means. This embraced 
eighty acres upon which there had been no im- 
provements, and about his first business was tiie 
erection of a dwelling. Aliout this time he secured 
to himself a wife and helpmate, being married 
.March !•, lM.i4. at the home of the bride in Con- 
stantine Township, to Miss Nancy D., daughter of 
John and Klizabeth Gibson. John Gibson was a 
native of County Helfast, Ireland, and wa.>i brought 
to America by his parents when a child two years 
of age, they locating near WilIiams|X)rt in Lycom- 
ing County, Pa. I'pon reaching manh<X)d he was 
married there to Miss Klizalieth De France, and 
they became the parents of seven children, of whom 
Mrs. Wolf wa.s next to the eldest. She was l)orn in 
Lycoming County. Dec. 31, 1H27, and remained 
with her parents until her marriage, receiving a 



common-school education, and being instructed by 
a careful mother in all useful housewifely duties. 
In rlue tunc Mr. and Mrs. Wolf became the par- 
ents of thiee children, one of whom. .lohn K., died 
Nov. 4, 185!), at the age of three years and four 
months. Mary Kllen. the daugliter. was born March 
IH. I8.J.5. and is now the wife of Dr. W. K. Clark, 
of Three Rivers. Morris 1)., the second of the fam- 
ily, was born July 7. IH.jT; betook kindly to iiis 
books and after emerging from the village .school 
at Centreville, entered the graded school at Centre- 
ville and completed a good education. Our subject 
is a worthy and highly respected citizen, a resi- 
dent of Lockport and has held the ottice of High- 
way Commissioner, alst) that of President of tlie 
Anti-Horse Thief Association. He was formerly 
a Director of the old Air Line Railroad Company, 
from the time it w.is finished until it went into the 
hands of the Michigan Central in the winter <jf 
1887, and is now a member of the School Board 
and he and his son are stockholders in Wolf 
Bros.' Bank at Centreville. Mr. Wolf and his son 
are members in good stinding of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, attending services at Centre- 
ville. while Mrs. W. belongs to the Reformed 
Church at Centreville. The family occupies a 
prominent position in this |)art of the county, be- 
ing people well-to-do and in all respects substan- 
tial and reliable citizens. 



^TpSBENKZER OSBl RN. The name of this 
fe) worthy pioneer, who is now deceased, de- 
/ l' — ^ serves honorable mention among the early 
settlers of St. Jo-^eph County. He came to this 
region when a young man from New York Stj»t<>. 
where he was born Aug. lo. 1«22. He t<x)k up a 
tract of land on section 21. in Flowerfield Town- 
ship, opening up a <jood farm of eighty acres near 
which the village of Howardsvillo afterward sprung 
up. He battled with the ditllculties incident to 
that time, and after making a g<xKl record, departed 
this life at the homc-stearl which he had built uj). 
Veh. 11. 1887. 

.Mr. Osburn was marricl at Three Rivers after 
cominji to ihi-i countv. .lulv lo. IHtj-.;. to Miss 



T^:^f-^ 



-^*- 



604 



^ ^ 1 >» 



ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 



4 



Nancy Clark, who passed away prior to the decease 
of ber husband, her deatli also taking place at tlie 
old farm. June -21. 1884. They were the parents 
of two sons. Charles, the elder, was born April 
13. 1863. and was reared upon a farm, becoming 
familiar with its various employments and receiv- 
ing his education in the common scliool. Frank, 
the younger son, also grew up on the farm, and 
when reaching manhood was married, at Huchanan. 
IJcrrien County, this State, to IMiss Fannie Cave. 
This lady was born in jrarcellus Township, Cass 
County. Sept. 7, 1867, and is the daughter of John 
L. and Lucina Cave. 

The fonner was a native of England, whence he 
ciiiigratcd to the United States early in life. He 
came to Cass County during its early settlement, 
and after opening up a good farm spent the latter 
years of his life in prosperity and quiet. Mrs. 
Cave was born in Chagrin Falls. Ohio, and is still 
living, making her home in Lamoni. Iowa. Besides 
Mrs. O.-bmn there are three other daugiiters: Ad- 
die, the wife of Is.aac Jiidson, of Covert; Nettie and 
Jessie, who live with their mother in Iowa. Both 
the Cave and Osbinn families rejirescnt the better 
element of society, being people well-to-do and of 
good standing among their neighbors. 



<^ ANIEL M. EVELANl). editor and pro- 
prietor of the Weekly Globe, Mendon, 
St. Joseph Co., Mich., was born in 
Schuylkill County. I'a.. Aug. 22, 1836- 
His parents soon after removed to Tort Clinton, in 
the same countj-, where our subject attended 
school until his sixteenth year. lie then entered 
the otlice of 1). C. A- J. M. Heinhart, at Taraaqua, 
Pa., to learn the trade of printing, they being pro- 
prietors of a weekly journal called the Tamaqua 
Legion. The facilities were of the most primitive 
kind, and young Eveland soon had an opiM)i)tunity 
to develop his muscle by -pulling" the forms of 
the paper on an old "Kamage" press, a relic of the 
times of Franklin. 

For three years our subject worked for those 
people as :ui apprentice, getting such an insight 
into his chosen vocation as could be had in thai 




<^ 



office. At the end of this time he went to Phila- 
del|)hia, where he secured employment for a short 
time in various offices, but no permanent position. 
His next move was to Wilmington. Del., where he 
worked on the Delaware Gazette, the organ of the 
Delaware Lottery Company, and on other journals. 
He then returned to Tamaqua. where he worked on 
a new paper, which, being destroyed by fire, he re- 
turned to liis old employers. Finallj- engaging in 
school teaching in Tamaqua and Drehei-sville. 
also attending Normal School, paying for tuition 
out of his savings. AVhile here he was married, 
and for several years after that event continued his 
teaching, varied for a short time by publishing a 
small paper called the Mountain Echo. 

The outbreak of the Rebellion found him at his 
teacher's desk, and following the examjile of his 
four brothers, he enlisted in the Union Armv. He 
left the army unwounded. but suffering from disa- 
bilities incurred by reason of sickness and exposure. 
He then served as clerk in a store, worked on a coal 
bank, taught school, and was in the employ of the 
express comimny on the P. <fe R. R. R. Co. He 
finally bought the office of the Tamaqua Courier. 
in partnership with a man who afterward killed 
himself, and he then h.ad as a partner Robert Har- 
ris. The firm did a large business for some time. 
This was during the troublous times of the "JloUie 
Maguires," with the leaders of whom our subject 
was ])ersonally acquainted. He was for his utter- 
ances several times attacked by this lawless mob, 
but never seriously injured. Once by his courage 
and address, after the murder of policeman Yost, 
he prevented further bloodshed b}- delaying and 
finally preventing a meeting of the murderous gang. 
After the hanging of Doyle for one of his numer- 
ous murders, he was again attacked, but again 
fought his waj- out from the infuriated "Mollies." 
In fact, all through those troubles in the Pennsyl- 
vania coal regions he was in their midst, was ac- 
quainted with the leaders on both sides, and was 
active in upholding the law. 

He continued publishing his paper in Tamaqua 
for seven years, when he sold out and bought an 
interest in the Akron (Ohio) Argux. where he lost 
all he had. Not dism.-jved, he managed to get pos- 
session of a small office at Churubusco, Ind., but 



•^•- 



ST. JOSEl'II rOUNTY. 



605 ' 



sold and went to Ilicksvillc, Ohio. Thence he re- 
move<l to Hcpulilir. (Hiin. wht-io he lost !i son \ty 
<lt'!itli. liavinjj previoiislv lost a son ami (hmgliter 
in IVnnsylvania. 

I'roni this place Mr. Kveland went to Walkertoii, 
Inil., where ho sufferetl a severe loss throiiijh tlie 
ra.-;cality uf a person who took snap judgment on 
him. 

lie tlien took charge of the South Hcnd Era, a 
Cireenliack organ, owned hy 1!. V. Shively. who now 
represents that district in Congress, from whom he 
purchased the good-will ami subscription list, which 
he sold to .1. H. .Stoll, editor of tlie Times, of that 
place. His next remove was to Schoolcraft. Mich., 
where he startetl a paper called the Express, wiiich 
he pulilished for more than a year. The paper w.as 
an ardent advocate of temperance, and Mr. Eve- 
land was President of the Rlue Riltlion Club, which 
fact militated against the financial success of his 
paper, .ind vn the invitation of Mr. T. M. Sheriff 
he remnved to Mendon, St. .los'eph County, in 
April, 1HH5. and hxs since made this place his 
liome, and is proprietor and editor of the Mendon 
Weekly Globe, organ of the Greenback party of the 
county. 

March 10, 1H.')9. Mr. Kveland w.as married to 
Miss .\manda R. Zuber. wim proved a worthy help- 
ma>e, an esliniable. devoted and pure-hearted wife 
and mother. Of their family of six children, three 
are deceased, .as already mentictned. Of the sur- 
vivors the eldest daughter is the wife of J. .1. Fire- 
stone, etlitor of the Colon Express; the second 
daughter is wedded t-o L. G. Clapp, druggist, of 
Mendon, and the youngest, a son, is now sixt«'en 
years of age, and is under the parental roof. 

The life of Mr. Eveland has been one of viscissi- 
tude and adventure. His service in the army was 
not half as dangerous or romantic as were his ad- 
ventures during the verit.able reign of terror in- 
augurated in the mining regions of Pennsylvania 
by the "Mollic Maguires." He is frank and out- 
spoken in expressing his opinions, and that he was 
not more seriously injured in those limes was some- 
what due to good fortune, but more to pluck. 

The Mendon Glnhe. where it is to be hoped Mr. 
Kveland is located to stay, is nn inilc|)endent, out- 
spoken Journal, advocating the principles of the 



Greenback party. The olflce is well supplied with 
presses and type, and the paper and printing estab- 
lishment are an important factor in the prosperity 
of the flourishing village of Mendon. 



-^^ 



^^ YRl'S Dl'TTON, of Mendon Township, 
'■! — nnmo t.n t.liU «pption of eouutrv in 1848, and 



^^ iRi s ui 1 ro>, ot 
I! came to this section of 

^>^/ h.as since resided upon 



•> k ^* 



~ ' " ' ipon the same farm. It 

comprises 200 acres of valuable land, and with its 
apijurtenauces is considered one of the most desira- 
ble homesteads in tiiis part of the county. 

Our subject comes from a good family, being the 
son of William Dntton, a New Knglander, who 
married .Miss Mary Cheney, whose childhood home 
was near that of her husband. In 1834 they emi- 
grated to Michigan, settling first in Calhoun 
County. Thence they removed, in December, 
1841, to this county, settling in Mendon TowTiship. 
where tliev remained until October, 18.')4. They 
then took up their residence in Decatur. V.an IJuren 
County, where they spent their last days. They 
were the parents of eight chihlren. Cyrus b(>ing the 
ehlest. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Rutland 
County, Vt., Dec. 7, 1808. He was but an infant 
when his parents removed to Franklin County. N. 
Y., they settling in a place called French's Mills, 
where they remained al)out four years. In Septem- 
ber, 183.S, he left his home for Michigan, arriving 
in Detroit in November following. He proceeded 
directly to Calhoun County, making his home in 
Marshall that winter. Ho rcnteil land in Sheridan 
Township, remaining there until coming to this 
county, in December, 1848. 

.\t different times during his residence in Calhoun 
County Mr. Dutton was engagetl in conveying the 
rnite<l States mail to different points in that sec- 
tion of the State. He disposeil of his Calhoun 
County land in 1848. and joined his parents in this 
county, making arrangements afterward to pur- 
cha.se his father's laml in Mendon Township. I'lton 
this he soon afterward took up his n-sidence, re- 
maining until the present time. He was first mar- 
ried in IJrady Township. KalanuizcK) County, in Oc- 
tober, IS-iO, to Laura F. .Vxtell. This lady was bom 

■» M ^* 



'i 



■► ir^ 



:^^h^ 



cm 



ST. JOSKPH COUNTY. 



in Peru. Berkshire Co.. JIa.ss., and died at the 
homestead in Jlcndon Townsliip. in .Tune. 1861. 
Mr. Button contracted a second marriage. iMarch 
8, 1863. in Mendon. with Miss Cordelia Kstes, 
widow of Zaecheus Estes. who died in Chicaa:o, 111., 
in September, 1861. Ilcr father was Seymour 
Bougliton, who died in Batavia, N. Y. Her mother. 
Mrs. Betsy (Hubbard) Bougliton, also died there. 
In that place also Mrs. Button was born Bee. 7, 
182il. Of her first marriage there were four chil- 
(lien — Mary, Marcus, Alton and Lydia. 

Of the present marriage of Mr. Button there are 
also four cinldren — p;mma. Ella, William and Lee. 
The daughter Lydia became the wife of Martin 
Langdon. and died in Monton. Oct. 7, 1881. Jlar- 
cus married 31iss .lennie Wallace. Mr. B. has held 
the office of Township Supervisor three terms, and 
officiated as Justice of the Peace several years. Po- 
litically, he is a stanch Republican. He is afflicted 
with partial blindness, but has made for himself a 
good record as an early settler and an honest citi- 
zen. 

W ACOB HEI>'BACH. It h.nsbcen remarked of 
I this siilistantial old settler of Park Township 
! that his word is as good as his bond; and 
((^/' this perhaps is as suggestive of the character 
of the m.^n as anything further which could be said. 
He came to this section of country in its pioneer 
daj-s, purchased eighty acres of timber land, and, 
after operating on this for a time very successfully, 
added to his real estate 240 acres more. This 
formed the nucleus of a competence which he now 
enjoys, and, whenever he so wishes, he can retire 
from active labor with the assurance that his declin- 
ing years may be passed in ease and comfort. 

A native of Columbia County. Pa., our sub- 
ject was born April 10, 1818, and is the son of 
Jacob and Elizabeth (Faust) Heinliach. who were 
natives of Pennsylvania, and long since passed to 
their final rest. He was reared to manhood in his 
native county, receiving a limited education, and 



carried on farm pursuits, with which he had be- 
come familiar during his boyhood. He was 
married when twenty-seven years of age, in Sep- 
tember. 1845, to Miss Mar}' A. Reed}', who became 
the mother of three children, of wliom onl}' one is 
living, William, a resident of Park Township. 

Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Heinbach 
emigrated to Michigan, and in due time settled 
upon the land which is now included in their present 
homestead. They labored with one purpose in 
view from year to year, gathering gradual)}' al)out 
them the conveniences and comforts of life, and as 
the country grew up around them, and the wilder- 
ness was transformed into smiling fields and valua- 
ble homesteads, they became the center of a pleasant 
circle of friends and acquaintances. Their hos- 
pitable doors were ever open to their friends, while 
the need}' stranger was never turned empty away. 

Besides the property already named Mr. Hein- 
bach is a part owner of a flour and grist mill. Upon 
his first purchase he paid 8100 down, and was 
given four years in wliich to pay the balance, 1350. 
He met his notes as promptly as he has been in the 
habit of meeting all his obligations. He met the 
deepest atlliclion of his life on the llth of Becem- 
ber, 1885, when the faithful and affectionate wife 
and mother passed away to a better land. His life 
has not been free from adversity and affliction. 
His daughter Elmira, after an illness of twenty 
years, ilied, April 10. 1886, and thus within a year 
he was deprived of the companionship of both his 
wife ami daughter. Mrs. Heinbach had been a 
great suflferer from a cancer. 

Our subject cist his first Presidential vote with 
the Bemocratic party, and since that time has given 
his cordial support to Bemocratic principles. He 
has never been a member of any churcli. yet has 
been a cheerful contributor both to educational 
and religious objects, and has endeavored in all 
respects to do good as he had opportunity. None 
are more worthy of a place in a work of this kind 
than Jacob Heinbach. 



* 



5tJU 



>► ■ » 



4- 




-t 



Adams, J. E 318 

Ad.im», John 13 

Adams, John Q 39 

Adams. Samuel P 593 

Aadison. H. N aao 

Ahltirim. Charles.. 331 

Ainser, F. B 40S 

Akey. William A ....580 

Al^cr. Riiiisell A •■■73 

Allman. Hon- William 389 

Ame>A. Samurl 31J 

A ndrrson, Milton H 486 

AndrcMfs. Flias 934 

A ndrews, Norman S 566 

Andrews, Seymour H 499 

Ansevine, (-ieorge A 498 

Anthony, H. L 417 

Armitage, John 570 

Arncy, William 565 

Arnold, William F 55a 

Arthur, Chester A 99 

Aspinwall, L. A 554 



B 



Babcock. Jay 38a 

Hachcr.Rev. T. J 13* 

Bagley, John J 157 

KatdMin, Henry P 153 

Barnard. Ncwion H 54I 

Barnard, Richard 19a 

Barrowt, J. M 453 

Harry, John S 113 

Barton. Albert G 594 

Bates, O.C. M 371 

Bates. W. W 319 

r.aum, l.ydia 549 

Baumeister, John jo8 

Beadle. Valentine 300 

Beard. William 476 

Heck. Dr. J>n>c«W nB 

i'f Itwiih. Rodney 195 

\ '^ Ir. Josiah W 169 

I'.r Inr*. William 373 

Bellman. F. A. . . 519 

Bennett. Johnson 57a 

4 » 



BIOGI^p^P^ICgfllj. 



Bennett, Sila» W 390 

Berger, Daniel 418 

BinfEham, Kin»lry S 137 

Bishop. Hon J. C 435 

Blair, Austin US 

bliss. I. G 47» 

Bliie.n.B 475 

Rotzner. John 315 

Bower. Adam 939 

Bower, John. .■ 331 

Bower, Samuel Y 379 

Boyles, George 3*7 

Braginton. Mrs. Mary 34a 

Bris&ette. George C 50a 

Brooks, J. A 394 

Brown, Joseph 374 

Buchanan, James 75 

Buck, B. C 487 

Bungay. Francis at4 

Burch, Hosea 588 

Burger, Jacob 390 

Burns, Lavinia (Field) 576 

Butler. B. F 305 

Butz, Leonard 328 



C .li.im. I iniiij H 41a 

Caldwell, W. G 567 

Carpenter. Sidney 311 

Carpenter. T. C 437 

Car>,N.B $51 

Cue, Hiram .479 

Case, R. E 530 

Castle. W. H 354 

Cattell. Charles H 309 

Catiell.John 9*4 

' Catton, J- B an 

Cation. Thomas 398 

Chapin. Southard 533 

Chapin, WiDiani P 933 

Childs,J.U 598 

Chivers.W. H.. M.D 156 

Clapp, L. A 558 

Clark, George D ■89 

Clark. W. E. M. D 543 

Cleveland, C. M 940 

Cleveland. S Grover- 103 

Cline. Cornelius 193 

Clowes, Charles J 396 

Clyde, Samu«l 917 

Cole. Levi 497 



Connor, Judge William. . -.3^8 

Coohon, John C 333 

Cooke, G. A. B 560 

Cook, Mrs. Mary A 400 

Cooper, H L 501 

Cooper. Norm G 488 

Copenhafcr, Henry 996 

Cornell, S.V 341 

Covey. A . G 336 

Cox, John 540 

Crapo, Henry H 149 

Craw, Ransom 336 

Crawford, James 601 

Crevling, Nelson 535 

Crooks. Corydon 3(3 

Cross, Samuel .■■ 563 

Crosswell, Charles M 161 

Cuddy, Thomas 358 

Culbertson, John 385 

Culow, John 470 

Cushman, H. D 513 

Custer, Frederick 376 



Davis, Abncr 333 

Davis. Herman 335 

Davis, J. J 43B 

Dentler.S. L 189 

Dexter. M . A 394 

Dickinson, George 355 

Dickinson, R. M 381 

Dider. John 465 

Dock, C. E a69 

Draper, Hiram 307 

Draper. M . R 947 

Driesbach, Henry 310 

Driggs. Hon. A. L aoi 

Dunlap, John 339 

Dunning, A. B 493 

Dunning, George 49a 

Ducion, Cyrus 605 



£ 



Early, Samuel 


J5* 


Emery, Aaron I' 


4«t 


Enfle.C. T 


...51 


Engic, Jamet 


. JM 



Estes, Reuben H 493 

Evans, Calvin W J05 

Evans. Monroe 438 

EveUnd, D.M O04 

F 



Farrand. H. K 979 

Farrand. Phinca^ 318 

Felch. Alpheus 117 

Ferris, Hon. Nelson 394 

FicM. H. K 338 

Ficldhouse, B. F 446 

Fillmore, Millard 67 

Firestone. J. J 974 

Fisher, C. U 5,8 

Fisher. Rev. J. E 51a 

Fitch, Samuel A 591 

Flanders, Dr. D. L 444 

Flanders. Ezcklel 514 

Flanders, ^on J. W 407 

Flowers. Solomon D 416 

Foglcman, Jonathan 99a 

Foil It. S. B.. .M. D 419 

Folwell, Hughe* 446 

Fonda, Miss Mary C 978 

Foust, George '. 441 

Francisco, Daniel 536 

Francisco, D. B. 515 

Frank. Nathan 445 

Freeman. John 469 

French, A. C 305 

Frrnch.J.W... 5,5 

French, O. F 304 

Fulkerson, George W 587 



Gardner. Mrs. Clara B ...... .447 

Gardner, W. H 348 

Garfield. James A 95 

i;ee. Dr. D. C 586 

( •eml>erling. Henry •49 

Geniiler, Adam 913 

Gentxler. Jacob S 391 

Gentiler. John R 340 

George, A- B 411 

George. £■ M 580 

Gibson, Samuel 495 ^ 

Cilkison, S. W' 3J9 



t ^ m » 



a. 



-•► 



,t 



INDEX. 



Cillispie.G. W 587 

Gladding. J. P 197 

Godfrey, E. L., M. D. 380 

Goodcnow, I.J 4>i 

Goodrich, B. Q 264 

Goodrich, L. B 299 

Gorton. J. T 219 

Graham, A. J S87 

Graham, A. M 313 

Grant, Ulysses S 87 

Graves, Luther 317 

Gray, Edward 349 

Gray, George W 425 

Green, Dr. R. A 436 

CJreenly, William L m 

Griffith, Roberts...' 520 



H 



Hall. John W ay? 

Hamilton, Uavid P 4M 

Hamilton, Hon. John 39^ 

Hamilton, Mr. C. A 984 

Handshaw, David 227 

Handy, John B 564 

Harrison, Denjamin. 107 

Harrison. J. W 362 

Harrison, William H 51 

Hartman, Henry a8x 

Harizler, J. A 525 

Harvey, Norman 40a 

Hasbrouck, Joseph E 255 

Harwood, Merritt P 507 

HarwQod, Heman 422 

Harwood. H. H 424 

Hassenger. Frederick D 427 

Hayes, Rutherford B 91 

Hazzard, David 24a 

Heald, F. 39* 

Hccox, H. A 480 

Heinbach, Jacob 606 

HiH.E 48s 

Hill. E.R 373 

Hincher. A. R 331 

Hinkle, William 36' 

Hoats, Jonathan 596 

Holmes, C R 420 

Hopkins, Howard 336 

Howard, Dr. Isaac D 451 

Howard, John M 545 

Huffman. John M aio 

Hull. K. T 399 

Huylar, J. H 534 



1 kelcr, William M 500 

In graham, M llo 459 



Jackson. Andrew 43 

Jacox, Mrs. F.liza S 235 



Jefferson, Thomas 27 

Jerome. David H 165 

Jewell. johnW 463 

Johnson, Andrew 83 

Johnson, James 37^ 

Johnson, William 295 

Jones, Thomas J 432 



K 



Kaiser, A.J 484 

Kennedy, James 396 

Kcnyon. Asa P 43* 

Kern, Jacob 547 

Ketch um, H. P 203 

King, Charles 263 

King, David 254 

King, J. W 266 

Kinne.J. C 345 

Klady, Francisco aaS 

Klady, Samuel 367 

Kline, David 481 

Kline, Henry 231 

Kline, John A 556 

Knauss, L. J 477 

Knowles, 0r. Lawrence D.. .6ot 

Knox, David .. .532 

Knox, Frederick C 332 



Laird. H.W 304 

Laird, J. M 275 

LanRlcy. W. B 244 

Lavcrty, Andrew 506 

Lawrence, H. H 409 

Lehr, John 257 

Leland, Charles G 293 

Lcland. George W... 500 

Leland,J. M 597 

Lewis, G .. ..196 

Liddle, Mrs. Rebecca B ■•»43 

Lighthiscr, William 241 

Lincoln, Abraham 79 

Linslcy, E. B 571 

Lock wood, Charles J 448 

Lohoff, John 194 

Lohr, Henry aaa 

Loomis, Dr. Harvey 348 

Luce, Cyrus Gray 177 



M 



Macomber, Reuben 571 

Madison, James 31 

Majors. J. S 550 

Marvin, J. A 190 

Mason. Stephen T.. 105 

Mathewson, Nelson ■ -382 

Mattice.G. W: 496 

McClelland, Robert 129 

Mcintosh, Milton 385 



McKercher, j. C 270 

McKindley. Francis L -2^7 

McKinster, Charles H 228 

Miller, .Adam 299 

Miller, Daniel 434 

Miller, George W 531 

Miller, Jonathan F 6:k> 

Miller, Lee O 590 

Mitchell, Hon. Thomas 594 

Moak, George W 413 

Mohney,G. H 302 

Monroe, James ■ •?$ 

Morris, Hon. William 341 

Mowrcr, W. A 526 

Muniby , Joseph 276 

■ N 

Nash, S. M 337 

Nerhoot, Jesse 262 

NichoU, D. J..M. D 539 

Northrop, F. W 440 

Northrup, John G 471 

Null, Isaac 5'»4 

O 

Olney, David 30 

Olney, Elon "... 359 

Orton. Chauncey 596 

Osbon, Prof. Sheridan 439 

Osburn, Ebcnezer 603 

Osburn, Charles 603 



Packard Dr. Ira F 187 

Page, David 430 

Palmer, Cyrus 22^ 

Parker. Daniel R 4^8 

Parker, E. T 599 

Parker, J. J. A 597 

Parsons, Andrew 133 

Pat ridge, Albert H 248 

Pealer, Hon. R. R 537 

Pendleton, Hon. E. W 403 

Perrin, Charles E 557 

Pcttifcr, Charles 466 

Peitit, W.D 544 

Phillips, James 409 

Phillips. Stephen 218 

Pier. E. B 376 

Pierce, Franklin 7 1 

Place, L. B 553 

Plant, Morgan 386 

Pl9wmin,J.G 443 

Polk, James K 59 

Prutzman, Hon. A.C 516 

Pulvcr. Hiram 349 

Putnam, M. B 366 



R 



Rank. D. W 

Ransom, Epaphroditus. 



■395 
.'25 



Rardeen. James H 283 

Redfearn, Thoma* 350 

Rciff, J. \V 401 

Reitcrman, William 335 

Rensenhouse, Augustus H...579 

Rhoades, Lewis 44a 

Rice, Charles 541 

Rifenbergh, L. C 353 

Roberts. Cyrus 578 

Robinson. Dr.S.R 445 

Root. Henry E 206 

Routzahn, L. C 509 

Roys. Norman 595 

Roys, T. W 352 

Roys, William H 344 

Ruggles, Z. B 508 

Russell. A. C 334 

Russell . Joseph 378 

Rutherford, John 259 



Sage. C. H 517 

Sabin, Charles E 583 

Sabin. Marden, M. D 56a 

Sanborn, Gideon 328 

Sars, C. E 573 

Seaver.J. E 313 

Sevison, Henry 190 

Schaad, Conrad 510 

Schafer, C. H 561 

Schermcrhorn. John 287 

Schoonmaker. Isaac 581 

Schurtz. John G 467 

ScoviUe. Beta P.,M.D.. 398 

Scoville. Thco M aa« 

Sharer. William 238 

Shepherdson. A. P 971 

Showerman, Stephen 36t 

Sides. George M 360 

Sides. Isaac 345 

Simpson, James 283 

Simpson, Josias 365 

S lover. Charles J 483 

Small, George 250 

Smith. Amos 265 

Smith. H. B .585 

Smith, J. O 309 

Smith, William H 545 

Snyder. S. M 260 

Snyder. William H 559 

Spalsbury.G. W., M. D 363 

Stadden. A. W , 555 

Stanton, J. J 33© 

Stauffer, Jacob E 315 

Stear. William 204 

Stears, John J 343 

Siears. Thomas 346 

Stears. William H 368 

Stewart, H. P 569 

Stone. B. N 385 

Stout, Reuben 347 

Stow, Silas 49' 

Stowell. Joseph C 3M 

Stull. Henry 4©4 

Sturgis, Amos 5>» 



•»-^^ 



«» II ^1 




INDEX. 



T.nylor, Z;ichary 63 

Tc.iUW. W 3S7 

Tccsdalc, Samuel 391 

Thcurcr, Lucas 546 

'I'homa, Andrew 578 

'1 homas, 1> E-, M. D 504 

I'horiiton, James 47a 

Thornton, Ur. 'I". F . .449 

Thur«ion. (-"teorge. 461 

Timmis, Charles ai6 

*1 obey. Nelson I 411 

Tro*!. John 377 

TtirnbuM, W. J 573 

Tyler, John 55 

X 

V;ilcntinc, Samuel 204 



Van Ruren, Manin 47 

Van Huren.W. H 593 

Vandermark, Jane 489 

Van Vorst, Abner J 393 

Voorhecs, A . H 457 



w 



Wagner, Emanuel 383 

Wait, Hon. J.G ao9 

Wakeman, Adam 391 

Wnlton. S A 533 

Ware, Elias 217 

Ware, Enoch 3a6 

Warren. Henry N 790 

Warren, J- O 353 

Wn*hineion. George iv 

Walk ins, William M 358 

Weinberg, B. F 493 



Weinberg* L. R 503 

Wellculcy. E. C 306 

Wells, Franklin 198 

WrlU. John M 384 

WelU. William H 333 

Wemplc. Merritt 476 

Wheeler. K. C 415 

While, n. L 4P8 

White. Levant E .-454 

While, Peter 931 

Wilcox. L. T ?....<94 

Willcmin, Elias R 593 

Williams, Dr. John R 464 

Willit-i, Hon. J. Warren 583 

Wisner, Rev. Alpheus 330 

Wisner, Moses 141 

Wolf. A. C 584 

Wolf. John F 6o3 

Wolf. Jonas 433 

Wolf, T. K 589 

Wolfe. Josiah 598 



Wood, James W 377 

Woodbridgc. William 109 

Woods, Frederick 473 

Worth innton. J. H 383 

Wo rih i ngton , W . L 550 

Wyandt.W. B 478 



Vaplc, Hon. George L 518 

Vauney, George . . .568 

Veaiter, Solomon 957 



Zink, J. B. 




^>+-C-' 



Adams, John aa 

Adams, J. Q 38 

Alser, Russell A 179 

Allman. Hon. William 388 

Arthur, Chester A 98 

Haehy. John J 156 

Baldwin. Henry P 153 

Barry, John S 1 19 

Begole, Jo*iah W 168 

Bingham, Kinsley S (36 

Bishop, J C 435 

Blair, Austin ...144 

Buchanan. Jame* .74 

Cleveland, S- G rover 100 



Crapo, Henry H 148 

CrosKwell, Charles M t6o 

Driggs, Hon. A. L aoo 

Felch. Alpheus 116 

Fillmore, Millard 66 

Flanders, Hon. J. W 406 

Garfield, James A 94 

Grant, Ulysses S 86 

Graves. Luther 316 

Greenly, William L, 130 

Harrison, Benjamin 106 

Harrison. W. H 50 

Hayes, Rutherford B 90 

Jackaon , A ndre w 49 



Jefferson, Thomas 36 

Jerome. David H 164 

Johnson, Andrew 83 

John-^on. James 370 

Johnson. Mrs. James 370 

Lincoln. Abraham... 78 

Luce. Cyrus Gray (76 

Madison. James .^o 

Mason. Stephen T 104 

McClelland, Robert ....138 

Miller, Adam 398 

Monroe, James 34 

Packard, Dr. I. F 186 

Parsons, Andrew 13a 



Pierce, Franklin 70 

Polk, James K sB 

Ransom. Epaphroditus 194 

Reitcrman, William 334 

Rifenbergh, L. C 153 

Rifenbeigh, M rs. L. C 353 

Taylor. Zachary .69 

Tyler. John 54 

Van Buren. Martin 46 

Voorhees. A . H 456 

Wait. Hon-^.G ao8 

Walton, S- A 533 

Washington, George »8 

Wi^ne^. Moses 140 

Woodbridgc, W'illiam 108 



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